What patient factors should we consider for intermediate- and high-risk patients beyond the IPSS-R score?

The MDS Hub Steering Commitee met on May 5, 2022. The recorded discussion was chaired by Rena Buckstein, and featured Theo de Witte, Silvia Magalhães, and Yasushi Miyazaki. The topic of this discussion, “What patient factors should we consider for intermediate- and high-risk patients beyond the IPSS-R score?”, was identified as an unmet educational need within MDS treatment.

Buckstein begins by discussing two case studies, and the use of IPSS-R to define risk. De Witte talks about the effect that comorbidities can have on patient outcomes, and the committee discusses the treatment options and possible outcomes of the case study patients. Buckstein presents information on prognostic factors and the significance of mutations in prognosis. The committee also discusses how to calculate prognostic factors to decide treatment strategies, determine survival, and counsel patients. Buckstein then explains which genes are included in the IPSS-Molecular (IPSS-M) calculations. Finally, the committee discusses how the IPSS-M could be implemented in clinical settings, including potential problems.