I4MDS consortium: advancing MDS treatment and understanding
The role of the immune system in the pathophysiology of Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) is firmly established. However, routine immune monitoring for these patients is still not a common practice. Furthermore, a universally accepted protocol for which immune components should be monitored, including validated flow cytometry panels, is yet to be agreed upon.
To address these gaps, the MDS Immune Monitoring Meeting was convened in London, UK, on February 10-11, 2022. The meeting was led by Antonio Medina de Almeida, the President of EHA, Uwe Platzbecker EHA MDS SWG chair, Lionel Ades EHA MDS SWG deputy chair and Shahram Kordasti from King’s College London who also serves as an executive board member of the EHA MDS SWG. In a unanimous decision during this meeting, the formation of the International Integrative Innovative Immunology for MDS (i4MDS) initiative, a consortium aimed at advancing MDS treatment and understanding, was agreed upon.
With the backing of the EHA MDS SWG, the i4MDS consortium will closely collaborate to devise proposals for immune monitoring at the clinical level for MDS patients, while also working toward implementing validated immune signatures in MDS risk stratification. The involvement of international experts and clinicians will foster a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying MDS. This, in turn, will aid in creating targeted interventions and expediting drug development.
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I am very excited to be part of this crucial and promising initiative. Given the expertise within the i4MDS consortium, I am confident that we can execute essential immune monitoring approaches and more effectively stratify MDS patients to receive the most fitting immune-modulating treatments. |
| Shahram Kordasti King’s College London, SWG on MDS Executive Board member |
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This ambitious international collaborative project spans hematology in all its scope, from fundamental research to diagnosis and clinical practice. It has the potential to change our understanding and approach to patients with MDS. Through its support, EHA pursues its aim to change the future of hematology. |
| Antonio Medina de Almeida the President of EHA |
Objectives:
- Devise and recommend immune panels, including flow cytometry panels and Cytokine assays, for routine immune monitoring of MDS patients.
- Unite in identifying immune signatures which could potentially predict responses to MDS therapy.
- Host an annual conference on MDS immunology to share new findings and exchange ideas.
- Develop a database for clinically relevant immune data from MDS patients, accessible to all members for validation and research purposes.
- Support members in conducting research within the field of MDS immunology.
Participants and Tasks
The consortium is led by Dr. Shahram Kordasti, representing the MDS SWG. Other management team members include Uwe Platzbecker, Lionel Ades, and Antonio Medina de Almeida, the EHA president. Currently, 27 centers from 10 countries in Europe and the United States are actively participating in the consortium.
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Country |
Center |
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Denmark |
Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen |
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France |
Hopital Saint Louis |
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Université Paris Diderot UFR de Médecine Site Villemin |
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Hopital Cochin |
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Université Versailles St Quentin-Université Paris Saclay |
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Germany |
Leipzig University Hospital |
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MLL |
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University Hospital Dresden |
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Italy |
Humanitas Cancer Center |
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University of Florence |
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IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital |
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Netherlands |
Amsterdam UMC |
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Norway |
Haukeland University Hospital |
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Portugal |
Hospital da Luz Lisboa |
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Spain |
Vall d'Hebron |
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United Kingdom |
The Francis Crick Institute |
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University of Birmingham / University Hospitals Birmingham |
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Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS |
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Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation |
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University Hospital of Wales |
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King's College London |
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King's College Hospital |
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The Christie NHS Foundation Trust |
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United States |
Vanderbilt University |
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MD Anderson Cancer Center |
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Moffitt Cancer Center |
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National Institutes of Health |
We have agreed to establish several working groups (WG), each tackling different tasks. Such cooperative endeavors may reveal fresh insights and ground-breaking solutions that would be unattainable within a solitary research paradigm. Below are the summaries of the working groups and their specific responsibilities:
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