The treatment of MDS varies based on the patient's risk category, overall health, and many other individual factors. The goal of treatment can range from symptom management to attempting a cure.
Supportive care includes blood transfusions to treat anemia or thrombocytopenia, growth factor therapy to stimulate red blood cell and white blood cell production, and iron chelation and antibiotic therapy as needed.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared four drugs for the treatment of MDS: lenalidomide, azacitidine, decitabine, and luspatercept. Unfortunately, many patients do not respond to these medications or do not satisfy the treatment requirements.
Extended remission is rare with intensive chemotherapy.
The only curative treatment for MDS is a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
