Meetings

MDS+AML MATTER

Multidisciplinary Approach to Testing and Diagnosis, Evaluation of Risk, and Personalized Treatment Selection

Are you recognizing and diagnosing myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) early? Are you confident with disease classification and risk stratification for your patients with MDS and AML? Participate in MDS+AML MATTER, a free education program created in partnership by ASH, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, National Marrow Donor Program, Oncology Nursing Society, and The France Foundation.

The MDS+AML MATTER program offers CME credit and includes both live and online learning opportunities designed to provide guidance to the interdisciplinary MDS and AML care team on:

  • The optimal diagnosis and classification of both MDS and AML
  • Risk stratification and individualized treatment selection
  • Assessment of treatment responses
  • Monitoring for and mitigation of adverse events
  • Patient education regarding prognosis and treatment choices 

  • Appropriately interpret MDS and AML testing based on available evidence and guidance
  • Incorporate important aspects of bone marrow specimen acquisition, preparation, and conveyance that affect the accuracy of the pathologist’s interpretation
  • Accurately identify implications of test results for MDS and AML
  • Identify cytogenetic and molecular tests that must be performed when diagnosing MDS or AML
  • Effectively use tools for classification and risk stratification based on morphological, clinical, and genetic criteria
  • Recognize scenarios in which older patients and/or those with comorbidities may still be eligible for interventions previously considered too risky
  • Select therapy on an individual patient basis, factoring in data on efficacy and safety data and relevant recommendations
  • Describe common MDS and AML comorbidities and how they can affect disease management and outcomes
  • Summarize factors determining patient selection for and timing of HCT consultation for MDS and AML
  • Apply best practices in communications within the clinical care team to ensure optimal diagnosis and treatment for patients with MDS and AML, from screening to ongoing post-treatment evaluation and clinical management
  • Formulate a management plan that delineates scheduled time for patient discussions regarding symptom management and important aspects of care and emotional wellbeing, including referral to appropriate resources
  • Recognize key aspects of the pharmacologic profiles of relevant agents
  • Formulate a plan for monitoring and managing expected adverse events and adherence to oral agents

Who Should Attend?

The target audience for this program includes members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team involved in the diagnosis and management of patients with MDS or AML, including:

  • Hematology/oncology physicians
  • Pathologists and hematopathologists
  • Advance practice providers
  • Clinical nurses
  • Hematopoietic cell transplantation clinicians
  • Other health care professionals

Summit Dates and Locations

Four in-person summits took place between September 2018 and January 2019. To access enduring materials, including opportunities for online learning, please visit the summit website.

Steering Committee

  • Jessica Altman, MD, Steering Committee Chair, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • AnneMarie Block, PhD, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
  • Linda J. Burns, MD, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match
  • Robert Paul Hasserjian, MD, Harvard Medical School
  • Heidi Klepin, MD, Wake Forest Baptist Health
  • Michael Linden, MD, PhD, University of Minnesota
  • Kirsten Roblee, BSN, RN, OCN, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
  • B. Douglas Smith, MD, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center