Immune Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD
Chairman & Professor, Leukemia Department
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas

Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) - Administering a drug that suppresses the immune system—a technique called immunosuppression—appears to provide some benefit in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). ATG is the best immunosuppressive agent for the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia (a type of bone marrow disease) and produces results rivaling those of stem cell transplantation. This drug has also demonstrated activity in the treatment of patients with MDS. 

Clinical trial results suggest that more than 43 percent of patients with MDS respond to immunosuppression with ATG. This response lasted nearly 2½ years (29 months) on average. Combinations of ATG, cyclosporine, and steroids produce response rates of 40 percent to 50 percent in lower risk MDS, which are durable for 2 to 3 years.