Highlights
i4MDS consortium
One of the most significant developments has been the launch and rapid progress of the International Integrative Innovative Immunology for Myelodysplastic Neoplasms consortium, also known as i4MDS.
This collaborative initiative—spearheaded by members of the MDS SWG—aims to transform the understanding and treatment of MDS through integrative immune profiling and cross-centre collaboration.
A major milestone was the awarding of the prestigious EHA Innovation Grant to the i4MDS consortium. This support acknowledges the innovative nature of the project and will accelerate research into immune-based risk stratification and therapeutic strategies for MDS.
The third general meeting of the i4MDS consortium, held in The Hague in February 2025, brought together over 50 participants from Europe, Canada, and the US. The meeting facilitated high-level discussions on data sharing, immune profiling, legal frameworks, and grant strategies, establishing a strong roadmap for collaborative clinical and translational MDS research.
Relevant advancements in the SWG area
Key advancements achieved with the involvement of SWG members include:
- The presentation of immune data from ~200 MDS patients, based on the i4MDS panels, as an oral abstract at ASH 2025 in San Diego—highlighting significant progress in immune profiling of MDS
- The refinement of multi-centre data sharing frameworks to support collaborative studies and enhance the robustness of immune monitoring
- Advances in understanding immune-mediated mechanisms in MDS, paving the way for personalised, immune-targeted therapeutic approaches
Top three follow-up priorities for the coming year
- Apply for large-scale program and joint grants to sustain and expand the work of the i4MDS consortium.
- Generate further immunological data to enable clinical implementation of immune monitoring in MDS.
- Develop and update clinical guidelines for MDS, integrating new immunological and genetic insights and multi-centre research findings.
Other priority areas include:
- Strengthening engagement within the SWG
- Enhancing educational initiatives to disseminate findings and support training in MDS immunology
Quotes from SWG Chair/members
“The i4MDS initiative reflects our collective ambition to shift paradigms in MDS by bringing immune science to the clinical frontline.
Receiving the EHA Innovation Grant is a validation of our vision and collaborative efforts.
Presenting our immune profiling data at ASH 2025 was a proud moment for our team. It demonstrated how multi-national collaboration can lead to robust and clinically meaningful insights.
As we move forward, our priorities are clear: strengthen data, build sustainable funding, and translate findings into better outcomes for MDS patients.” — SWG Chair