Defeating anaemia in myelodysplastic syndromes: another step forward

Myelodysplastic syndromes remain a group of neoplasias of difficult characterisation and even more difficult and frustrating clinical management, despite the increasing availability of treatment options. In The Lancet Oncology, Uwe Platzbecker and collegues1 have led a clinical study that has not only potentially opened new avenues for treatment of lower risk anaemic patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, but also has implications for the understanding of the biology of myelodysplastic syndrome.