Transplantation in Deletion 5q Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Transplantation should be considered up front in any patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), says Thomas Prebet, MD, PhD, although factors, such as disease, patient age, and comorbidities, may prevent some individuals from receiving such therapy.

In a case scenario, Prebet describes a 45-year-old woman with deletion 5q (del 5q) MDS who initially did not require any transfusions during the beginning of her disease. After a few months, she became transfusion dependent and experienced iron overload but was otherwise without severe consequences. After 2 years of transplantation, she remained transfusion free. This exemplifies what can be achieved for patients with the use of transplantation, comments Prebet, even in individuals with del 5q MDS, who are less likely to receive transfusions.