Predictive factors of response and survival in myelodysplastic syndrome treated with erythropoietin and G-CSF: the GFM experience

Treatment of myelofibrosis with refractory anemia with luspatercept: a multicenter Chinese study

Myelofibrosis is a rare and often fatal hematological neoplasm, and the treatment of myelofibrosis-associated anemia remains suboptimal, with no improved therapies. Luspatercept was shown to display some efficacy in a phase 2 clinical trial for Myelofibrosis with anemia, yet relevant research are limited. Threrfore, data from patients diagnosed with refractory anemic primary or post-essential thrombocythemia/polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, who were treated with luspatercept for at least 9 weeks, were retrospectively collected. Eighteen patients with myelofibrosis treated with luspatercept were enrolled. Median age was 68 years (range, 44-80 years), and 27.8% were males. Ten (55.6%) were transfusion-dependent. Ten (55.6%) were Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate-1, and eight (44.4%) were intermediate-2. The median follow-up was 7 (4-16) months. Erythroid response occurred in eight patients (44.4%) at week 12, four patients (30.8%) at week 24, and nine (50%) at the end of follow-up. Patients who were transfusion-dependent and not transfusion-dependent had similar HI-E responses, at different time points (P > 0.05). Patients had a significantly higher hemoglobin level at 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and at the end of follow-up, than at baseline (P = 0.001, P = 0.021, and P = 0.005, respectively). Treatment-related adverse events occurred in five (16.7%) patients, with no serious adverse events. Two (11.1%) patients relapsed at weeks 15 and 31. One patient progressed to acute myeloid leukemia. No patients had died by the end of follow-up. Luspatercept induced a good response in patients with anemic myelofibrosis, with a low relapse rate and good tolerance.

Outcomes and effect of somatic mutations after erythropoiesis stimulating agents in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

Background

Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) are the first-line therapy in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS). Some predictive factors for ESAs response have been identified. Type and number of somatic mutations have been associated with prognosis and response to therapies in MDS patients.

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate the outcomes after ESAs in patients with LR-MDS and to address the potential predictive value of somatic mutations in ESAs-treated patients.

Design

Multi-center retrospective study of a cohort of 722 patients with LR-MDS included in the SPRESAS (Spanish Registry of Erythropoietic Stimulating Agents Study) study. Retrospective analysis of 65 patients with next generation sequencing (NGS) data from diagnosis.

Methods

ESAs' efficacy and safety were evaluated in patients receiving ESAs and best supportive care (BSC). To assess the potential prognostic value of somatic mutations in erythroid response (ER) rate and outcome, NGS was performed in responders and non-responders.

Results

ER rate for ESAs-treated patients was 65%. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) level <200 U/l was the only variable significantly associated with a higher ER rate (odds ratio, 2.45; p = 0.036). Median overall survival (OS) in patients treated with ESAs was 6.7 versus 3.1 years in patients receiving BSC (p < 0.001). From 65 patients with NGS data, 57 (87.7%) have at least one mutation. We observed a trend to a higher frequency of ER among patients with a lower number of mutated genes (40.4% in <3 mutated genes versus 22.2% in ⩾3; p = 0.170). The presence of ⩾3 mutated genes was also significantly associated with worse OS (hazard ratio, 2.8; p = 0.015), even in responders. A higher cumulative incidence of acute myeloid leukemia progression at 5 years was also observed in patients with ⩾3 mutated genes versus <3 (33.3% and 10.7%, respectively; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This large study confirms the beneficial effect of ESAs and the adverse effect of somatic mutations in patients with LR-MDS.

Atypical CML: diagnosis and treatment

Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) is included in the group of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms by the International Consensus Classification and has been renamed as MDS/MPN with neutrophilia by the fifth edition of World Health Organization classification. It is always characterized by morphologic identification of granulocytic dysplasia with >10% circulating immature myeloid cells, 2 distinguished features that differentiate this disease among the others. Somatic mutations may help to diagnose but are not specifically pathognomonic of the disease, with the most detected including ASXL1, SETBP1, NRAS, KRAS, SRSF2, and TET2 and with low-frequency CBL, CSF3R, JAK2, and ETNK1. The genomic landscape of aCML has been recently unravelling, revealing that SETBP1 and ETNK1 are usually not ancestral but secondary events associated with disease progression. Unfortunately, until now, no consensus on risk stratification and treatment has been developed: Mayo Clinic prognostic score identified as adverse events age >67 years, hemoglobin level <10  g/dL, and TET2 mutations. Although some possible genetic markers have been identified, allogeneic transplant remains the only curative strategy.

[Treatment of lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes]

For low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, the goal of treatment is to correct cytopenias or their consequences. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have an important role in the management of anemia. In this chapter, we will detail the response to ESAs, the factors predictive of response to ESAs. However, the search for new therapeutic options for low-risk, ESA-resistant MDS remains necessary as the incidence of AML transformation of the patients is higher. We can retain luspatercept for MDS with excess ring of sideroblasts, lenalidomide, and some molecules currently being tested such as imetelstat or roxedustat. However, the search for new therapeutic options for ESA-resistant low-risk MDS remains necessary. We can use androgenotherapy or TPO agonists in limited access for symptomatic thrombocytopenia.

Long-Term Efficacy of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Patients with Low-Risk or Intermediate-1-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Multicenter Real-Life Data

Objective

This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in a real-life setting.

Materials and Methods

A total of 204 patients with low-risk or intermediate-1-risk MDS who received epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa were included. Hemoglobin levels and transfusion needs were recorded before treatment and at 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months of treatment.

Results

At the 36-month (p=0.025) and 48-month (p=0.022) visits, epoetin alfa yielded significantly higher hemoglobin levels compared to darbepoetin alfa. Transfusion needs were also significantly lower with epoetin alfa compared to darbepoetin alfa at 24 months (p=0.012) and in the low-risk group compared to the intermediate-risk group at 24 months (p=0.018), 36 months (p=0.025), and 48 months (p<0.001). Treatment response rates at the 24-month, 36-month, and 48-month visits in the epoetin alfa (43.0%, 33.6%, and 27.1%), darbepoetin alfa (29.9%, 22.7%, and 16.5%), low-risk (39.3%, 30.0%, and 26.0%), and intermediate-risk (29.6%, 24.1%, and 11.1%) groups were lower than those obtained at 12 months, and the values differed significantly for the 36-month and 48-month visits with values ranging from p<0.05 to p<0.001.

Conclusion

This real-life long-term ESA extension study investigated the clinical efficacy of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa for up to 48 months, revealing that treatment efficacy reached a plateau starting from the 24th month of therapy with a continuing decrease in treatment response rates regardless of treatment type, risk status, or gender. Nonetheless, significantly higher hemoglobin levels and marked improvement in transfusion needs were evident in epoetin-treated patients compared to darbepoetin-treated patients and in the low-risk group compared to the intermediate-risk group.

Evolution of Therapeutic Benefit Measurement Criteria in Myelodysplastic Syndromes/Neoplasms

ABSTRACT

Myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) are heterogeneous, clonal myeloid neoplasms characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, progressive cytopenias, and an increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia. The diversity in disease severity, morphology, and genetic landscape challenges not only novel drug development but also therapeutic response assessment. The MDS International Working Group (IWG) response criteria were first published in the year 2000 focusing on measures of blast burden reduction and hematologic recovery. Despite revision of the IWG criteria in 2006, correlation between IWG-defined responses and patient-focused outcomes, including long-term benefits, remains limited and has potentially contributed to failures of several phase III clinical trials. Several IWG 2006 criteria also lacked clear definitions leading to problems in practical applications and interobserver and intraobserver consistency of response reporting. Although the 2018 revision addressed lower-risk MDS, the most recent update in 2023 redefined responses for higher-risk MDS and has set out to provide clear definitions to enhance consistency while focusing on clinically meaningful outcomes and patient-centered responses. In this review, we analyze the evolution of the MDS response criteria, limitations, and areas of improvement.

How I Manage Transplant Ineligible Patients with Myelodysplastic Neoplasms

Myelodysplastic neoplasms, formerly known as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), represent a group of clonal disorders characterized by a high degree of clinical and molecular heterogeneity, and an invariable tendency to progress to acute myeloid leukemia. MDS typically present in the elderly with cytopenias of different degrees and bone marrow dysplasia, the hallmarks of the disease. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the sole curative approach to date. Nonetheless, given the disease’s demographics, only a minority of patients can benefit from this procedure. Currently used prognostic schemes such as the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (R-IPSS), and most recently the molecular IPSS (IPSS-M), guide clinical management by dividing MDS into two big categories: lower- and higher-risk cases, based on a cut-off score of 3.5. The main clinical problem of the lower-risk group is represented by the management of cytopenias, whereas the prevention of secondary leukemia progression is the goal for the latter. Herein, we discuss the non-transplant treatment of MDS, focusing on current practice and available therapeutic options, while also presenting new investigational agents potentially entering the MDS therapeutic arsenal in the near future.

Lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: Current treatment options for anemia

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematological disorders. Treatment options are classified and defined by prognostic risk based on the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and, more recently, the revised IPSS (IPSS-R). The treatment goal for lower-risk MDS is to correct cytopenias or their consequences, with the goal of maintaining or improving quality of life. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) play an important role in treating anemia. Individuals with MDS who have a 5q deletion are particularly sensitive to treatment with lenalidomide; however, this comprises the minority of patients with MDS. Luspatercept was recently approved in the United States and the European Union for the treatment of ESA-refractory MDS with ring sideroblasts. Research into new treatment options, especially after ESA failure, is needed. In this review, we will focus on the current therapeutic options for MDS-related anemia.

Red blood cell transfusion burden in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with ring Sideroblasts (RS): A retrospective multicenter study by the Groupe Francophone des Myélodysplasies (GFM)

BACKGROUND

MDS-RS patients are characterized by chronic anemia and a low risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) progression and they generally become Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion dependent (TD).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective "real-life" observational study of 6 months in 100 MDS-RS TD patients, recruited in 12 French centers, to describe transfusion characteristics, and evaluate the frequency and causes of hospitalizations, health costs, and morbidity, associated with transfusion dependency, in a French population of RBC transfusion-dependent MDS-RS patients.

RESULTS

79% of the patients had high transfusion burden (HTB) and 21% low transfusion burden (LTB). HTB patients had a longer disease duration (6 vs. 3.7 years, p = 0.0078), more frequent iron chelation (82% vs. 50%, p = 0.0052) and higher serum ferritin (p = 0.03). During the 6-month study period, 22% of the patients required inpatient hospitalization, 36% of them for symptomatic anemia requiring emergency RBC transfusion. The 6-month median transfusion costs, including the cost of the day care facility, transportation to and from the hospital, iron chelation, and lab tests, was 16,188€/patient.

DISCUSSION

MDS-RS represents the archetypal type of chronically transfused lower-risk MDS. Most of those patients have a high transfusion burden and thus frequently need visits to the hospital's day care facility, and frequent hospitalizations, with an overall high median treatment cost. Those costs should be compared with costs of new treatments potentially able to avoid RBC transfusion dependence and to reduce the complications of chronic anemia in MDS-RS patients.

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.

Targeting low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with novel therapeutic strategies

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of hematopoietic disorders with limited treatment options. Anemia is a common symptom in MDS, and although erythropoiesis-stimulating agents such as erythropoietin, lenalidomide, and luspatercept are available to treat anemia, many MDS patients do not respond to these first-line therapies. Therefore, alternative drug development strategies are needed to improve therapeutic efficacy. Splicing modulators to correct splicing-related defects have shown promising results in clinical trials. Targeting differentiation of early erythroid progenitors to increase the erythroid output in MDS is another novel approach, which has shown encouraging results at the pre-clinical stage. Together, these therapeutic strategies provide new avenues to target MDS symptoms untreatable previously.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes in the Postgenomic Era and Future Perspectives for Precision Medicine

Simple Summary

With demographic ageing, improved cancer survivorship and increased diagnostic sensitivity, incident cases of patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are continuously rising, leading to a relevant impact on health care resources. Disease heterogeneity and various comorbidities are challenges for the management of the generally elderly patients. Therefore, experienced physicians and multidisciplinary teams should be involved in the establishment of the correct diagnosis, risk-assessment and personalized treatment plan. Next-generation sequencing allows for early detection of clonal hematopoiesis and monitoring of clonal evolution, but also poses new challenges for its appropriate use. At present, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative treatment option for a minority of fit MDS patients. All others receive palliative treatment and will eventually progress, having an unmet need for novel therapies. Targeting compounds are in prospect for precision medicine, however, abrogation of clonal evolution to acute myeloid leukemia remains actually out of reach.

Abstract

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a heterogeneous group of clonal disorders caused by sequential accumulation of somatic driver mutations in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). MDS is characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis with cytopenia, dysplasia, inflammation, and a variable risk of transformation into secondary acute myeloid leukemia. The advent of next-generation sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic basis of the disease. Nevertheless, the biology of clonal evolution remains poorly understood, and the stochastic genetic drift with sequential accumulation of genetic hits in HSPCs is individual, highly dynamic and hardly predictable. These continuously moving genetic targets pose substantial challenges for the implementation of precision medicine, which aims to maximize efficacy with minimal toxicity of treatments. In the current postgenomic era, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative option for younger and fit MDS patients. For all unfit patients, regeneration of HSPCs stays out of reach and all available therapies remain palliative, which will eventually lead to refractoriness and progression. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in our understanding of MDS pathophysiology and its impact on diagnosis, risk-assessment and disease monitoring. Moreover, we present ongoing clinical trials with targeting compounds and highlight future perspectives for precision medicine.

The Clinical Efficacy of Epoetin Alfa and Darbepoetin Alfa in Patients with Low-Risk or Intermediate-1-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Retrospective Multi-center Real-Life Study

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the real-life setting. A total of 204 patients with low-risk or intermediate-1-risk MDS who received epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa were included. Hemoglobin levels and transfusion need were recorded before and during 12-month treatment. Hemoglobin levels were significantly higher at each follow up visit when compared to baseline levels in both epoetin alfa (mean ± SD 8.68 ± 1.0 g/dL at baseline vs. 9.83 ± 1.45, 9.99 ± 1.55, 10.24 ± 1.77 and 10.2 ± 1.5 g/dL, respectively) and darbepoetin alfa (8.83 ± 1.09 g/dL at baseline vs. 9.62 ± 1.37, 9.78 ± 1.49, 9.9 ± 1.39 and 10.1 ± 1.5 g/dL, respectively) groups (p < 0.001 for each). Transfusion need significantly decreased from baseline at each study visit in the epoetin alfa group (p < 0.001) and only at the 12th month visit (p < 0.001) in the darbepoetin alfa group. Hemoglobin levels or transfusion need was similar between treatment groups. Overall, 12-month response rate was 58.1% for epoetin alfa and 41.9% for darbepoetin alfa, with no significant difference between treatment groups, whereas higher response rate was noted within the first three months (62.7%) compared to next 9 months (ranged 44.4-60%) of treatment in the epoetin alfa group (p ranged 0.002 to < 0.001). This real-life retrospective study revealed similar efficacy of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa among low risk or intermediate-1 risk MDS patients with no difference in treatment response between treatment groups, whereas a likelihood of earlier treatment response in the epoetin alfa group.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12288-021-01458-1.

Current Therapy of the Patients with MDS: Walking towards Personalized Therapy

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, dysplasia and peripheral cytopenias. Nowadays, MDS therapy is selected based on risk. The goals of therapy are different in low-risk and high-risk patients. In low-risk MDS, the goal is to decrease transfusion needs and to increase the quality of life. Currently, available drugs for newly diagnosed low-risk MDS include growth factor support, lenalidomide and immunosuppressive therapy. Additionally, luspatercept has recently been added to treat patients with MDS with ring sideroblasts, who are not candidates or have lost the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Treatment of high-risk patients is aimed to improve survival. To date, the only currently approved treatments are hypomethylating agents and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, the future for MDS patients is promising. In recent years, we are witnessing the emergence of multiple treatment combinations based on hypomethylating agents (pevonedistat, magrolimab, eprenetapopt, venetoclax) that have proven to be effective in MDS, even those with high-risk factors. Furthermore, the approval in the US of an oral hypomethylating agent opens the door to exclusively oral combinations for these patients and their consequent impact on the quality of life of these patients. Relapsed and refractory patients remain an unmet clinical need. We need more drugs and clinical trials for this profile of patients who have a dismal prognosis.

Risk-Adapted, Individualized Treatment Strategies of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) are two distinct blood cancers with a variable clinical symptom burden and risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Management decisions should be guided by individual patient and disease characteristics and based on validated risk stratification tools. While supportive care with red blood cell transfusions, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and iron chelation remains the mainstay of therapy for lower-risk (LR)-MDS patients, luspatercept has recently been approved for transfusion-dependent anemic LR-MDS patients ending a decade without any new drug approvals for MDS. For higher-risk patients, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) remains the only curative therapy for both MDS and CMML but most patients are not eligible for allo-HCT. For those patients, the hypomethylating agents (HMA) azacitidine and decitabine remain standard of care with azacitidine being the only agent that has shown an overall survival benefit in randomized trials. Although early results from novel molecularly driven agents such as IDH1/2 inhibitors, venetoclax, magrolimab, and APR-246 for MDS as well as tagraxofusp, tipifarnib, and lenzilumab for CMML appear encouraging, confirmatory randomized trials must be completed to fully assess their safety and efficacy prior to routine clinical use. Herein, we review the current management of MDS and CMML and conclude with a critical appraisal of novel therapies and general trends in this field.

Myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) and MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm with RS and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T) - "2021 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management"

DISEASE OVERVIEW

Ring sideroblasts (RS) are erythroid precursors with abnormal perinuclear mitochondrial iron accumulation. Two myeloid neoplasms defined by the presence of RS, include myelodysplastic syndromes with RS (MDS-RS) and MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm with RS and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T).

DIAGNOSIS

MDS-RS is a lower risk MDS, with single or multilineage dysplasia (MDS-RS-SLD/MLD), <5% bone marrow (BM) blasts, <1% peripheral blood blasts and ≥15% BM RS (≥5% in the presence of SF3B1 mutations). MDS/MPN-RS-T, now a formal entity in the MDS/MPN overlap syndromes, has diagnostic features of MDS-RS-SLD, along with a platelet count ≥450 × 10⁹ /L and large atypical megakaryocytes.

MUTATIONS AND KARYOTYPE

Mutations in SF3B1 are seen in ≥80% of patients with MDS-RS-SLD and MDS/MPN-RS-T, and strongly correlate with the presence of BM RS; MDS/MPN-RS-T patients also demonstrate JAK2V617F (50%), DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 mutations. Cytogenetic abnormalities are uncommon in both.

RISK STRATIFICATION

Most patients with MDS-RS-SLD are stratified into lower risk groups by the revised-IPSS. Disease outcome in MDS/MPN-RS-T is better than that of MDS-RS-SLD, but worse than that of essential thrombocythemia (MPN). Both diseases are associated with a low risk of leukemic transformation.

TREATMENT

Anemia and iron overload are complications seen in both and are managed similar to lower risk MDS and MPN. Luspatercept, a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent is now approved for the management of anemia in patients with MDS-RS and MDS/MPN-RS-T. Aspirin therapy is reasonable in MDS/MPN-RS-T, especially in the presence of JAK2V617F, but the value of platelet-lowering drugs remains to be defined.

CD34-Positive Blast Count and p53 Expression in Bone Marrow Biopsies of Patients with Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Potential Predictive Tools of Response to Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents

INTRODUCTION

The first-line therapy for patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) commonly consists of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs), with a response rate ranging from 34 to 62%. For nonresponder patients, outside clinical trials, blood transfusions are the most frequent therapeutic option, with detrimental effect on the quality of life and with risks of iron-overload. Since no studies have been yet conducted on this topic, we investigated the potential predictive role of bone marrow (BM) histological evaluation in patients treated with ESAs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a morphological and immunohistochemical retrospective analysis of BM biopsies of 96 patients with low-risk MDSs subsequently treated with ESAs.

RESULTS

In our series, substantial morphological overlap was found between responder and nonresponder patients. On the contrary, patients with a percentage of CD34-positive blasts >3% or with p53 protein expression <1% responded with a significantly higher frequency to ESAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reinforces the role of BM biopsy as diagnostic tool in MDSs, being also able to supply information related to response to ESAs and to its loss over time.

Clinical Management of Anemia in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: An Update on Emerging Therapeutic Options

For the majority of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS), one of the primary clinical goals is to alleviate the symptoms associated with the resultant cytopenias and to minimize the transfusion burden. While supportive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) may lead to clinical improvement, frequent transfusions are often complicated by iron overload and decreased quality of life; furthermore, most patients either do not respond to ESAs or will eventually develop resistance. As such, there is a great need for further therapeutic options in the management of anemia related to MDS. Several additional therapeutics are now available in select patients with LR-MDS and symptomatic anemia including luspatercept, lenalidomide, and immunosuppressive therapy. Furthermore, several novel agents are currently in development to address this area of clinical need such as imetelstat and roxadustat. In this article, we review the currently available therapeutic options for symptomatic anemia in LR-MDS as well as review the therapeutic agents in development.

Treatment options for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Where are we now?

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a spectrum of clonal stem-cell disorders characterized clinically by bone-marrow failure. Resultant cytopenias are responsible for significant mortality and decreased quality of life in patients with MDS. In patients with low-risk MDS (LR-MDS), anemia is the most common cytopenia and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are usually used as first-line therapy. Those patients who become refractory to ESA have a poor survival. Available treatment options such as lenalidomide, hypomethylating agents, and immunosuppressive therapy can provide some hematologic response among selected subsets of patients, however durable responses are limited, and these agents can carry significant adverse effects. Chronic transfusions help to alleviate symptoms of anemia but still carry risks associated with transfusion and iron overload. Luspatercept, recently approved for those LR-MDS with ring sideroblasts refractory to ESA, was found to have an improvement in transfusion independence with a well-tolerated safety profile. While anemia is the most common cytopenia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia management is challenging and the co-occurrence of these cytopenias with anemia may dictate the choice of therapy. In this article, we review LR-MDS and discuss the optimal use of current treatment options and explore new therapeutic options on the horizon.

Discontinuation of the renin-angiotensin system inhibitors improves erythropoiesis in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) has been related to anemia in various situations. We aimed to investigate whether discontinuation of RAS inhibitors improves erythropoiesis in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDSs). Seventy-four patients with LR-MDS were divided into three groups matched for gender and age. Group A consisted of 20 hypertensive patients who discontinued RAS inhibitors and received alternative medications. Group B consisted of 26 patients who continued to receive ACEi/ARB and Group C included 28 patients (50% hypertensive) never exposed to ACEi/ARB. Half of the patients in each group were under treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). Data were collected at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months. Group A showed a significant increase in hemoglobin from 10.4 ± 1g/dL at baseline to 12.6 ± 1.2 g/dL after 12 months (p = 0.035) and in hematocrit (31.4 ± 3% versus 37.9 ± 4%, p = 0.002). Incident anemia decreased from 100% at baseline to 60% at 12 months (p = 0.043) despite a concomitant dose reduction in rHuEPO by 18% (p = 0.035). No changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit were observed in both Group B and Group C. In the subset of patients not treated with rHuEPO, improvement of erythropoiesis was found only in Group A, as measured by changes in hemoglobin (11.5 ± 1 g/dL versus 12.4 ± 1.3 g/dL, p = 0.041) and hematocrit (34.5 ± 3% versus 37.1 ± 4%, p = 0.038) after 12 months. In contrast, Group B and Group C decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit after 12 months (p < 0.05). In conclusion, discontinuation of ACEi/ARB in LR-MDS patients is followed by a significant recovery of erythropoiesis after 12 months.

[A monocentric study on the management of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes in Morocco]

We conducted a retrospective descriptive analytical study in the Department of Clinical Haematology at the Mohammed V Military Training Hospital in Rabat over a period of 10 years. This study included 76 patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) between 2008 and 2018. The average number of cases per year was 7.6. Out of 76 patients, 57% were men and 43% were women. The average age of our study population was 65.75 ± 12.55. The average age was 66.88 ± 13.10. No cases of profession exposed to disease was reported. Ninety-seven point three percent of patients had primary myelodysplastic syndrome and only 2 or 2.7% had myelodysplastic syndrome secondary to chemotherapy. The average time between the first visit and the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome was, on average, 33.6 days ± 51, with a median of 19 days. The IPSS prognostic score was: low risk in 37.4% of cases, intermediate risk 1 in 46.6% of cases, intermediate risk in 12% of cases and high risk in 4% of cases. Thus, 84% of patients had low-risk MDS and 16% had high-risk MDS. Regular monitoring of patients showed many complications such as bleeding in 13% of patients, infections in 8% of cases, secondary hemochromatosis as a result of iterative transfusions in 6.6% of patients and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia in 2.7% of patients. In our study, abstention was the therapeutic choice in 42.1% of patients, transfusion was recommended in 35.5% of patients: red cells in 70% of cases, platelet concentrates in 40% of cases, iron chelators in 25% of transfused patients and EPO in 27% of patients. azacitidine was prescribed in 18% of patients, 50% had low-risk MDS and 50% had high-risk MDS. Bone marrow transplant was the only curative treatment for MDS. It was performed in a single patient with high risk MDS.

Myelodysplastic syndromes: 2021 update on diagnosis, risk stratification and management

DISEASE OVERVIEW

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a very heterogeneous group of myeloid disorders characterized by peripheral blood cytopenias and increased risk of transformation to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Myelodysplastic syndromes occur more frequently in older males and in individuals with prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of MDS is based on morphological evidence of dysplasia upon visual examination of a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy. Information obtained from additional studies such as karyotype, flow cytometry and molecular genetics is usually complementary and may help refine diagnosis.

RISK-STRATIFICATION

Prognosis of patients with MDS can be calculated using a number of scoring systems. In general, all these scoring systems include analysis of peripheral cytopenias, percentage of blasts in the bone marrow and cytogenetic characteristics. The most commonly accepted system is the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R). Somatic mutations can help define prognosis and therapy.

RISK-ADAPTED THERAPY

Therapy is selected based on risk, transfusion needs, percent of bone marrow blasts, cytogenetic and mutational profiles, comorbidities, potential for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) and prior exposure to hypomethylating agents (HMA). Goals of therapy are different in lower-risk patients than in higher-risk individuals and in those with HMA failure. In lower-risk MDS, the goal is to decrease transfusion needs and transformation to higher risk disease or AML, as well as to improve survival. In higher-risk disease, the goal is to prolong survival. In 2020, we witnessed an explosion of new agents and investigational approaches. Current available therapies include growth factor support, lenalidomide, HMAs, intensive chemotherapy and alloSCT. Novel therapeutics approved in 2020 are luspatercept and the oral HMA ASTX727. At the present time, there are no approved interventions for patients with progressive or refractory disease particularly after HMA-based therapy. Options include participation in a clinical trial, cytarabine-based therapy or alloSCT.

Myelodysplastic syndrome: the other cause of anemia in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis

In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving dialysis, anemia is common and related to a higher mortality rate. Erythropoietin (EPO) resistance and iron refractory anemia require red blood cell transfusions. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a disease with hematopoietic dysplasia. There are limited reports regarding ESRD patients with MDS. We aim to assess whether, for ESRD patients, undergoing dialysis is a predictive factor of MDS by analyzing data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled 74,712 patients with chronic renal failure (ESRD) who underwent dialysis and matched 74,712 control patients. In our study, we noticed that compared with the non-ESRD controls, in ESRD patients, undergoing dialysis (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] = 1.60, 1.16–2.19) and age (sHR = 1.03, 1.02–1.04) had positive predictive value for MDS occurrence. Moreover, more units of red blood cell transfusion (higher than 4 units per month) was also associated with a higher incidence of MDS. The MDS cumulative incidence increased with the duration of dialysis in ESRD patients. These effects may be related to exposure to certain cytokines, including interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and tumor growth factor-β. In conclusion, we report the novel finding that ESRD patients undergoing dialysis have an increased risk of MDS.

Which lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes should be treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

Indications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remain controversial in patients with lower risk myelodysplastic syndrome. We review prognostic factors in lower risk MDS, delineating patients with relatively poor risk who may potentially benefit from HSCT during the disease course. Results of HSCT in those patients, and main efforts to decrease non-relapse mortality (NRM) are detailed. Prospective studies are needed to determine more precisely which lower risk MDS patients may benefit from transplantation.

The Effects of Human BDH2 on the Cell Cycle, Differentiation, and Apoptosis and Associations with Leukemia Transformation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Iron overload is related to leukemia transformation in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. Siderophores help to transport iron. Type 2-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH2) is a rate-limiting factor in the biogenesis of siderophores. Using qRT-PCR, we analyze BDH2mRNA expression in the bone marrow (BM) of 187 MDS patients, 119 de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, and 43 lymphoma patients with normal BM. Elevated BDH2mRNA expression in BM is observed in MDS patients (n = 187 vs. 43, normal BM; P = 0.009), and this is related to ferritin levels. Patients with higher BDH2 expression show a greater risk of leukemia progression (15.25% vs. 3.77%, lower expression; P = 0.017) and shorter leukemia-free-survival (medium LFS, 9 years vs. 7 years; P = 0.024), as do patients with a ferritin level ≥350 ng/mL. Additionally, we investigate the mechanisms related to the prognostic ability of BDH2 by using BDH2-KD THP1. The cell cycle analysis, surface markers, and special stain studies indicate that BDH2-KD induces differentiation and decreases the growth rate of THP1 cells, which is associated with the retardation of the cell cycle. Moreover, many genes, including genes related to mitochondrial catabolism, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genes related to cell differentiation and proliferation influence BDH2-KD THP1 cells. Herein, we demonstrate that BDH2 is involved in cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of differentiation in malignant cells. Furthermore, the high BDH2 expression in MDS patients could be suggestive of a poor prognostic factor. This study provides a foundation for further research on the roles of BDH2 and iron metabolism in the pathogenesis of MDS.

Achievement of red blood cell transfusion independence in red blood cell transfusion-dependent patients with lower-risk non-del(5q) myelodysplastic syndromes correlates with serum erythropoietin levels

In the randomized, phase 3, MDS-005 study (NCT01029262), lenalidomide-induced red blood cell transfusion independence (RBC-TI) in 27% of transfusion-dependent patients with lower-risk non-del(5q) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) ineligible for or refractory to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. To determine the influence of erythropoietin (EPO) level on response, 155 patients treated with lenalidomide in MDS-005 were categorized into four groups by baseline EPO level. The EPO >500 mU/mL group had higher RBC transfusion burden and the lowest proportion of patients with ring sideroblasts ≥15% versus lower EPO groups. Achievement of RBC-TI ≥8 weeks inversely correlated with EPO level, ranging from 42.5 to 15.5%. EPO level did not affect erythroid hematologic improvement response (36.2-44.4%). This analysis suggests patients with lower EPO levels experience the strongest benefit from lenalidomide. Although meaningful improvements were observed in some patients with EPO level >500 mU/mL, new treatments are needed for this population.

[Myelodysplastic syndromes]

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)-previously called "preleukemias"-are clonal diseases of the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell. Their hallmark is peripheral cytopenias. Early forms are characterized by dysplasia of mature cells in the peripheral blood or erythropoiesis, granulopoiesis or megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, and later stages tend to accumulate blasts. About 30% transform into acute myeloid leukemia. MDS are diseases of the elderly and are prognostically divided into lower and higher risk diseases. Median survival times vary accordingly between 6 months and 10 years. Chromosomal abnormalities are identified in 50% of patients, and single or multiple gene mutations occur in 80%. They are the driving force leading to abnormalities in differentiation and to the accumulation of blasts in the bone marrow. Therapeutic options include supportive care, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, demethylating agents, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Luspatercept in Patients with Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

BACKGROUND

Patients with anemia and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in whom erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy is not effective generally become dependent on red-cell transfusions. Luspatercept, a recombinant fusion protein that binds transforming growth factor β superfamily ligands to reduce SMAD2 and SMAD3 signaling, showed promising results in a phase 2 study.

METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with very-low-risk, low-risk, or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (defined according to the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System) with ring sideroblasts who had been receiving regular red-cell transfusions to receive either luspatercept (at a dose of 1.0 up to 1.75 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo, administered subcutaneously every 3 weeks. The primary end point was transfusion independence for 8 weeks or longer during weeks 1 through 24, and the key secondary end point was transfusion independence for 12 weeks or longer, assessed during both weeks 1 through 24 and weeks 1 through 48.

RESULTS

Of the 229 patients enrolled, 153 were randomly assigned to receive luspatercept and 76 to receive placebo; the baseline characteristics of the patients were balanced. Transfusion independence for 8 weeks or longer was observed in 38% of the patients in the luspatercept group, as compared with 13% of those in the placebo group (P<0.001). A higher percentage of patients in the luspatercept group than in the placebo group met the key secondary end point (28% vs. 8% for weeks 1 through 24, and 33% vs. 12% for weeks 1 through 48; P<0.001 for both comparisons). The most common luspatercept-associated adverse events (of any grade) included fatigue, diarrhea, asthenia, nausea, and dizziness. The incidence of adverse events decreased over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Luspatercept reduced the severity of anemia in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts who had been receiving regular red-cell transfusions and who had disease that was refractory to or unlikely to respond to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or who had discontinued such agents owing to an adverse event. (Funded by Celgene and Acceleron Pharma; MEDALIST ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02631070; EudraCT number, 2015-003454-41.).

Impact of transfusion on survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: Current knowledge, new insights and transfusion clinical practice

Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion dependence is a prevalent consequence of anaemia in patients with lower risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). These patients have shorter survival compared to patients responding to Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), raising the question of potential negative effects of chronic RBC transfusions on MDS prognosis, independently of IPSS-R. Besides commonly identified complications of transfusions like iron toxicity or cardiac events, oxidative stress could be a risk factor for ineffective haematopoiesis. Recently, physicochemical changes of RBC during storage have been described. These changes called storage lesions could play a role in immunomodulation in vivo. We review the currently identified sources of potential impact on transfusion-associated effects in MDS patients and we discuss the unexplored potential role of erythrocyte-derived-extracellular vesicles. They could amplify impairment of haematopoiesis in addition to the negative intrinsic effects underlying the pathology in MDS. Thus, chronic RBC transfusions appear to potentially impact the outcome of MDS.

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.

The prognostic value of serum erythropoietin in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: a review of the literature and expert opinion

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are hematopoietic stem cell malignancies associated with an erythroid maturation defect, resulting in anemia. Treatments for MDS include erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). The identification of prognostic markers is important to help predict response and improve outcomes. Various scoring systems have been developed to help predict response to ESAs. Despite limitations in its assessment, serum erythropoietin (sEPO) level is an important predictor of hematologic response to ESAs in patients with lower-risk MDS. Numerous studies have reported significantly lower sEPO levels among responders versus non-responders. Furthermore, treatment response is significantly more likely among those with sEPO levels below versus those above various cutoffs. Other prognostic indicators for response to ESAs include lower transfusion requirement, fewer bone marrow blasts, higher hemoglobin, lower serum ferritin, lower-risk MDS, and more normal cytogenetics. Studies of other MDS therapies (e.g., lenalidomide and luspatercept) have also reported that lower sEPO levels are indicative of hematologic response. In addition, lower sEPO levels (up to 500 IU/L) have been included in treatment algorithms for patients with lower-risk MDS to define whether ESAs are indicated. Lower sEPO levels are predictive of hematologic response—particularly to ESAs. Further, clinical trials should use sEPO thresholds to ensure more homogeneous cohorts.

How we manage adults with myelodysplastic syndrome

The prognosis in Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), although recently refined by molecular studies, remains largely based on conventional prognostic scores [International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), revised IPSS], classifying patients into "lower risk" MDS (LR-MDS) and "higher risk" MDS (HR-MDS). In LR-MDS, treatment mainly aims at improving cytopenias, principally anaemia, while in HR-MDS it aims at delaying disease progression and prolonging survival. In LR-MDS without deletion 5q, anaemia is generally treated first by erythropoietic stimulating factors, while second line treatments are currently not approved [lenalidomide, hypomethylating agents (HMA), luspatercept] or rarely indicated (antithymocyte globulin). Lenalidomide has major efficacy in LR-MDS with deletion 5q. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is sometimes considered in LR-MDS, and iron chelation can be considered when multiple red blood cell transfusions are required. Allo-SCT is the only potentially curative treatment for HR-MDS; however, it is rarely applicable. It is generally preceded by intensive chemotherapy (IC) or HMA in patients with excess of marrow blasts (especially if >10%). In other patients, HMA can improve survival. The role of new drugs, including venetoclax or, in case of specific mutations, IDH1 or IDH2 inhibitors, is investigated. IC is mainly indicated as a bridge to allo-SCT, in the absence of unfavourable karyotype.

Prolonged response to recombinant human erythropoietin treatment in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome at a single referral centre in Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of epoetin (EPO) alfa treatment on overall survival, event-free survival and response duration in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who were treated at a haematological referral centre in northeastern Brazil.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 36 patients diagnosed with MDS and treated with EPO alfa at 30,000 to 60,000 IU per week. Clinical data were collected from medical records. The events assessed were non-response to treatment and progression to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 7 and SPSS 24 software.

RESULTS

The overall survival of patients who received EPO alfa treatment was 51.64%, with a median of 65 months of treatment, and the overall survival of this group was 100% during the first 24 months. We detected a 43.5-month median event-free survival, with a response rate of 80.5%. We observed responses from 25 to 175 months. Patients with transfusion dependence and those with a high-risk stratification, as determined by the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R), the WHO classification-based Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS) and the WHO 2016, had a lower event-free survival than other patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the wide use of EPO alfa in the treatment of anaemia in patients with MDS, the median response duration is approximately only 24 months. Our data provide encouraging results concerning the benefits of using EPO alfa for the improvement of the quality of life, as patients treated with EPO showed higher overall survival, event-free survival rates and longer response durations than have been previously described in the literature.

Setting Fire to ESA and EMA Resistance: New Targeted Treatment Options in Lower Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

During the last decade, substantial advances have been made in the understanding of the complex molecular, immunological and cellular disturbances involved in the initiation as well as evolution of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In 85% of the mainly frail and older patient population, anemia is present at the time of diagnosis and is thus a major therapeutic challenge. High rates of primary resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), the currently only approved standard therapy to treat anemia in lower-risk MDS, demand the development of novel and efficient drugs with a good safety profile. Luspatercept, a ligand trap of activin receptor II, is able to promote late stage erythropoiesis even in patients failing prior ESA treatment. The presence of ring sideroblastic phenotype defines a subgroup of patients with higher response rates. Additionally, recent developments in clinical research using HIF-1 or telomerase modulation by roxadustat or imetelstat are promising. Other areas of translational research involve targeting the inflammasome by anti-inflammatory drugs in order to improve anemia. These efforts will hopefully pave the way for new targeted treatment options for anemic low-risk MDS patients.

[Management of myelodysplastic syndromes in 2019: An update]

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of clonal myeloid disorders characterized by peripheral cytopenias and an increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Inflammatory, auto-immune or syndromic symptoms can make the diagnosis difficult. Diagnosis is currently based on bone marrow cytology but cytogenetics and molecular features are currently overpassing their initial prognostic function (allowing early diagnosis and prediction of therapeutic response). The prognostic classification is based on the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System, which also provides guidance for therapeutic management. The treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes is based on the correction of cytopenias (erythropoiesis stimulating agents, transfusions, lenalidomide, etc.), whereas in high-risk group, the goal is the control of the leukemic clone (hypomethylating agents, allograft of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation). Other molecules are used to manage complications of cytopenias or transfusion (anti-infectious prophylaxis and treatments, martial chelation). New molecules are being studied with some interesting results (luspatercept, venetoclax). This article aims to provide an update on the knowledge that an internist should know for the practical management of myelodysplastic syndromes in 2019.

Refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS) and RARS with thrombocytosis: "2019 Update on Diagnosis, Risk-stratification, and Management"

DISEASE OVERVIEW

Ring sideroblasts (RS) are erythroid precursors with abnormal perinuclear mitochondrial iron accumulation. Two myeloid neoplasms defined by the presence of RS, include refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS), now classified under myelodysplastic syndromes with RS (MDS-RS) and RARS with thrombocytosis (RARS-T); now called myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm with RS and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T).

DIAGNOSIS

MDS-RS is a lower-risk MDS, with single or multilineage dysplasia (SLD/MLD), <5% bone marrow (BM) blasts and ≥ 15% BM RS (≥5% in the presence of SF3B1 mutations). MDS/MPN-RS-T, now a formal entity in the MDS/MPN overlap syndromes, has diagnostic features of MDS-RS-SLD, along with a platelet count ≥450 × 10(9)/L and large atypical megakaryocytes.

MUTATIONS AND KARYOTYPE

Mutations in SF3B1 are seen in ≥80% of patients with MDS-RS-SLD and MDS/MPN-RS-T, and strongly correlate with the presence of BM RS; MDS/MPN-RS-T patients also demonstrate JAK2V617F, ASXL1, DNMT3A, SETBP1, and TET2 mutations. Cytogenetic abnormalities are uncommon in both.

RISK STRATIFICATION

Most patients with MDS-RS-SLD are stratified into lower-risk groups by the revised-IPSS. Disease outcome in MDS/MPN-RS-T is better than that of MDS-RS-SLD, but worse than that of essential thrombocythemia. Both diseases have a low risk of leukemic transformation.

TREATMENT

Anemia and iron overload are complications seen in both and are managed similar to lower-risk MDS and MPN. The advent of luspatercept, a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent will tremendously boost the ability to manage anemia. Aspirin therapy is reasonable in MDS/MPN-RS-T, especially in the presence of JAK2V617F, but the value of platelet-lowering drugs remains uncertain.

Epoetin alfa for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome-related anemia: A review of clinical data, clinical guidelines, and treatment protocols

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, leading to hematopoietic precursor cell apoptosis and peripheral blood cytopenias. Anemia is the most frequently experienced cytopenia and is the main cause of MDS symptoms, with fatigue and dyspnea contributing to reduced quality of life and increased morbidity. As MDS disease course and prognosis is influenced by disease factors, prognostic scoring systems have been developed for MDS to aid clinical and therapeutic decisions following diagnosis. Erythropoiesis- stimulating agents (ESAs) have been used for many years to treat anemia in patients with lower-risk MDS without chromosomal abnormalities. The use of ESAs is recommended by international clinical practice guidelines, due to the large body of evidence demonstrating their effectiveness in lower-risk MDS. In March 2017, the European Medicines Agency approved epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia in lower-risk MDS patients, based on the results from a Phase 3 clinical trial and three European registry studies. The effectiveness of biosimilar epoetin alfa (Binocrit^®, Sandoz) to correct anemia in lower-risk MDS patients has also been demonstrated in a retrospective, single-center, observational study. The recent approval of epoetin alfa by the EMA in this setting will provide clinicians with a welcome, approved treatment option for lower-risk MDS.

Luspatercept for the treatment of anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes and primary myelofibrosis

Anemia of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) generally becomes resistant to available treatments, leading to red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, iron overload, shortened survival, and poor quality of life. The transforming growth factor-β superfamily, including activins and growth differentiation factors (GDFs), is aberrantly expressed in lower-risk MDSs and PMF. Luspatercept (and sotatercept), ligand traps that particularly inhibit GDF11, lead to RBC transfusion independence in 10% to 50% of lower-risk MDSs resistant to available treatments, and have started to be used in PMF.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of erythropoietin-stimulating agents for the treatment of low- and intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: a systematic literature review

Many patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) experience anaemia, which has negative consequences. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and their biosimilars are used to treat anaemia in MDS and, currently, epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa are commonly used and recommended by clinical guidelines. To better understand the evidence available on the use of ESAs for anaemia in lower-risk MDS, we conducted a systematic literature review to identify randomized and nonrandomized prospective studies reporting on clinical efficacy/effectiveness, patient-reported quality of life (QoL), and safety. We extended our review to include retrospective studies for darbepoetin alfa specifically and to ascertain the feasibility of completing an indirect network meta-analysis comparing epoetin and darbepoetin alfa. Overall, 53 articles reporting on 35 studies were included. The studies indicated a clinical benefit of ESAs, with benefits observed across key clinical outcomes. ESAs showed consistent improvement in erythroid response rates (ESA-naïve, 45-73%; previous ESA exposure, 25-75%) and duration of response. Comparative studies demonstrated similar progression to acute myeloid leukaemia and several showed improved overall survival and QoL. Limited safety concerns were identified. This analysis confirmed ESA therapy should be the foremost first-line treatment of anaemia in most patients with lower-risk MDS who lack the 5q deletion.