Join the Fight Against MDS
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Activity Overview
In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the biology, genetics, and pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These advances have led to meaningful developments in how the disease is diagnosed, risk-stratified, and managed—insights that will be reflected in the upcoming revision of the International Treatment Guidelines, set to be presented and published by a leading global consortium of MDS experts.
Among the evolving topics in the field is the role of morphology in modern medicine—a question that has become increasingly relevant in 2025. This issue will be explored in depth during the program, along with an important discussion on the implications of germline mutations in MDS patients and how this growing body of knowledge necessitates a reassessment of current clinical approaches.
The continued need for more effective therapies has also inspired the inclusion of a dedicated session on drug development, with a specific focus on the MDS pipeline.
Aligned with our patient-centeredness, the program will also feature a patient-centered discussion to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and the lived experience of those navigating MDS in real-world settings.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for physicians, oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals interested in the treatment and management of patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes and related neoplasms.
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn about novel information obtained over the last decade and will hear about potential applications in the field of MDS:
- Attendees will learn about the new international guidelines. This will allow physicians around the globe to provide MDS patients with the best and updated approach to diagnosis and treatment.
- The morphology session will sharpen the conditions in which in 2025 we still need morphology and where and how other modern techniques at the present time or in the future might allow us to skip it.
- In the germline session the rapidly growing updated evidence will be presented and discussed focusing on the question of whether or not and in which conditions pro-active approach is preferred or a conservative management is optimal.
- The special session on drug development in MDS will open a window to the process of drug development in general, and in MDS in particular. Attendees will be granted better tools to interpret clinical trials and how to bridge the gap between trials’ findings and real-world practice. Finally, all stakeholders (investigators, regulators, pharmas, general audience) might take some lessons and recommendations for future improvements. This might be the beginning of a productive discussion.
- Patient discussion will complete the educational lessons by combining scientific evidence with practical real-life issues.
Co-Chairs
Moshe Mittelman, MD
Valeria Santini, MD
Speakers
Rafael Bejar, MD, PhD
Rena Buckstein, MD, FRCPC
Carmelo Gurnari
Robert P. Hasserjian
Arjan van de Loosdrecht, MD, PhD
Stephen D. Nimer, MD
David P. Steensma, MD, FACP
Peggy Ann Torney
Agenda
07.00 - 07.10 am
Welcome
Stephen Nimer, Chairman, MDS Foundation; Peggy Ann Torney, CEO, MDS Foundation
07.10 - 07.15 am
Program Overview
Valeria Santini, Florence, Italy
07.15 - 07.35 am
An Update: The New MDS International Guidelines
Rena Buckstein, Toronto, Canada
07.35 - 08.00 am
Debate I: Is Morphology Still the Basis for MDS Diagnosis and Follow-up?
Yes: Robert Hasserjian, Boston, Massachusetts; No: Arjan van de Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Netherlands
08.00 - 08.40 am
Patient Discussion – Moderator: Valeria Santini
Expert Panel: Rafael Bejar and Rena Buckstein
08.40 - 09.05 am
Debate II: Should Individuals with an MDS Germline Mutation be Proactively Treated?
Yes: Carmelo Gurnari, Rome, Italy; No: Rafael Bejar, San Diego, California
09.05 - 09.55 am
A Critical Review and Discussion on the Current Paradigms of Drug Development
Valeria Santini, Florence; Moshe Mittelman, Tel Aviv, Israel; David Steensma, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Ajax Therapeutics);
09.55 - 10.00 am
Closing Remarks
Valeria Santini, Florence
Criteria for Success
There is no fee to participate in this activity. Statements of credit will be awarded based on the participant's attendance. A statement of credit will be available upon completion of an online evaluation/claim credit form available at:
CE credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and MDS. AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
In support of improving patient care, AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 3 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this live activity for a maximum
of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit
commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses
Credit being awarded: 3 ANCC contact hours
Pharmacists
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this continuing education
activity for 3 contact hours.
Physician Assistant
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 3 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Commercial Support
This program is made possible by the generous support of the following companies:
- Agios
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Geron
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals
- Taiho Oncology, Inc.
Disclosures
It is the policy of AKH Inc. to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all its continuing education activities. The author must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with ineligible companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activity or with the commercial supporter of this continuing education activity. Identified conflicts of interest are mitigated by AKH prior to accreditation of the activity. AKH planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use and Investigational Product
This educational activity may include discussion of uses of agents that are investigational and/or unapproved by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer
This course is designed solely to provide the healthcare professional with information to assist in his/her practice and professional development and is not to be considered a diagnostic tool to replace professional advice or treatment. The course serves as a general guide to the healthcare professional, and therefore, cannot be considered as giving legal, nursing, medical, or other professional advice in specific cases. AKH Inc. specifically disclaim responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through participants misunderstanding of the content. If you would like to opt out from future communications from AKH please send an email to optout@akhcme.com with your information with "Opt Out" in the subject line.
