Until recently, the molecular pathophysiology of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) was very poorly understood. No cell or animal model of the disease existed, and therapeutic options were largely limited to supportive care or bone marrow transplantation. Recent discoveries have new insight into the genes and pathways dysregulated in MDS. An animal model of MDS has been generated that should further investigations, complimented by the FDA approval of three agents including lenalidomide and hypomethylating agents for the treatment of MDS. In this session, insights into the molecular basis of the 5q- syndrome, biological signatures of MDS and their emerging in selection of therapy, and an animal model of MDS will be presented.
New Concepts in Organ Site Research: Malignant Progression in Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Back to the Bench

Biologic response signatures in MDS; Alan F. List. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr. & Res. Inst., Tampa, FL

Molecular pathology of the 5q- syndrome; Benjamin Ebert. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA

The epigenetic control switch; Ari M. Melnick. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY

Development of MDS mouse model; Peter D. Aplan. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD,