NCCN Task Force Report: Transfusion and Iron Overload in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Greenberg, PL, Rigsby C, Stone RM, Deeg J, Gore S, Millenson M, Nimer S, O'Donnell M, Shami P, Kumar R. J Nat Comp Cancer Network. 2009; 7 ((Suppl 9): S1-16

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) convened a multidisciplinary task force to critically review the evidence for iron chelation and the rationale for treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The task force was charged with addressing issues related to tissue iron toxicity; the role of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing iron overload; the rationale and role of treating transfusional iron overload in patients with MDS; the impact of iron overload on bone marrow transplantation. This report summarizes the background data and ensuing discussion from the NCCN Task Force meeting on transfusional iron overload in MDS.

Peter Greenberg