Transfusion intensity, not the cumulative red blood cell transfusion burden, determines the prognosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome on chronic transfusion support

Usefulness of Genetic Aberration and Shorter Telomere Length in Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of genetic aberration and shorter telomere length (TL) in individuals with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

METHODS

A targeted sequencing panel with 49 genes and TL measurement by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed for 46 subjects.

RESULTS

According to the revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) subtypes, the mutation frequency was 33.3%, 57.9%, and 100% in the very low/low, intermediate, and very high/high risk groups, respectively. A shorter telomere was detected in 43.5%. We defined group 1 as IPSS-R-high or -very high risk, group 2 as having 1 or more genetic aberrations, group 3 as having a shorter TL, and group 4 as having a longer TL than the age-matched reference. Group 1 and group 2 showed an adverse prognosis. The TL was not strongly correlated with MDS prognosis. However, it may be related to a poor long-term prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Genetic variation and shorter TL may be helpful in reclassifying non-high-risk groups.

Impact of Lenalidomide Treatment on Overall Survival in Patients With Lower-Risk, Transfusion-Dependent Myelodysplastic Syndromes

BACKGROUND

For patients with lower-risk (LR) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), overall survival (OS) is rarely a primary clinical trial endpoint. Treatments such as lenalidomide can reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion burden (TB) and serum ferritin, but the long-term impact on OS remains undetermined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 3 trials evaluating lenalidomide in patients with LR-MDS (the phase 2 MDS-003 and phase 3 MDS-004 trials in del[5q]; the phase 3 trial MDS-005 in non-del[5q] patients) were pooled. Predictors of OS were assessed by multivariate analysis using time-dependent models for TB and RBC transfusion independence (RBC-TI), and a landmark analysis of RBC-TI at 17 weeks. Separate analyses using MDS-004 and MDS-005 data determined the relationship between OS and serum ferritin.

RESULTS

Median follow-up for MDS-003, MDS-004, and MDS-005 was 3.2, 3.0, and 1.7 years, respectively. In multivariate analyses, transfusion of ≥6 RBC units over 8 weeks was a significant predictor of shorter OS vs. 0 units in the time-dependent TB model (hazard ratio [HR] 4.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.32-6.52; P < .0001). RBC-TI achievement was associated with prolonged OS in the time-dependent (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.37-0.62; P < .0001) and landmark model (HR 0.57; 95% CI 0.44-0.75; P < .0001). Increased serum ferritin was associated with shorter OS (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

This analysis of prospective trial data in patients with LR-MDS confirms lenalidomide may improve OS by reducing TB and serum ferritin. OS should be considered as an endpoint in future lower risk MDS clinical trials.

High transferrin saturation predicts inferior clinical outcomes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Iron overload (IO) reflected by elevated ferritin is associated with increased mortality in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), however, ferritin is an imperfect metric. Elevated labile plasma iron correlates with clinical outcomes and transferrin saturation (TSAT) >80%, but is not readily measurable. The trajectory of TSAT, and its association with clinical outcomes remain undefined. Canadian MDS registry patients were evaluated. Mean TSAT, mean ferritin and transfusion dose density (TDD) were determined. Survival was evaluated by TSAT and ferritin (<50%, 50-80%, >80%), (≤500 μg/L, 501-800 μg/L, >800 μg/L). In 718 patients, median age was 74 years; 12%, 31%, 29%, 15% and 13% were IPSS-R very low, low, intermediate, high and very high. TSAT and ferritin were moderately correlated (r=0.63, P<0.0001). TSAT increased over time in transfusion- dependent patients (P=0.006). Higher TSAT and ferritin were associated with inferior 5-year overall (OS), progression- free (PFS), and leukemia-free survival (LFS) (P≤0.008) and higher TDD with inferior 5-year OS. TSAT >80% trended with inferior cardiac death-free survival (P=0.053). In univariate analysis, age, IPSS-R, blast percentage by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, frailty, Charlson Comorbidity Index, iron chelation (Y/N), TDD, TSAT and ferritin were significantly associated with inferior OS. By multivariable analysis, TSAT >80% (P=0.007) remained significant for OS (R2 30.3%). In MDS, TSAT >80% and ferritin >800 μg/L portended inferior OS, PFS and LFS. TSAT may indicate the presence of oxidative stress, and is readily measurable in a clinical setting. The relationship between TSAT and cardiac death-free survival warrants further study.

Red blood cell transfusion in myelodysplastic syndromes: A systematic review

Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) frequently receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions for anaemia resulting from ineffective erythropoiesis. While RBC transfusions may rapidly increase haemoglobin values, their impact on clinical and health services outcomes in MDS patients has not previously been summarized. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate risks and benefits of RBC transfusions in MDS patients. We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL) from inception through June 4, 2021 to identify studies reporting data on RBC transfusions in MDS patients. Full text publications that assessed RBC transfusions as an intervention and reported at least one clinical, laboratory, or healthcare outcome associated with transfusion were included. Study characteristics, transfusion information and transfusion-related outcomes were extracted and reported. We identified 1243 original studies, of which 38 met eligibility requirements and were included. Fourteen reported on survival following diagnosis of MDS, with the majority reporting poorer survival among patients receiving or requiring more frequent transfusions. Nine reported on transfusion-related iron overload and its complications. Other outcomes included rates of allo/autoimmunization and adverse transfusion reactions, and healthcare costs incurred by patients with a greater transfusion burden. Only two studies reported on symptom relief following transfusion. This review underscores transfusion dependence as a negative prognostic factor for MDS patients and highlights the paucity of evidence surrounding quality of life and symptom-related outcomes following RBC transfusions in this population. Further study of patient-important outcomes associated with transfusion in MDS patients is warranted to improve therapeutic recommendations and inform resource allocation.

Pretransplantation Red Blood Cell and Platelet Transfusion Burden in De Novo Myelodysplastic Syndrome Undergoing Allogeneic Transplantation

Most patients of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) require red blood cell (RBC) or platelet transfusion during their disease courses, which could cause an increased risk of iron overload and alloimmunization. However, it remains less clear whether pretransplantation RBC or platelet transfusion burden affects transplant outcomes in patients with MDS. The objective was to examine the significance of pretransplantation RBC and platelet transfusion burden on transplant outcomes after allogeneic HCT for adults with de novo MDS. We retrospectively evaluated the effect of pretransplantation RBC or platelet transfusion burden on transplant outcomes in a cohort of 1007 adult patients with de novo MDS treated by upfront allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) between 2006 and 2018. Both higher pretransplantation RBC and platelet transfusion burdens were significantly associated with higher overall mortality and relapse-related mortality, but not non-relapse mortality in the multivariate analysis. Higher pretransplantation RBC transfusion burden was also significantly associated with lower neutrophil, platelet, and reticulocyte recovery in the multivariate analysis. In summary, our study clearly demonstrated that a higher pretransplantation RBC and platelet transfusion burden was independently associated with higher overall mortality, relapse-related mortality, and lower hematopoietic recovery after allogeneic HCT for de novo MDS. Early allogeneic HCT should be considered for patients with de novo MDS who require RBC and platelet transfusion repeatedly.

The Clinical Significance of Iron Overload and Iron Metabolism in Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Myelodysplasticsyndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell diseases leading to an insufficient formation of functional blood cells. Disease-immanent factors as insufficient erythropoiesis and treatment-related factors as recurrent treatment with red blood cell transfusions frequently lead to systemic iron overload in MDS and AML patients. In addition, alterations of function and expression of proteins associated with iron metabolism are increasingly recognized to be pathogenetic factors and potential vulnerabilities of these diseases. Iron is known to be involved in multiple intracellular and extracellular processes. It is essential for cell metabolism as well as for cell proliferation and closely linked to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, iron can influence the course of clonal myeloid disorders, the leukemic environment and the occurrence as well as the defense of infections. Imbalances of iron homeostasis may induce cell death of normal but also of malignant cells. New potential treatment strategies utilizing the importance of the iron homeostasis include iron chelation, modulation of proteins involved in iron metabolism, induction of leukemic cell death via ferroptosis and exploitation of iron proteins for the delivery of antileukemic drugs. Here, we provide an overview of some of the latest findings about the function, the prognostic impact and potential treatment strategies of iron in patients with MDS and AML.

Impact of red blood cell transfusion dose density on progression-free survival in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

Progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) treated with red blood cell transfusions is usually reduced, but it is unclear whether transfusion dose density is an independent prognostic factor. The European MDS Registry collects prospective data at 6-monthly intervals from newly diagnosed lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes patients in 16 European countries and Israel. Data on the transfusion dose density - the cumulative dose received at the end of each interval divided by the time since the beginning of the interval in which the first transfusion was received - were analyzed using proportional hazards regression with time-varying co-variates, with death and progression to higher-risk MDS/acute myeloid leukemia as events. Of the 1,267 patients included in the analyses, 317 died without progression; in 162 patients the disease had progressed. PFS was significantly associated with age, EQ-5D index, baseline World Health Organization classification, bone marrow blast count, cytogenetic risk category, number of cytopenias, and country. Transfusion dose density was inversely associated with PFS (P<1×10⁻⁴): dose density had an increasing effect on hazard until a dose density of 3 units/16 weeks. The transfusion dose density effect continued to increase beyond 8 units/16 weeks after correction for the impact of treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, lenalidomide and/or iron chelators. In conclusion, the negative effect of transfusion treatment on PFS already occurs at transfusion densities below 3 units/16 weeks. This indicates that transfusion dependency, even at relatively low dose densities, may be considered as an indicator of inferior PFS. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00600860.

Early platelet count kinetics has prognostic value in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

Prognosis of lower-risk (International Prognostic Scoring System [IPSS] low/intermediate-1) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is heterogeneous and relies on steady-state assessment of cytopenias. We analyzed relative drops in neutrophil and platelet counts during the first 6 months of follow-up of lower-risk MDS patients. We performed a landmark analysis of overall survival (OS) of lower-risk MDS patients prospectively included in the European LeukaemiaNet MDS registry having a visit at 6 ± 1 month from inclusion to assess the prognostic relevance of relative drops in neutrophils and platelets, defined as (count at landmark - count at inclusion)/count at inclusion. Of 2102 patients, 807 were eligible for the stringent 6-month landmark analysis. Median age was 73 years. Revised IPSS was very low, low, and intermediate/higher in 26%, 43%, and 31% of patients, respectively. A relative drop in platelets >25% at landmark predicted shorter OS (5-year OS, 21.9% vs 48.6% with platelet drop ≤25%, P < 10^-4), regardless of baseline IPSS-revised or absolute platelet counts. Relative neutrophil drop >25% had no significant impact on OS. We built a classifier based on red blood cell transfusion dependence (RBC-TD) and relative platelet drop >25% at landmark. Patients with none (62%), either (27%), or both criteria (11%) had 5-year OS of 53.3%, 32.7%, and 9.0%, respectively (P < 10^-4). This classifier was validated in an independent cohort of 335 patients. Combining relative platelet drop >25% and RBC-TD at 6 months from diagnosis provides an inexpensive and noninvasive way to predict outcome in lower-risk MDS. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00600860.

The IPSS-R has prognostic impact in untreated patients with MDS del(5q)

The IPSS-R proved to be a powerful tool for the assessment of prognosis in MDS patients. We aimed at a validation of the IPSS-R for patients with MDS harboring deletion (5q) isolated or accompanied by additional aberrations. The study was based on 444 MDS patients from MDS centers in Europe. 67% of the patients were female, median age was 69 years. 43.5% had MDS del(5q), 5.9% were diagnosed with RCUD, 2.0% RARS, 18.4% RCMD, 14.6% RAEB-I and 15.5% RAEB-II. According to the IPSS-R, there were 9.9% very low, 39.6% low, 16.6% intermediate, 12.8% high, 20.9% very high risk patients. For very low risk patients survival was 7.5 years, low 9.0 years, intermediate 6.5 years, high 1.5 years and very high 0.7 years (p < 0.001). For low and intermediate risk, the probability of AML evolution was significantly different (p = 0.03) as well as for high versus very high risk groups (p = 0.002). The IPSS-R proved to be an appropriate prognostic tool for MDS with del(5q).

The Impact of Iron Overload in Acute Leukemia: Chronic Inflammation, But Not the Presence of Nontransferrin Bound Iron is a Determinant of Oxidative Stress

In the literature, studies on the oxidant effects of nontransferrin bound iron [NTBI (eLPI assay)] during chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloblastic leukemia are lacking. We established NTBI and oxidative stress determinants (OSD), iron parameters, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, liver tests, cumulative chemotherapeutic doses, and transfused blood in 36 children with acute leukemia throughout chemotherapy. These parameters were determined at the beginning and end of chemotherapy blocks (11 time points) and in 20 healthy children using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and colorimetric and fluorometric enzymatic methods. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, NTBI, OSD, and hs-CRP were higher than controls at 4/11, 7/11, and 9/11 time points (P<0.05). At 3 time points, NTBI and OSD concurrently increased. Ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, serum iron, and transferrin saturation were higher than in controls at 5 to 11/11 time points (P<0.05). Those with NTBI had higher iron parameters than those without NTBI (P<0.05), but showed similar OSD, hs-CRP, liver enzymes, cumulative chemotherapeutics, and transfused blood (P>0.05). OSD did not correlate with NTBI, but correlated with hs-CRP. In conclusion, NTBI is a poor predictor of OSD in acute leukemia possibly because of the heterogeneity of NTBI and chronic inflammation. Further studies are needed to delineate the pathophysiology of these diseases.

Prognostic pre-transplant factors in myelodysplastic syndromes primarily treated by high dose allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective study of the MDS subcommittee of the CMWP of the EBMT

Many pre-transplant factors are known to influence the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) treatment in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, patient cohorts are often heterogeneous by disease stage and treatment modalities, which complicates interpretation of the results. This study aimed to obtain a homogeneous patient cohort by including only de novo MDS patients who received upfront allogeneic SCT after standard high dose myelo-ablative conditioning. The effect of pre-transplant factors such as age, disease stage, transfusions, iron parameters and comorbidity on overall survival (OS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and relapse incidence (RI) was evaluated in 201 patients. In this cohort, characterized by low comorbidity and a short interval between diagnosis and transplantation, NRM was the most determinant factor for survival after SCT (47 % after 2-year follow-up). WHO classification and transfusion burden were the only modalities with a significant impact on overall survival after SCT. Estimated hazard ratios (HR) showed a strongly increased risk of death, NRM and RI, in patients with a high transfusion-burden (HR 1.99; P = 0.006, HR of 1.89; P = 0.03 and HR 2.67; P = 0.03). The HR's for ferritin level and comorbidity were not significantly increased.

Clinical Prognostic Factors in 86 Chinese Patients with Primary Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Trisomy 8: A Single Institution Experience

PURPOSE

The objective was to determine the characteristics and prognostic factors of 86 Chinese patients with trisomy 8 aberrations and compare the prognostic value of International Prognostic System (IPSS) and Revised IPSS (IPSS-R) in this cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 86 cases diagnosed with primary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with isolated tr8 or with tr8 and other additional cytogenetic aberrations diagnosed and treated at the Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between July 2002 and March 2013 were reviewed.

RESULTS

The median survival of the entire group was 23.0 months, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) developed in 43% (37/86) patients within the follow up time. The univariate analysis revealed that overall survival (OS) was correlated with age, thrombocytopenia, absolute neutrophil count, marrow blasts, cytogenetic status and red blood cell transfusion at diagnosis, and the multivariate analysis revealed that age, marrow blasts, cytogenetic status and transfusion dependence were independent parameters for the OS. The cytogenetic complexity and marrow blasts had the strongest impact on the AML transformation by multivariate analysis. Comparing the two prognostic systems, both two systems could successfully discriminate risk groups for survival. IPSS-R was more refined than IPSS for predicting OS, but had no advantage in predicting the risk of AML development.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the influence of clinical factors on the prognosis of 86 Chinese MDS patients with trisomy 8. In addition, IPSS-R can further refine prognostic discrimination in the IPSS risk categories.

Early lenalidomide treatment for low and intermediate-1 International Prognostic Scoring System risk myelodysplastic syndromes with del(5q) before transfusion dependence

Lenalidomide is approved for the treatment of transfusion-dependent (TD) del(5q) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, few data are available in patients with transfusion-independent (TI) del(5q) MDS. In the first, observational, part of this 2-part study, we assessed the impact of transfusion dependence on overall survival (OS) and non-leukemic death in untreated del(5q) MDS patients who were TD (n = 136), TI with hemoglobin (Hb) ≥10 mg/dL (n = 88), or TI with Hb <10 mg/dL (n = 96). In the second, interventional, part we assessed the quality-of-life (QoL) benefits and clinical efficacy of lenalidomide (10 mg/day) in 12 patients with TI del(5q) MDS and Hb <10 mg/dL. In the untreated population, OS was significantly longer in TI than in TD patients (TI [Hb ≥10 g/dL], 108 months; TI [Hb <10 g/dL], 77 months; TD, 44 months). Transfusion dependence also negatively impacted non-leukemic death rates. In the interventional part of the study, baseline Hb levels were found to correlate significantly with physical (R = 0.666, P = 0.035) and fatigue (R = 0.604, P = 0.049) QoL scores. Median physical QoL scores improved significantly after 12 weeks' treatment with lenalidomide (+12.5; P = 0.020). Evaluable TI patients experienced early increases in Hb levels, and all attained an erythroid response. Our findings suggest that TI patients with moderate anemia may benefit from early treatment with lenalidomide.

Initial transfusion intensity predicts survival in myelodysplastic syndrome

We evaluated 52 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who had received at least one red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. In the 4-week period following the first transfusion, 24 patients (group 1) required no transfusion, while 28 (group 2) required transfusion of two or more units of RBCs. Survival was greater in group 1 (440 weeks vs. 167 weeks, p < 0.01), even when only international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) low and intermediate-1 risk patients were analyzed (median overall survival 491 vs. 170 weeks, p < 0.05), independent of age, IPSS and progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The intensity of transfusion required in the first few weeks after the first transfusion predicts disease severity and correlates with survival.

Review of therapeutic options and the management of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a poorly understood group of disorders caused by one or more genetic aberrations in the bone marrow-derived cell line responsible for hematopoiesis. Recent advances in genetic medicine have offered new insights into the epigenesis as well as the prognosis of MDS, but have not resulted in new or improved curative treatment options. Bone marrow transplantation, introduced before the advent of genetic medicine, is still the only potential cure. Advances in other medical and pharmaceutical areas have broadened the scope of supportive care and disease-modifying therapies, and treating physicians now have a broad range of disease management options depending on a patient's likely prognosis. There is now clear evidence that appropriate supportive care and therapeutic intervention can improve progression-free and overall survival of MDS patients.

Prognostic scoring systems in MDS

Prognostic scoring systems in myelodysplastic syndromes are useful tools in order to get in idea on the expected course of the disease and offer patients a risk adapted treatment. Several good scores have been developed, the international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) being the gold standard for 15 years, now validated and refined. As more and more patients receive therapy and drugs are approved, the major goal for future projects must be the identification of predictive parameters and scoring systems in order to predict the response and outcome after specific treatments.