Myelodysplastic Syndromes - MDS

Doctors are working to learn more about MDS, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for you.

New drugs and drug combinations. Researchers are looking at treatments with the following:

• Arsenic trioxide (Trisenox)
• ATG (anti-thymocyte globulin)
• Azacitidine in combination with other drugs
• Decitabine in combination with other drugs
• Lenalidomide in patients who do not have abnormalities of chromosome 5
• Histone deacetylase inhibitors
• Different approaches to stem cell transplantation

Some of these medications, such as azacitidine, decitabine, and lenalidomide, have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of MDS and are now being evaluated in different doses and schedules and in combination with other drugs.

Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current MDS treatments in order to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life.

Learn more about common statistical terms used in research.

To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases now.