Azacitidine for High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Patients who received azacitidine achieved longer overall survival than those who received conventional care.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) — a heterogeneous group of marrow-failure disorders — are associated with infectious or bleeding complications from cytopenias and with excess risk for acute leukemic transformation. Patient outcomes and survival typically have been poor, given limited therapeutic options and prevalence of MDS in older individuals and those with comorbid diseases. Although the hypomethylating agents 5-azacitidine (Vidaza; AC) and decitabine (Dacogen) have been shown to provide responses in MDS patients, their clinical effects are unclear.

To assess the effects of AC on overall survival (OS) in MDS patients, researchers conducted an industry-supported, international phase III trial involving 358 individuals (median age, 69) wit…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee