Quote:
Originally Posted by donna j.
I am curious why some MDS people are prescribed ATG and Cyclosporine. I have been going through Vidaza cycles while waiting for a transplant. What is the difference. Is it our diagnoses?
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Hey Donna!
ATG & Cyclosporine -- that is, immunosuppressive therapy [IST] -- works for a fraction of MDS patients, mostly those in the lower-risk classification. There's been a lot of work at a lot of research centers to figure out exactly which patients will respond, and the studies come back with different answers, so the researchers haven't gotten it completely puzzled out yet.
Among the characteristics that various studies have pegged as possible predictors of IST success are:
- Younger patient
- IPSS Low Risk or INT-1
- Trisomy 8
- Hypocellular marrow
- PNH clone
- HLA DR15
- Lower transfusion need; fewer lifetime transfusions.
There may be more.
Hope that helps. Take care!
Greg
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Greg, 59, dx MDS RCMD Int-1 03/10, 8+ & Dup1(q21q31). NIH Campath 11/2010. Non-responder. Tiny telomeres. TERT mutation. Danazol at NIH 12/11. TX independent 7/12. Pancreatitis 4/15. 15% blasts 4/16. DX RAEB-2. Beginning Vidaza to prep for MUD STC. Check out my blog at
www.greghankins.com