Background
We evaluated the characteristics of a cohort of patients with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) to create a prognostic model.
Patients and Methods
We identified 281 patients with MDS that had received prior chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for prior malignancy. Potential prognostic factors were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results
Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified 7 factors that independently predicted short survival in t-MDS: age ≥65 years (HR=1.63), ECOG performance status 2–4 (HR=1.86), poor cytogenetics (−7 and/or complex; HR=2.47), WHO MDS subtype (RARs or RAEB-1/2; HR=1.92), hemoglobin (<11g/dL; HR=2.24), platelets (<50×109/dL; HR=2.01), and transfusion dependency (HR=1.59). These risk factors were used to create a prognostic model that segregated patients into three groups with distinct median overall survival: good (0–2 risk factors; 34 months), intermediate (3–4 risk factors; 12 months) and poor (5–7 risk factors; 5 months) (p<0.001) and 1-year leukemia free survival (96%, 84%, and 72%, respectively, p=0.003). This model also identified distinct survival groups according to t-MDS therapy.
Conclusion
In summary, we devised a prognostic model specifically for patients with t-MDS that predicts overall survival and leukemia-free survival. This model may facilitate the development of risk-adapted therapeutic strategies.