Are new agents really making a difference in MDS?

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of bone marrow stem cell disorders characterized by dysplastic hypercellular marrows with peripheral cytopenias. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society estimates the annual US incidence of MDS is at least 12,000. MDS occurs primarily in people over 60 years old. The pathophysiology of most subtypes of MDS is poorly understood. Treating MDS remains a challenge despite the availability of new agents, such as lenalidomide, azacitidine, and decitabine. Whether these drugs have made a real difference in treating this group of diseases remains controversial.