title: Immunomodulation in myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) - bone-marrow stem-cell malignancies that share pathogenetic overlap with acute myeloid leukemia - are characterized by peripheral-blood cytopenias and, in more advanced subtypes, varied degrees of maturation arrest. Premature apoptosis of bone-marrow cellular elements contributes to ineffective hematopoiesis, which is exacerbated by stromal production of inflammatory cytokines. Abrogation of the effects of these cytokines represents an area of active clinical research, particularly in the treatment of low-risk MDS. Agents such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, and infliximab have shown promising efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials, and may represent a springboard for future treatment combinations.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Department of Hematologic Malignancies and Blood Disorders, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Desk R35, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. sekerem@ccf.org
authors.forename: Mikkael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sekeres
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: List
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors