# Treatment Patterns and Outcomes of Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) by IPSS‐R Scores at Academic Cancer Centers

## TL;DR

This study examines how patients with myelodysplastic syndrome are treated and how they fare based on their risk scores, showing higher-risk patients have worse outcomes and higher costs.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into treatment patterns and outcomes by IPSS-R risk scores in MDS patients at academic cancer centers.

## Key findings

- Higher-risk MDS patients received HMAs as first-line therapy more frequently than lower-risk patients.
- Median overall survival was 18.8 months for higher-risk and 25.6 months for lower-risk MDS patients.
- Healthcare charges were more than twice as high for higher-risk MDS patients compared to lower-risk patients.

## Abstract

This study describes treatment patterns and clinical and economic outcomes of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS‐R) risk scores. A retrospective cohort study was conducted including adults diagnosed with MDS between 2010 and 2020 within two academic institutions. A total of 369 patients were included. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) were used as first‐line therapy in 81% (n = 230) and 51% (n = 44) of higher‐risk (HR) and lower‐risk (LR) patients, respectively. Second‐line therapy was received by 24% of patients. Complete response was achieved by 11% of HR patients (median duration: 24 months). Median PFS and OS were 9.5 and 18.8 months in the HR cohort and 18.8 and 25.6 months in the LR cohort. Mean MDS‐related healthcare charges per patient per month were > 2‐fold higher among HR patients compared to LR (p < 0.001). An unmet need exists for first and subsequent lines of therapy.