Outcomes after venetoclax with hypomethylating agents in myelodysplastic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We present a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes after venetoclax (VEN) with hypomethylating agents (HMA) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We performed a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Clinicaltrials.gov. After screening 2004 manuscripts, 16 studies were included. Data was extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package by Schwarzer et al. Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. We analyzed the outcomes of 373 patients from 11 retrospective studies and five phase 1 b clinical trials. Pooled complete response with or without hematological recovery was 60% (95% CI 0.49-0.7, I-2= 67%, n = 373). Hematopoietic cell transplantation was performed in 32% of patients (95% CI 0.2-0.46, I-2= 62%, n = 187). Overall mortality was 45% (95% CI 0.31-0.59, I-2=54%, n = 140). VEN-HMA combination therapy demonstrated promising outcomes in MDS. Prospective randomized data is needed to ascertain the benefit of VEN and its impact in MDS patients.