How Are Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treated?

There are many options to treat myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS. Treatment for MDS may help improve your quality of life and help you live a longer and more normal life.

“Some of the factors that might influence your treatment options include your age, how aggressive your myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS is, how bad your blood counts are, and your overall health,” says Jonathan Feld, MD, Hematology Specialist at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

What are the treatment options for myelodysplastic syndromes?

Stem cell transplant

Not everyone qualifies for a stem cell transplant. It may be an option for people who are generally young and healthy, but have more aggressive forms of MDS. It also requires someone to have a matched donor available, which can sometimes be an obstacle.

Blood transfusions

Blood transfusions may help improve blood cell counts and/or hemoglobin levels. This may relieve symptoms of anemia.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)

ESAs are an injection medication. It mimics a hormone that your kidneys make to help boost red blood cell production.

Immunomodulating agents

In some cases, the body attacks your own stem cells or blood cells. Immunomodulating agents may help stop the immune system from attacking these blood cells.

Antimetabolites

Antimetabolites are a type of chemotherapy that are occasionally used to treat more aggressive forms of MDS. These may slow the progression of MDS.

Erythroid maturation agents (EMAs)

EMAs are a newer treatment option for MDS. It helps the stem cells mature correctly into normal red blood cells. This helps reduce anemia and risk of complications.

There are many options to treat MDS that may help you feel better — and there may be even more in the future. “We are hoping down the road in the future that we will have even more treatments available to improve everyone's to improve the outcomes for everyone with MDS,” says Dr. Feld.