Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Use of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Assess the Origin of Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Published on: October 3, 2018
Hypocellularity in myelodysplastic syndrome is an independent factor which predicts a favorable outcome
Gang Yue1, Suyang Hao, Oluwole Fadare
1Department of Pathology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 3 Biotech, 1 Innovation Drive, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
Abstract:
Hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) represents only a small portion of MDS, of which, the clinical significance has not been well-defined. By using currently accepted age-adjusted criteria to define hypocellularity as <30% in patients <70 years old, and <20% in >70 years old, we identified 163 (15.5%) hypocelluar MDS from 1049 consecutive adult MDS patients over an 11-year period (1995-2006). Compared to normal/hypercellular MDS, hypocellular MDS patients were younger (p<0.01), less anemic (p=0.02), but more neutropenic (p<0.001) and thrombocytopenic (p=0.05), and had a comparable cytogenetic risk group distribution (p=0.09) and international prognostic scores (IPSS, p=0.13). With a median follow-up of 52 months, hypocellular MDS showed a favorable overall survival (56 months versus 28 months, log-rank p<0.0001) over normal/hypocellular MDS, and this survival preference was also demonstrated in all IPSS groups and cytogenetic risk groups, and was independent of all other risk factors (Cox regression test, p=0.01). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that hypocellular MDS has characteristic clinicopathologic features, and bone marrow hypocellularity in MDS is an independent factor which predicts a favorable outcome.
Insights
Hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is rare but has distinct features. This study found hypocellular MDS patients have a significantly better overall survival than normal/hypercellular MDS.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Bone Marrow Disorders
Background:
- Hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a less common subtype of MDS.
- Its clinical significance and prognostic implications remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the clinicopathologic features of hypocellular MDS.
- To evaluate the prognostic impact of bone marrow hypocellularity in MDS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1049 adult MDS patients diagnosed between 1995-2006.
- Defined hypocellularity using age-adjusted criteria (<30% for <70 years, <20% for >70 years).
- Compared clinical characteristics, cytogenetics, IPSS, and survival between hypocellular and normal/hypercellular MDS.
Main Results:
- 163 (15.5%) patients had hypocellular MDS.
- Hypocellular MDS patients were younger, less anemic, but more neutropenic and thrombocytopenic.
- Hypocellular MDS demonstrated significantly favorable overall survival (56 vs. 28 months, p<0.0001) across all risk groups.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow hypocellularity in MDS is associated with characteristic clinical features.
- Hypocellularity is an independent predictor of favorable prognosis in myelodysplastic syndrome.
- This finding has implications for risk stratification and treatment strategies in MDS.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
01:27Disorders of Leukocytes
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...