Myelodysplastic syndromes. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology.

These suggested practice guidelines extensively evaluate reviewed risk-based data and indicate useful current approaches for managing MDS. Given the limited number of studies comparing different therapies in MDS, most of the therapeutic drugs used to treat this disease should be assessed in the context of clinical trials. A number of clinical trials are ongoing assessing the efficacy of novel biospecific agents in MDS (see related article in this issue, page 473). The role of thrombopoietic cytokines for management of thrombocytopenia in MDS needs further evaluation. In addition, determination of the effects of these therapeutic interventions on the patient's quality of life is important. Further progress toward improving management of MDS is anticipated using these guidelines as a framework for coordination of suggested comparative clinical trials.