Panel Discusses Imetelstat for Lower-Risk MDS Treatment

By Melissa Badamo, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD, Jamie Koprivnikar, MD, Solly Chedid, MD, Thomas LeBlanc, MD, MA - Last Updated: November 20, 2024

A roundtable discussion moderated by Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, focused on the latest updates in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The panel included Jamie Koprivnikar, MD, of the Hackensack University Medical Center; Solly Chedid, MD, of Singing River Health System; and Thomas LeBlanc, MD, MA, of Duke Cancer Institute.

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In this roundtable segment, the panel discussed imetelstat for the treatment of lower-risk MDS.

Dr. Garcia-Manero: I don’t have experience with imetelstat. Did anyone have the opportunity to use the drug or were part of the studies?

Dr. Koprivnikar: We have a waiting list of patients who are trying to get [imetelstat] formulary approved here. We also were not part of the studies, although there are some considerations here in preparing to use this agent. It is a longer [intravenous] infusion that does require pre-medications. We have seen transient cytopenias in terms of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia along with this agent. Talking about these quality-of-life measures also becomes a consideration. Very much to Tom’s point, we have so many patients that are going to utilize and benefit from every single one of these agents and sequence. But there are some dosing and toxicity considerations unique to each individual agent. More of that story is going to unfold as we get access to this agent and more experience using it.

I’m just excited to have options. We have plenty of patients with lower-risk, transfusion-dependent MDS who have failed luspatercept, have failed [erythropoiesis stimulating agents]. We’re waiting to get this tool into our hands and hope that they’re going to be one of those 40% of responders. For patients who do respond, the responses tend to be quite durable. This newer agent is going to be very life-changing for a lot of our patients with transfusion-dependent, lower-risk MDS who have failed other agents.

Dr. Garcia-Manero: I agree with you that the more drugs we have, the better.

Post Tags:MDS Roundtable
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