Myelodysplastic syndromes, aging, and age: correlations, common mechanisms, and clinical implications

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogenous group of myeloid neoplasms that develop primarily in elderly patients. Although a specific molecular basis for the predominant incidence of MDS in higher age groups remains unknown, several lines of evidence suggest that the biology of aging and the pathogenesis of MDS share several genetic, epigenetic, and molecular features. The current review attempts to delineate these common aspects as well as additional discriminative features that are specific for MDS and thus help explaining disease-evolution and progression. In addition, the present review discusses age as an important prognostic factor and co-variable to be considered in treatment algorithms in MDS.