Luspatercept for the treatment of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with SF3B1 mutation: a real-world single-center research in China.

Background: Luspatercept, approved by the FDA and EMA for patients with transfusion-dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS) unresponsive to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), lacks extensive real-world data, particularly in China.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 14 LR-MDS-SF3B1 patients treated with luspatercept for ≥12 weeks.

Results: Median age was 60 years (range 47-72); 42.9% were male. Before treatment, 78.6% were transfusion-dependent, and 42.9% had prior ESA therapy. At median 24-week follow-up (range 12-44), erythroid response rates were 71.43% (week 12), 75.00% (week 16), and 62.50% (week 24). Hemoglobin levels significantly improved at weeks 12 and 24 (P = 0.013, P = 0.005). No grade 3-4 adverse events occurred. Hematologic improvement-erythroid (HI-E) patients exhibited higher white blood cells, neutrophils, and reticulocytes at week 12 versus non-HI-E patients. Bone marrow analysis revealed erythroid hyperplasia in HI-E patients, with higher erythrocyte percentage (56.00% vs. 34.00%, P = 0.023), lower myeloid-to-erythroid ratio (0.60 vs. 1.59, P = 0.024), and increased polychromatic erythroblasts (19.50% vs. 10.00%, P = 0.034).

Conclusions: Luspatercept demonstrated efficacy and safety in Chinese LR-MDSSF3B1 patients. Greater erythroid hyperplasia correlated with better clinical response.