Blood Cancer &
 Leukemia

MDS, or myelodysplastic syndrome, is a collection of disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells.

Normally, the bone marrow produces three major types of blood: red blood cells (which carry oxygen to the blood), white blood cells (which help the body fight infections), and platelets (which help blood clot).

MDS is not considered a cancer. However, some forms of MDS can progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of cancer. It is sometimes refered to as preleukemia, or pre-leukemia.

What causes MDS?

The use of DNA-damaging drugs, exposure to radiation, and contact with benzene are all possible causes of myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia, and acute myelogenous leukemia. The people most likely to come into contact with benzene are those who work in industrial settings. (Display at Risk Jobs/ Exposure).

How common is myelodysplastic syndrome?

Approximately 7,000 to 12,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the Untied States. It primarily occurs in people older than 60.

Symptoms of MDS

Myelodysplastic syndrome ymptoms vary depending on the individual and the extent of the disease. Typical symptoms include weakness, fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, bleeding, fever, weight loss, and a sense of feeling full.

Classification of MDS

MDS is often classified by risk for developing AML. Patients with low or intermediate-1 risk typically have refractory anemia (RA), refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), or refractory anemia with excessive blasts (RAEB). Patients with intermediate-2 or high risk usually have refractory anemia with excessive blasts in transformation (RAEBT) or chrome myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).

Myelodysplastic syndromes

There are several MDS syndromes. Patients with 5q-syndrome have an abnormality in their DNA (DNA is the blueprint that dictates the function and behavior of every cell within the body). The 5q refers to the location of the chromosome, or DNA strand, where the abnormality is present. Hypoplastic MDS is a syndrome that is similar to a type of anemia, and patients with this syndrome have low numbers of blood cells in the bone marrow, where these cells are produced.

Other syndromes include MDS with myelofibrosis (a condition in which bone marrow cells grow inside the spleen and liver and in which the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue) and MDS with prominent eosinophilia or monocytosis (an exces of types of white blood cells).

What are the treatment options for MDS?

There are three options for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome: Low-intensity therapy, high-intensity therapy, and supportive care.

• Most patients will receive supportive care, which includes red blood cell and platelet transfusions. Supportive care also includes close monitoring by everyone on the health care team.
• Low-intensity therapy includes chemotherapy, which is the use of chemicals to treat the disease. Chemotherapy is usually given as part of a clinical trial. Typically, no hospital stay is required. Chemotherapy is given in the doctors office or clinic.
• High-intensity therapy includes intensive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation (healthy bone marrow replaces the diseased bone marrow), and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (healthy immature blood-forming cells replace diseased cells). These treatments are usually given as part of a clinical trial.

Information about the new drug, REVLIMID®

REVLIMID® is the lead investigational development compound of a new class of novel immunomodulatory drugs, or IMiDs® which may demonstrate, in clinical studies, anticancer response. Nearly 30 clinical trials are evaluating REVLIMID in the treatment of a broad range of conditions, including; multiple myeloma, the malignant blood cell disorders known as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as well as solid tumor cancers.

REVLIMID has received Fast Track designation from the FDA for both multiple myeloma and MDS. In addition, the European Commission has granted REVLIMID orphan drug designation. Celgene expects to file a regulatory application with the FDA and other world-wide regulatory authorities in the near future.

REVLIMID is manufactured by Celgene, Inc and you can visit their web site here. Some recient news can be found here.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a study conducted by doctors to test investigational therapies or investigational medications. Doctors conduct these trials to see if these investigational treatments can improve on ones they currently use. For additional clinical trial information please complete the form below.

What is CC-5013?

CC-5013 is an investigational immunomodulatory drug. It boosts the production of the bodys natural disease fighting cells, such as T-cells, and disease-fighting chemicals interleukin-2 being conducted. Researchers are evaluating CC-5013 in the treatment of patients with multiple-myeloma, a type of cancer CC-5013 may be safe and active against this cancer, so further clinical trials are being conducted. CC-5013 comes in pill form and is taken by mouth and is only given to MDS patients who enroll in clinical research trials.

Side Effects of CC-5013?

Common side effects of CC-5013 include neutropenia, which is a reduction in the number of white blood cells, and thrombocytopenia, which is a reduction in the number of platelets. Symptoms of low numbers of white blood cells include fever, and symptoms of low numbers of platelets include bruising or excessive bleeding. The study physician can provide additional information to you.

For detailed patient, drug, and clinical trial information on MDS myelodysplastic syndromes, please complete the form below.

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