When Should I Consider A Clinical Trial For MDS?

We had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Matsui and Dr. Feld, who offered insights into the considerations for joining a clinical trial for MDS treatment. 

Doctors usually recommend joining a clinical trial for patients who experience symptoms from MDS, which is the case for the majority of MDS patients. MDS patients are classified according to the risk of their disease progressing into acute leukemia. The therapies administered, treatment goals, and, therefore, the patient’s eligibility for a clinical trial will be adapted to that risk: 

• Low-risk patients; the goal of treatment is quality of life, if needed, the standard therapies control this type of MDS effectively
• High-risk patients, treatment options will be more aggressive, like a bone marrow transplant, to try to control the underlying disease for as long as possible. It’s common for this group of patients to join clinical trials  

Since treatment options available for MDS are continuously expanding, clinical trials might always be a good option to explore. The goal is to individualize the therapy according to the patient’s genetics, symptoms, and overall health. By participating in clinical trials, the options for finding out what works best will be more accurate, and the outcomes will improve over time. 
Educated and empowered patients who understand all their treatment options often have better outcomes. HealthTree University is the first and only free comprehensive curriculum for patients and caregivers. If you want to keep reading and learn more about MDS, create a free account to gain exclusive access. There, you can watch our newest unreleased videos and easily explore topics through our organized courses. Visit HealthTree University and become an empowered patient today! 

CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT