The treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients represents a continuing discovery process with different levels of intensity as evaluated in a recent review of treatment options published in the supplement of the journal Cancer Control.

The main goals when treating high-risk MDS patients are to increase overall survival and delay progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Researchers also strive to improve quality of life through supportive care, achieve independence from red blood cell transfusions, and decrease symptoms.

Options for high-risk MDS patients are divided into high-intensity therapies, including stem…

The success of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients is determined by the stage of disease, rather than age or intensity of the pre-transplant regimen, according to a study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation, or allotransplantation, involves destroying patient bone marrow by chemotherapy or radiation and replacing it with healthy bone marrow from a matched donor.  Although this process is the only cure for MDS, it does not guarantee full recovery.

Transplants were previously not an option for older…

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is currently accepting input from the public about whether the Medicare program should be expanded to cover the cost of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. Submissions can be made on the CMS Web site through December 10.

Medicare coverage of bone marrow transplants, the only known curative treatment for MDS, is important because 80 percent of MDS patients are 65 or older. MDS patients typically respond best to allogeneic stem cell transplantation, where the bone…

Research published in the October issue of Bone Marrow Transplantation validates the use of a new grouping scheme based on cytogenetics of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients undergoing stem cell transplants.

Cytogenetics refers to the study of parts of the cell associated with heredity, specifically the chromosomes.

Current patient grouping schemes like the International Prognostic Scoring System are based on cytogenetics. A patient is placed in a certain group based on their chromosome abnormalities. Members of a patient group generally have similar prognoses and risks for…

Dr. Sergio Giralt, Professor at the Stem Cell Tranplantation Department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, suggests that the development of reduced-intensity drug regimens and other novel transplantation technologies permit the consideration of stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients who are older than 55 years. His findings were published in the September 2009 supplemental issue of Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.

The most common form of bone marrow transplantation for MDS patients is allogeneic stem cell transplantation, also called allotransplantation. This procedure involves…