Lenalidomide treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes with chromosome 5q deletion: Results from the National Registry of the Italian Drug Agency

Objective: The most typical cytogenetic aberration in myelodysplastic syndromes is del(5q), which, when isolated, is associated with refractory anaemia and good prognosis. Based on high rates of erythroid response and transfusion independence, Lenalidomide (LEN) became the standard treatment. This multi-centre study was designed to supplement Italian Registry data on LEN by addressing prescription, administration appropriateness, haematological and cytogenetic responses and disease evolution. Methods: MORE study was an observational, non-interventional, multi-centre, retrospective and prospective study. Cases were recruited from 45 Haematological Centres throughout Italy. Data were collected from the Italian National Registry for Lenalidomide administration and supplemented by a MORE data form. Results: Data from 190/213 patients were analysed. In all, 149 had been diagnosed by conventional cytogenetics (GROUP A) and 41 only by FISH (GROUP B). Overall erythroid response was obtained in 92.8% of cases. Overall cytogenetic remission was achieved in 22.6% of cases. Disease progression occurred in 15.6% of cases. Clonal cytogenetic evolution characterised progression to AML but not to higher risk MDS. Conclusions: Erythroid response to Lenalidomide was similar in MDS with isolated del(5q) and with del(5q) plus one anomaly. Progression to AML or higher risk MDS showed different cytogenetic features.