Summary
In this article, a selection of interesting abstracts related to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) will be discussed. In lower-risk MDS, most attention goes to therapies that address anaemia. In this respect updated results of a phase III trial evaluating luspatercept were presented, while also the hydroxylase inhibitor roxadustat showed promising results. In addition to this, interesting data were presented on the restoration of erythropoietin sensitivity by lenalidomide. In higher-risk MDS, an abstract will be discussed looking at the optimal schedule for the administration of hypomethylating agents (HMA) next to a study evaluating the safety and efficacy of an oral HMA formulation. In addition to this, several new therapeutic options are being explored in higher-risk MDS. This includes combinations of novel agents (e.g. venetoclax, rigosertib, telaglenastat) with azacitidine and the use of targeted agents, specifically directed against mutations in MDS (e.g. olutasidenib, APR-246 and enasidenib).
(BELG J HEMATOL 2020;11(1):27–34)
