Ontada, a McKesson business dedicated to real-world oncology insights, will present results from a retrospective cohort study at the 67th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. The study, titled “Maintaining Higher Hemoglobin Levels is Associated with Improved Overall Survival in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Real-world Retrospective Analysis of Electronic Health Records from a US Community Setting Over 20 Years,” examines how sustained hemoglobin levels affect survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Using structured electronic health record data from U.S. community practices spanning two decades, the analysis provides a detailed view of anemia management and its long-term outcomes in patients with MDS.

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The study found that patients who maintained hemoglobin levels above 10 grams per deciliter had a median overall survival of 54.1 months, compared to 25.2 months for those with hemoglobin levels between 8 and 10 grams per deciliter and 12.7 months for patients below 8 grams per deciliter. This survival benefit was observed across all risk categories defined by IPSS-R, including those at high and very high risk. Analysis by serum ferritin demonstrated that lower survival in patients with moderate or severe anemia could not be explained by iron overload, highlighting that the observed survival advantage was independent of iron status. At 72 months, survival rates were 38.2 percent for patients with hemoglobin levels above 10 grams per deciliter, compared with 16.3 percent for those with 8–10 grams per deciliter and 5.9 percent for those below 8 grams per deciliter.

“This analysis raises important questions about current transfusion guidelines and clinical practices that allow moderate to severe anemia in MDS,” said Ira Zackon, MD, senior medical director at Ontada. He noted that further research and validation are needed, but the findings suggest that maintaining hemoglobin above 10 grams per deciliter using available anemia-directed therapies, including transfusions, could improve survival regardless of disease risk or iron status.

The study included 6,533 adult patients with MDS and moderate to severe anemia at baseline. Researchers used electronic health record data from 2005 through 2025 and grouped patients based on median hemoglobin levels after starting anemia-directed therapy: below 8 grams per deciliter, 8–10 grams per deciliter, and above 10 grams per deciliter. Overall survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis with additional sensitivity analyses considering IPSS-R risk and serum ferritin levels.

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Ontada is also presenting nine additional abstracts at ASH, covering topics such as real-world adoption of bispecific antibodies in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and treatment patterns and outcomes in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Christine Davis, president of Ontada, emphasized that the company is committed to transforming cancer care through real-world evidence and that its participation at ASH underscores the value of these insights for clinical practice and improving patient outcomes.

Attendees can explore the full list of Ontada abstracts and presentations on the ASH 2025 website. Ontada will also have a booth at the Orange County Convention Center from December 6 through December 8, where data will be available for review. McKesson-supported oncology businesses, including Ontada and Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present more than 100 abstracts at the event. Additionally, McKesson representatives Jason Hammonds, president of Oncology & Multispecialty, and Dr. Nathan Shumway, medical oncologist and hematologist at Texas Oncology, will participate in a fireside chat hosted by STAT titled “Bringing Hope Home” on December 5, discussing strategies to address disparities and improve access to high-quality cancer care nationwide.

This study highlights the importance of maintaining hemoglobin above 10 grams per deciliter in patients with MDS and reinforces the potential of real-world evidence to guide treatment decisions, optimize patient outcomes, and inform clinical guidelines.

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