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Hematology

How Do Erythroid Maturation Agents Treat Myelodysplastic Syndromes?

This newer treatment option may help improve blood cell counts and reduce anemia symptoms.

Lauren Smith, MAKaren Hovav, MD, FAAP
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP
Updated on May 15, 2025
Featuring Jonathan Feld, MDReviewed by Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP | May 15, 2025

Myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, may cause low or abnormal blood cell counts. In MDS, immature stem cells may not mature into healthy, normal blood cells. One newer option that may help is called an erythroid maturation agent, or EMA.

In this video, learn what EMAs are and how they may help treat certain people with MDS, according to Jonathan Feld, MD, Hematology Specialist at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

References

American Cancer Society. (2018). General approach to treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes.

American Society of Hematology. (n.d.). Anemia.

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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