With a median follow-up of 21 months (range: 8-41), 67% of patients were still alive at 30 months; when patients were stratified on the basis of treatment, median OS was 33 months for patients receiving erythropoietin (Epo), granulocyte stimulating factor (G-CSF) or supportive care, compared to 37 months for those treated with azacitidine, and 21 months for patients affected by chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) or 5q- syndrome that received hydroxyurea or lenalidomide. The gene discussed is EPO; the disease is chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.