Treatment characteristics and outcomes in lower-risk, non-del(5q) myelodysplastic syndromes: findings from a medical record review in the USA, Canada and Europe.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To assess treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with non-del(5q) lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.Methods: Patient medical records were reviewed in the USA, Canada (CAN), UK and the EU.Results: Analysis included 119 patients in the USA/CAN (median age, 61.5 years) and 245 patients in the UK/EU (median age, 67.3 years). Most patients received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) as first-line (1L) therapy (USA/CAN 89.0%; UK/EU 90.2%). A substantial proportion of 1L erythropoiesis-stimulating agent-treated patients were transfusion dependent before 1L (USA/CAN 37.1%; UK/EU 51.2%); a small percentage of these patients achieved transfusion independence during 1L therapy (USA/CAN 2.8%; UK/EU 14.4%).Conclusion: These findings highlight an unmet need for more effective treatments among patients with non-del(5q) lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

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