title: Evolving treatment options of myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a heterogenous group of myeloid stem cell disorders characterized by peripheral cytopenias and dysplasia of bone marrow progenitor cells. A clonal evolution can result in progressive bone marrow failure and transformation towards acute myelogenous leukemia. A patient's prognosis as estimated by the International Prognostic Scoring System, age, and co-morbidities have to be considered for the selection of various treatment options. Although supportive care remains standard therapy for low-risk MDS, a number of treatment approaches that aim to improve cytopenia in transfusion-dependent patients are currently under investigation. Among others, immunosuppressive, anticytokine, and antiangiogenic therapy will be discussed. The demethylating agents 5-azacytidine and decitabine are promising for the treatment of elderly patients with high-risk MDS. An increase of the upper age limit for allogeneic stem cell transplantation, the only curative treatment option, by the development of dose-reduced conditioning regimens may have implications for the treatment of MDS patients in the future.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Zentrum Innere Medizin, Abteilung Hämatologie/Onkologie, Germany. verbeek.walter@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Verbeek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077209:Decitabine; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000077209:Decitabine; D001374:Azacitidine