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Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a type of cancer that can hide from the immune system, which can lead to disease progression1-3

HOW DOES MDS OCCUR?

Hematopoietic stem cells produced in the bone marrow develop into blood cells. MDS occurs when the hematopoietic stem cells become abnormal.4-6

This leads to low numbers of one or more types of blood cells, which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.4

Fewer and more abnormal blood cells may cause serious symptoms, which can be fatal or contribute to a lower quality of life for already vulnerable people–those with a median age of ~70 years and multiple comorbidities.4,7-9

MDS represents a spectrum of myeloid malignancies with a high degree of variability IN REGARD TO CLINICAL phenotype, prognosis, and response to treatment.10

A graphic of bone marrow. A graphic of bone marrow. A graphic of normal hematopoietic stem cells. A graphic of normal red blood cells. A graphic of normal white blood cells. A graphic of normal platelets. A graphic of abnormal hematopoietic stem cells. A graphic of abnormal red blood cells. A graphic of abnormal white blood cells. A graphic of abnormal platelets.

Bone Marrow

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Red Blood Cells

(Fewer and Poorer
Quality Cells)

Symptoms

  • Anemia
  • Pale Skin
  • Weakness + Tiredness
  • Difficulty Breathing

White Blood Cells

(Fewer and Poorer Quality Cells)

Symptoms

  • Frequent Infections
  • Weakened Immunity

Platelets

(Fewer and Poorer Quality Cells)

Symptoms

  • Easy Bleeding and/or Bruising
  • Easy
    Bleeding and/or Bruising

National Cancer Institute. Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Updated March 4, 2022. https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/patient/myelodysplastic-treatment-pdq

PATIENTS WITH HIGHER-RISK MDS TEND TO HAVE MORE SEVERE DISEASE PROGRESSION AND LOWER RATES OF OVERALL SURVIVAL9

~40%

~40%of patients diagnosed with MDS have higher-risk disease, which includes very high-, high-, and a subset of intermediate-risk disease based on IPSS-R9,11*

of patients diagnosed with MDS have higher-risk disease, which includes very high-, high-, and a subset of intermediate-risk disease based on IPSS-R9,11*

Chart key labeling the risk categories of MDS from very low to very high.

<1 to 3
YEARS

is how long patients with higher-risk MDS (HR-MDS) are expected to survive without therapy, depending on their IPSS-R score9*

The graph y-axis displaying years of median overall survival for untreated patients with MDS. The graph y-axis displaying years of median overall survival for untreated patients with MDS.

IPSS-R Prognostic Risk Category

PROGRESSION
TO AML

can occur rapidly in untreated
patients
with HR-MDS9*

The graph y-axis displaying years to AML progression in untreated patients with MDS. The graph x-axis displaying years to AML progression in untreated patients with MDS.

Time to AML Progression, Years†

*Based on MDS databases that include outcomes from >7000 patients from multiple international institutions across 11 countries. 9
†Refers to the time for 25% of the patients to progress to AML.

There is an urgent need for further research to advance potential therapies in HR-MDS.8,12,13

Could focusing on macrophages and phagocytic signals lead to new clues in the case?
Explore CD47 and the Immune System

AML, acute myeloid leukemia; IPSS-R, Revised International Prognostic Scoring System.

References:
  1. Steensma DP, Komrokji RS, Stone RM, et al. Cancer. 2014;120(11):1670-1676. doi:10.1002/cncr.28631
  2. Chao MP, Takimoto CH, Feng DD, et al. Front Oncol. 2020;9:1380. doi:10.3389/fonc.2019.01380
  3. Pang WW, Pluvinage JV, Price EA, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(8):3011-3016. doi:10.1073/pnas.1222861110
  4. American Cancer Society. Updated January 18, 2018. Accessed September 19, 2022. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/myelodysplastic-syndrome/about/what-is-mds.html
  5. Hong M, He G. J Transl Int Med. 2017;5(3):139-143. doi:10.1515/jtim-2017-0002
  6. Visconte V, Tiu RV, Rogers HJ. Blood Res. 2014;49(4):216-227. doi:10.5045/br.2014.49.4.216
  7. National Cancer Institute. Myelodysplastic Syndromes Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Updated March 4, 2022. Accessed September 19, 2022. https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/patient/myelodysplastic-treatment-pdq
  8. Steensma DP. Blood Cancer J. 2018;8(5):47. doi:10.1038/s41408-018-0085-4
  9. Greenberg PL, Tuechler H, Schanz J, et al. Blood. 2012;120(12):2454-2465. doi:10.1182/blood-2012-03-420489
  10. Hunter AM, Sallman DA. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2020;34(2):421-440. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2019.11.004
  11. Garcia-Manero G, Chien KS, Montalban-Bravo G. Am J Hematol. 2020;95(11):1399-1420. doi:10.1002/ajh.25950
  12. Platzbecker U. Blood. 2019;133(10):1096-1107. doi:10.1182/blood-2018-10-844696
  13. Scalzulli E, Pepe S, Colafigli G, Breccia M. Blood Rev. 2021;45:100689. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2020.100689

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