Treatment Utilization and Characteristics Among Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes According to Hypomethylating Agent Use

Introduction: Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are standard of care treatment for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) who are ineligible for stem-cell transplantation or intensive chemotherapy. Until recently, approved HMAs included intravenous or subcutaneous azacitidine and decitabine, which should be administered for a minimum of 4-6 cycles to elicit response in the absence of progression or unacceptable toxicity. In real-world clinical practice, underutilization of HMA therapy has been documented; however, prior estimates have utilized data preceding 2016. The study objectives were to understand recent treatment utilization and characteristics among patients newly diagnosed with HR-MDS in the United States (US).