Final Thoughts on Clinical Advances in MDS and CML

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In the final segment, moderator Harry P. Erba, MD, PhD, asks each panelist to provide their final thoughts on recent advances in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

In summary, Mark J. Levis, MD, PhD, notes that he is grateful to have omacetaxine mepesuccinate as a treatment option in CML. Additionally, he adds that the short marketing discontinuation for ponatinib was not a major hurdle, in general the treatment of CML looks very promising.

The major question facing the treatment of CML is financial burden, believes Elias J. Jabbour, MD. Since there are several options available, the next steps will involve the implementation of scientific knowledge about mutations and biology in order to continue to optimize therapy.

The treatment of patients with MDS is currently in the discovery phase, believes Rami S. Komrokji, MD. Hopefully, with further research, the same progress that has been made in CML will also translate into MDS.

Ruben A. Mesa, MD, notes excitement about the spectrum of potential options being researched for patients with MDS and CML. These approaches are beginning to address the individualization of care based on genetic, biology, metabolism of drugs, and heterogeneity. A number of pathways that were never considered targets are beginning to gain attention in clinical studies, notes Rafael Bejar, MD, PhD. Outside of genetics, the individualization of care will eventually take place at the epigenetic, proteomic, and metabolic levels, adds Bejar.