Is there a new shot/treatment for MDS???
 

The doctor called today and said their is a new shot to help her MDS. Probably make new red blood cells. He said it costs $10000 @month. He wanted to know if she had supplement D. She doesn't :(. I wondered if anyone had heard of something like this. Does anyone know what this might be? I can't believe Medicare won't pay for it.

Junglegirlsue,

The doctor is probably referring to drugs called erythropoiesis stimulating agents or ESAs (brand names: Epogen, Procrit, Aranesp), which are not new but are used to increase red blood counts. There has been a lot of discussion about Medicare's coverage for these drugs. It can be very expensive for a patient to pay for them when insurance coverage is denied.

Regards,
Ruth Cuadra

New drug for MDS
 

Hi Junglegirlsue,
You have to ask the doctor about the name of the new drug :confused:. As far as I know no new drug has been approved for MDS recently.

I understand that you and your mother live in Dallas, Texas. You know that the best cancer hospital in the world is situated in Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center :). If your mother isn´t too tired due to her disease she could perhaps participate in a trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

There are many trials for MDS but I think that the combination of Vidaza (azacitidine) and MGCD0103 could be very effective. Here is a link to that trial:
http://utm-ext01a.mdacc.tmc.edu/dept...ndex/2005-0659

Remember to avoid AMG 531 where 22 of 44 patients with MDS got increased symptoms :(!
Kind regards
Birgitta-A