Iron Dysregulation in the Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are bone marrow cancers affecting the elderly, characterised by low blood counts and a risk of progressing to acute leukaemia. This thesis investigates the role of iron imbalance in the evolution of MDS to leukaemia using an animal model. Findings indicate that young MDS mice exhibited significantly elevated iron levels even before the onset of low blood counts. Addressing this iron imbalance slowed disease progression and development of leukaemia. This study highlighted the potential for therapeutic interventions targeting iron regulation in MDS, a condition that has no universally accepted treatments and significantly impacts patients' quality of life.