By studying 2,133 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) undergoing allogeneic transplantation, researchers have developed an improved prognostic scoring system predictive of outcomes that integrates patient- and disease-specific factors beyond the IPSS-R scoring system. Patient outcomes between 2000 and 2012 were reported to CIBMTR (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research). Analysis revealed prognostic patient factors for survival, including blood blasts, platelet counts, Karnofsky performance status, comprehensive cytogenetic risk score, and age. Probabilities of 3-year overall survival after transplantation in patients with low, intermediate, high, and very high scores were 71%, 49%, 41%, and 25%, respectively, (p<0.001). An increased risk score was predictive of increased relapse (p<0.001) and treatment-related mortality (p<0.001) in HLA-matched patients (n=1,728) and relapse (p<0.001) in HLA-mismatched patients (n=405). The authors conclude that this proposed system offers improved prognostic capability, particularly for patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk subgroups.
Shaffer BC, et al. J Clin Oncol