Jädersten M et al. – Treatment of anemia in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with erythropoietin (EPO) plus granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) may positively affect outcome in pts with no or low transfusion need, while not affecting risk of leukemic transformation Methods
Study of the effect of EPO plus G-CSF treatment on survival and leukemic transformation in MDS
Comparison of long-term outcome of MDS pts treated with EPO + G-CSF (121 pts) vs untreated 237 pts
Multivariate Cox regression with delayed entry, for the first time adjusting for all major prognostic variables (WHO classification, karyotype, cytopenias, level of transfusion need, age, and sex)
Results
Erythroid response rate to EPO + G-CSF: 39%
Median response duration: 23 mo
Multivariate analysis showed treatment was associated with improved overall survival, primarily in pts requiring <2 units of RBCs/mo
Treatment was not linked to rate of acute myeloid leukemia in any subgroup, including pts with increased marrow blasts or an unfavorable karyotype
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