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RBC transfusions can temporarily alleviate the symptoms of anemia3,18,20

Even though they are a key component of care, frequent transfusions are often associated with complications for patients. Due to the lack of durable response to treatment, many patients become transfusion-dependent during the course of their disease.3,21-24

Graphic illustrating that up 45%–65% of ESA-relapsed/refractory, lower-risk MDS patients may require red blood cell transfusions.

of ESA-relapsed/refractory, lower-risk MDS patients may require RBC transfusions25

Transfusion dependence is associated with clinical, health-related quality of life, and economic consequences for patients with moderate to severe anemia3,19,20,24

Graphic illustrating the various clinical, social, and economic consequences experienced by transfusion-dependent patients.

Periodic recurrence of symptoms due to fluctuating hemoglobin concentration

Iron overload

Decreased progression-free survival and overall survival

Time-consuming

Frequent hospital and/or clinic visits

Increased dependency on caregivers

Higher healthcare costs

Graphic showing picture of patient and a quote from that patient about how time-consuming having a blood transfusion can be.
“Every time you have to get blood, it’s about an hour and a half to 2 hours per unit. It cuts into your life.”

— Ed, a real patient with lower-risk MDS

Transfusion burden in patients with lower-risk MDS impacts survival7,*

Kaplan-Meier curve showing shorter overall survival for those MDS patients with a higher transfusion burden, vs a low burden or none at all

Chart adapted from Sangerman MA, et al.7

*

Analysis of survival correlated with prospectively registered transfusion burden in 474 patients diagnosed with lower-risk MDS based on revised IPSS selection criteria at the Catalan Institute of Oncology of Barcelona between January 1992 and July 2018. Overall survival was measured in years since diagnosis. Longitudinal transfusion burden was calculated by dividing the cumulative total RBC units by the number of weeks between first transfusion and death. RBC transfusion burden was stratified according to 2018 IWG criteria, dividing patients into 3 categories: non-transfused (0-2 units/16 weeks), low transfusion burden (3-7 units/16 weeks), and high transfusion burden (>8 units/16 weeks).7

In a prospective, observational, single-center, European study of lower-risk MDS patients, high transfusion burden was found to predict low overall survival.7,*

Patients who achieve or maintain transfusion independence may live longer26,†

Graphic illustrating 59% of patients observed reduction in mortality risk for MDS patients who were transfusion independent vs transfusion dependent. and 47% of patients observed reduction in mortality risk for lower-risk MDS patients who became transfusion independent through treatment.

Observed reduction in mortality risk for MDS patients who were transfusion independent vs transfusion dependent26

Graphic illustrating 59% of patients observed reduction in mortality risk for MDS patients who were transfusion independent vs transfusion dependent. and 47% of patients observed reduction in mortality risk for lower-risk MDS patients who became transfusion independent through treatment.

Observed reduction in mortality risk for lower-risk MDS patients who became transfusion independent through treatment26

†

‍Mortality risk findings were based on a meta-analysis of 5 studies between January 2014 and May 2014, on the association between transfusion independence and OS in patients with MDS. Studies were included in the analysis if they had recruited adults aged >18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of MDS and had reported OS for transfusion-independent patients versus transfusion-dependent patients.26

Underserved subgroups, such as patients who are ESA ineligible or relapsed or refractory to treatments, particularly RS negative or RS positive with high transfusion burden, are at greater risk for suboptimal overall survival.3,7,8

Learn about malignant hematopoiesis in lower-risk MDS

ESA, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; IPSS, International Prognostic Scoring System; IWG, International Working Group; MDS, myelodysplastic syndromes; OS, overall survival; PFS, progression-free survival; RBC, red blood cell; RS, ring sideroblasts.