Transfusion Independence in MDS
 
Alan F. List, MD
Executive Vice President
Physician-in-Chief H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Larry Cripe, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Hemotology/Oncology, Indiana University
 
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders that result from bone marrow dysfunction that may progress into acute leukemia. Until recently the mainstay of treatment was supportive care. ² Since the recent FDA approval of three new therapeutic drugs Dr. List says, “The way we manage anemia in patients with MDS has evolved from a strategy of managing the symptoms to one of active treatment of the underlying disease.” ³

In this compelling program we speak with specialists and patients to explore the challenges facing people who live with MDS and review the importance of reaching transfusion independence.


¹NCI. Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatments: Health Professional Version. US NIH 12/14/07 At: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/myelodysplastic/patient/ Pg 2 of pdf
² Pg 7 of pdf
³ Melchert M, List A. Management of RBC-Transfusion Dependence. Hematology 2007, Pg 244