The MDS Sessions: highlights from ASCO/EHA 2021

Treatment options for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remain limited, with the rapid advances seen in other hematological malignancies not replicated in this space. Aside from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, current approaches are non-curative, instead aiming to delay disease progression and manage cytopenias. The development of second-line therapies is a particularly urgent need. However, much research is underway to address this paucity of available options. Many new agents, targets, and treatment approaches are in development or under investigation, such as novel HMA-based combinations, immunotherapies including magrolimab and sabatolimab, and first-in-class agents like pevondenistat.

Researchers and clinicians from across the world came together to share anticipated trial data and state-of-the-art developments with the MDS community at the recent 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and European Hematology Association (EHA) meetings.

In this episode, VJSession chair Amer Zeidan, Yale University School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, is joined by renowned experts Andrew Wei, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and David Sallman, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, to discuss exciting developments in the MDS space reported at the ASCO and EHA 2021 meetings. This MDS session features updates on the latest trial data for key approved and investigational agents, novel targets and therapeutics, and patient selection considerations in light of a broadening treatment armamentarium.