Real-life use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in myelodysplastic syndromes: a "Gruppo Romano Mielodisplasie (GROM)" multicenter study

A Systematic Literature Review of Predictors of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Failure in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are the first-line treatment option for anemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS). A systematic literature review was conducted to identify evidence of the association between prognostic factors and ESA response/failure in LR-MDS. MEDLINE, Embase, and relevant conferences were searched systematically for studies assessing the association between prognostic factors and ESA response/failure in adult patients. Of 1566 citations identified, 38 were included. Patient risk status in studies published from 2000 onwards was commonly assessed using the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) or revised IPSS. ESA response was generally assessed using the International Working Group MDS criteria. Among the included studies, statistically significant relationships were found, in both univariate and multivariate analyses, between ESA response and the following prognostic factors: higher hemoglobin levels, lower serum erythropoietin levels, and transfusion independence. Furthermore, other prognostic factors such as age, bone marrow blasts, serum ferritin level, IPSS risk status, and karyotype status did not demonstrate statistically significant relationships with ESA response. This systematic literature review has confirmed prognostic factors of ESA response/failure. Guidance to correctly identify patients with these characteristics could be helpful for clinicians to provide optimal treatment.

Response Assessment to Erythropoietin-Zeta (Epo-Alpha Biosimilar) Therapy in Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Background. This prospective observational study aimed to verify the efficacy of erythropoietin zeta in the treatment of patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Methods. Patients with low/int-1 IPSS risk and serum erythropoietin level below 500 U/L were enrolled. Treatment consisted of erythropoietin zeta 40,000 U subcutaneously once a week. The primary endpoint was the erythroid response. According to Simon’s two-stage statistical design, 36 patients were recruited. The median age was 75 years (range 56–83 years), male/female ratio was 1.1/1, median baseline serum erythropoietin was 57.9 U/L (range 9.4–475 U/L). 53% of patients had low-risk disease, while the remaining had Int-1 risk. Results. After 8 weeks, a significant response (rise in Hb levels of at least 1.5 g/dL) was achieved in 18 patients (50%) out of 36. However, 17 patients did not improve; 8/17 patients pursued the 40,000 U weekly schedule of erythropoietin zeta, and 4/8 (50%) of them reached the erythroid response after 16 weeks. Nine patients underwent dosage doubling (40,000 U twice per week), and 5/9 (55%) of them achieved the erythroid response. Conclusion. Compared with data from the literature, this prospective study revealed that EPO-zeta is a safe and effective therapeutic option in low-risk MDS patients.

Cui bono? Finding the value of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

Introduction: The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) vary in their risk of disease progression; progression includes increasingly severe bone marrow failure, reclassification as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and death. Prognostic tools guide recommendations for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), the only curative option. AlloSCT is typically reserved for patients with higher-risk MDS as defined by existing prognostic tools, although additional clinical and biological factors in lower-risk patients may influence this dogma.Areas covered: This review discusses the current understanding of MDS risk stratification as it pertains to the use of alloSCT in subpopulations of MDS patients with a particular focus on the use of alloSCT in patients with lower-risk disease.Expert commentary: Though high-quality data are lacking, some lower-risk MDS patients may benefit from alloSCT, which offers the only prospect of cure. Understanding the etiologic role and prognostic impact of recurring genetic events may improve existing risk stratification and become integral facets of prognostic schemata. The identification of additional factors influencing the prognoses of patients currently lumped together as 'lower-risk' will likewise improve the selection of MDS patients for early intervention or aggressive therapies such as alloSCT.

Treatment of Anemia in Transfusion-Dependent and Non-Transfusion-Dependent Lower-Risk MDS: Current and Emerging Strategies

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of bone marrow disorders with a highly diverse clinical course. For lower-risk MDS patients, therapeutic objectives aim to correct chronic anemia and improve/maintain health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, disease burden is often insufficiently recognized, and although some patients do not respond/lose response to standard treatment, many are treated late. This is the case for non-transfusion-dependent patients with symptomatic anemia, in whom delayed treatment initiation may lead to unnecessary morbidity. Current active treatment options for lower-risk MDS are limited. Standard care for lower-risk 5q deletion [del(5q)] MDS patients with anemia remains supportive, consisting of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, iron chelation therapy, and treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in the case of low serum erythropoietin levels. Response rates to ESAs range from 15% to 63%, whereas 56% to 67% of patients with del(5q) MDS achieve RBC transfusion independence with lenalidomide. Treatment options for patients’ refractory to ESAs and/or lenalidomide, however, are limited. Frequent transfusions are associated with profound clinical, HRQoL, and economic consequences for transfusion-dependent patients. This review focuses on the multiple unmet clinical needs that exist in the treatment of anemia associated with lower-risk MDS and the current and future treatment options that may improve disease management and patient outcomes.

Effects of different doses of erythropoietin in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A propensity score-matched analysis

Background

Erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents effectively improve the hemoglobin levels in a fraction of anemic patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Higher doses (HD) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) have been proposed to overcome suboptimal response rates observed in MDS patients treated with lower “standard doses” (SD) of rhEPO. However, a direct comparison between the different doses of rhEPO is lacking.

Methods

A cohort of 104 MDS patients treated with HD was retrospectively compared to 208 patients treated with SD in a propensity score‐matched analysis to evaluate hematological improvement‐erythroid (HI‐E) rate induced by the different doses of rhEPO. The impact of rhEPO doses on survival and progression to leukemia was also investigated.

Results

Overall HI‐E rate was 52.6%. No difference was observed between different rhEPO doses (P = .28) in matched cohorts; in a subgroup analysis, transfusion‐dependent patients and patients with higher IPSS‐R score obtained a higher HI‐E rate with HD, although without significant impact on overall survival (OS). Achievement of HI‐E resulted in superior OS. At univariate analysis, a higher HI‐E rate was observed in transfusion‐independent patients (P < .001), with a lower IPSS‐R score (P < .001) and lower serum EPO levels (P = .027). Multivariate analysis confirmed that rhEPO doses were not significantly related to HI‐E (P = .26). There was no significant difference in OS or progression to leukemia in patients treated with HD vs SD.

Conclusion

SD are substantially equally effective to HD to improve anemia and influencing survival in MDS patients stratified according to similar propensity to be exposed to rhEPO treatment.

Epoetin β pegol (continuous erythropoietin receptor activator, CERA) is another choice for the treatment of anemia in myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report

Background

In most patients, anemia is present when myelodysplastic syndrome is diagnosed. Although darbepoetin α is the first-choice supportive therapy for low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, half of all patients develop a loss of response to darbepoetin α within 12 months. However, few reports have described supportive therapy after the loss of response to darbepoetin α.

Case presentation

We herein present a case involving a 65-year-old Japanese woman with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome whose erythropoiesis-stimulating agent treatment was switched from darbepoetin α to epoetin β pegol (continuous erythropoietin receptor activator) to treat transfusion-dependent anemia. The frequent transfusions required to treat the anemia resulted in transfusion-associated circulatory overload. The transfusion-dependent anemia was initially treated with darbepoetin α, which negated the requirement for transfusion. However, after 12 months of darbepoetin α therapy, the hemoglobin concentration sharply declined. We switched her therapy from darbepoetin α to continuous erythropoietin receptor activator to avoid transfusion. After initiation of continuous erythropoietin receptor activator therapy, the hemoglobin concentration gradually increased and transfusion was not required. At the time of writing, no progression of the anemia had occurred.

Conclusions

Although darbepoetin α is the first-choice supportive therapy for low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, continuous erythropoietin receptor activator might be considered the second-choice therapy.