title: Evolving applications of lenalidomide in the management of anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: Lenalidomide has emerged as an effective therapeutic alternative for the management of anemia in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Compelling results from phase I and phase II clinical studies prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to approve lenalidomide for the treatment of transfusion-dependent MDS patients with interstitial deletion of chromosome 5q [del(5q)]. Subsequently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has incorporated lenalidomide into their current treatment algorithm for the treatment of lower-risk del(5q) patients. This discussion examines the current NCCN guidelines for the treatment of these patients, including the management of anemia in lower-risk MDS, and discusses the potential future therapeutic applications of lenalidomide in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Malignant Hematology Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. listaf@moffitt.org
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: List
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002895:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077269:Lenalidomide