Towards a Conceptualization of Measurable Residual Disease in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Journal Name
Blood Advances
Primary Author
Schulz E
Author(s)
Schulz E, Aplan PD, Freeman SD, Pavletic SZ
Original Publication Date

Approximately 90% of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: (my-eh-lo-diss-PLASS-tik SIN-dromez) A group of disorders where the bone marrow does not work well, and the bone marrow cells fail to make enough healthy blood cells. Myelo refers to the bone marrow. Dysplastic means abnormal growth or development. People with MDS have low blood cell count for at… (MDS) have somatic mutations in the malignant cells that are known or suspected to be oncogenic. The genetic risk-stratification of MDS has evolved substantially by the introduction of the clinical-molecular International Prognostic Scoring System: A system that turns patient data into a score. The score tells how quickly a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) case is progressing and helps predict what may happen with the patient's MDS in the future. Also called IPSS. (IPSS-M) that establishes next-generation sequencing at diagnosis as a standard of care. Furthermore, the International Consensus Classification (ICC) of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemias has refined MDS diagnostic criteria with the introduction of a new myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) category. Monitoring measurable residual disease (MRD) has historically been used to define remission status, improve relapse prediction, and determine the efficacy of antileukemic drugs in patients with acute and chronic leukemias. However, in contrast to leukemias, assessment of MRD including tracking of patient-specific mutations has not yet been formally defined as a biomarker for MDS. This article summarizes current evidence and challenges, and provides a conceptual framework for incorporating MRD into the treatment of MDS and future clinical trials: Clinical research is at the heart of all medical advances, identifying new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. If you have a bone marrow failure disease, you may want to consider taking part in a clinical trial, also called a research study. Understanding Clinical Trials Clinical… .

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