Myelodysplastic Syndromes Adding growth factors or interleukin-3 to erythropoietin has limited effects on ane- mia of transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes unre- sponsive to erythropoietin alone

Background and Objectives. Recombinant erythropoietin (r-EPO) induces erythroid responses in patients affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, the response rate declines to 10-15% in MDS with substantial transfusion needs. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that the addition of growth factors (GCSF, GM-CSF) or interleukin-3 (IL-3) may potentiate the effect of r-EPO on dysplastic erythropoiesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the combination of rEPO with G-CSF, GM-CSF or IL-3 on the anemia of heavily transfusion-dependent MDS patients, previously unresponsive to r-EPO alone.