title: Update on the therapy for myelodysplastic syndrome.
abstract: The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a diverse group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by cytopenias. Patients have a risk of developing acute leukemia though most succumb to complications of low blood counts. Over the past decade many novel treatments have been developed and investigation of new agents is ongoing. In this article, we discuss the classification and prognostic systems that are used in MDS, the agents available for treatment of MDS as well as review supportive and palliative care options for patients who are not candidates for, or opt against, newer treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Abramson Cancer Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. margaret.kasner@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Margaret T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kasner
authors.forename: Selina M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Luger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015195:Drug Design; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic