7. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents
Another type of supportive care is a therapy that provides erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or ESAs. This particular type of therapy is used when the red blood cells are impaired.
ESAs work by activating the receptors for erythropoietin in the bone marrow, leading to increased production of red blood cells (RBCs). This results in a rise in the number of RBCs circulating in the blood.
6. Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic therapy can help treat myelodysplastic syndrome by addressing the increased risk of infections that can occur as a result of the disease. The myelodysplastic syndrome often causes a decrease in the number of white blood cells produced by the bone marrow, which are important for fighting infections.
As a result, patients with myelodysplastic syndrome are at higher risk for infections and may need to receive antibiotics to prevent or treat them. Antibiotic therapy can help lessen the risk of infection.
5. Lenalidomide
Lenalidomide is a drug therapy that can help treat the myelodysplastic syndrome. It works by affecting the immune system and by altering the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
Lenalidomide has been shown to improve the number and quality of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets produced by the bone marrow in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. This can help relieve symptoms related to anemia, infections, and bleeding.
4. Immunosuppressive Therapy
Immunosuppressive therapy is a type of treatment that suppresses or reduces the activity of the immune system. Considered another type of drug therapy, it can be used to help treat patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.
This particular type of drug therapy can reduce the need for blood transfusion. Examples of immunosuppressive drugs used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome include azathioprine, cyclosporine, and mycophenolate mofetil.
These drugs are usually given orally and may be used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, or radiation therapy.
3. Azacitidine And Decitabine
Azacitidine and decitabine are medications that can be used to help treat myelodysplastic syndrome. They belong to a class of drugs known as hypomethylating agents, which work by altering the structure of DNA in the cells of the bone marrow.
In myelodysplastic syndrome, the normal process of blood cell production in the bone marrow is disrupted, leading to the production of abnormal cells. Azacitidine and decitabine work by affecting the DNA of the cells in the bone marrow, helping to correct the abnormal process and improving the production of healthy blood cells.
2. Chemotherapy With Stem Cell Transplant
Chemotherapy in combination with a stem cell transplant is a treatment option for myelodysplastic syndrome. This approach involves first administering high-dose chemotherapy to destroy the abnormal cells in the bone marrow.
It is then followed by a transplant of healthy stem cells to help restore normal blood cell production. The healthy stem cells grow and replenish the body’s blood cells.
1. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a treatment option for myelodysplastic syndrome. It aims to eliminate cancerous cells in the blood, thereby alleviating discomfort caused by an enlarged liver, spleen, or swollen lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy can also be used to address pain caused by cancer cells that have infiltrated the bone marrow and caused damage to the bones.
These are myelodysplastic syndrome symptoms and treatments worth knowing about.