Anemia can negatively affect quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP, clinical oncology pharmacy manager, Atrium Health Levine Cancer in Charlotte, North Carolina, and David Sallman, MD, assistant member, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Their discussion elucidates an array of patient-centered approaches, touches on social determinants of health, and highlights collaborative measures to support care coordination in the management of anemia in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

“It really does take a village to manage the anemia of high-risk MDS…We as providers need to think through transfusion mitigation strategies but also keep our patients safe.” –Amy DeZern, MD, MHS

“Health disparities can play a really important role in affecting outcomes. And a lot of that is multifactorial—it may be due to patients without insurance having a higher tendency to delay seeking care due to the associated cost of seeking medical attention, and therefore they may present sicker.”—Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP

“There’s no question, especially as therapies are getting more complex, and the side effects as far as the severity of cytopenias are increasing, this collaboration between blood bank centers and community oncologists is going to be increasingly important.”—David Sallman, MD

Amy DeZern, MD, MHS

Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program

Professor of Oncology and Medicine

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, MD

Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP

Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Manager

Atrium Health Levine Cancer

Charlotte, NC

David Sallman, MD

Assistant Member, Department of Malignant Hematology

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, Florida

This episode was developed in connection with an initiative of the ACCC education program Myelodyplastic Syndromes, Optimal Management of Anemia in Adults with High-Risk MDS, which is supported by Gilead.

Resources:

Myelodysplastic Syndromes - ACCC

Achieving & Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Project - ACCC

Disparities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia - ACCC