This discussion elucidates an array of patient-centered approaches, touches on social determinants of health, and highlights collaborative measures to support care coordination in the management of anemia in patients with high-risk MDS and AML
Anemia can negatively affect quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland; Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP, clinical oncology pharmacy manager, Atrium Health Levine Cancer in Charlotte, North Carolina; and David Sallman, MD, assistant member, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Their discussion elucidates an array of patient-centered approaches, touches on social determinants of health, and highlights collaborative measures to support care coordination in the management of anemia in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida
Charlotte, NC
David Sallman, MD
Baltimore, MD
Professor of Oncology and Medicine
“It really does take a village to manage the anemia of high-risk MDS…We as providers need to think through transfusion mitigation strategies but also keep our patients safe.” –Amy DeZern, MD, MHS
“Health disparities can play a really important role in affecting outcomes. And a lot of that is multifactorial—it may be due to patients without insurance having a higher tendency to delay seeking care due to the associated cost of seeking medical attention, and therefore they may present sicker.”—Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP
“There’s no question, especially as therapies are getting more complex, and the side effects as far as the severity of cytopenias are increasing, this collaboration between blood bank centers and community oncologists is going to be increasingly important.”—David Sallman, MD
Guests:
Amy DeZern, MD, MHS
This episode was developed in connection with an initiative of the ACCC education program Myelodyplastic Syndromes, Optimal Management of Anemia in Adults with High-Risk MDS, which is supported by Gilead.
Resources:
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
July 8, 2026
June 30, 2026
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
