Pre-MDS states: improving prognosis, novel therapeutic approaches, and challenges with distinguishing these conditions

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a heterogeneic group of disorders which remain a challenge to diagnose and treat. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in understanding various pre-MDS states, including idiopathic cytopenia of unknown significance (ICUS), clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), and clonal cytopenia of unknown significance (CCUS). The identification and classification of these pre-MDS states remains a challenge in the field, and it is important to continue developing distinct criteria to distinguish between these states and overt disease. In this podcast, you will hear from Moshe Mittelman, MD, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, and Klaus Metzeler, MD, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, who discuss approaches used to identify patients with pre-MDS states, the importance of early intervention, and challenges with distinguishing these conditions. The experts also highlight strategies that may be used to improve diagnosis, and further discuss treatment approaches being explored for these individuals.