Dr. Garcia-Manero discusses mature data on luspatercept’s efficacy in MDS

Guillermo Garcia-Manero MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses long-term data from the COMMANDS trial, highlighting the use of luspatercept (Reblozyl) as a first-line treatment for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). After 1.5 years, one-third of patients maintained durable responses, defined by reduced transfusion dependency and a hemoglobin increase of at least 1.5 g/dL. The toxicity profile remained consistent across treatment arms, and Dr. Garcia-Manero also noted emerging data suggesting that luspatercept may modulate inflammatory pathways, innate immunity, and proteins involved in cardiac remodeling, potentially indicating effects beyond erythropoiesis.