Low dose Ara-C for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Abstract

Forty patients with high risk myelodysplastic syndromes--refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia--were treated with subcutaneous low dose cytosine arabinoside, 10 mg/m2 twice daily for up to 42 days. In 38 evaluable patients there were nine (24%) complete and four (11%) partial responses. Response was associated with symptomatic improvement and resolution of the need for red cell and platelet transfusions. The median duration of complete response was 9.8 months (range, 2.4-17.9); these patients had a median survival of 15.7 months (range, 6.0-22.7). Toxicities were predominantly those associated with pancytopenia, i.e., infection and hemorrhage.

• Authors: B L Powell, R L Capizzi, D V Jackson, F Richards, H B Muss, E S Lyerly, D L Rosenbaum, R A Connelly, D H Buss, J D Bearden
• Journal: Leukemia (Leukemia) Vol. 2 Issue 3 Pg. 153-6 (Mar 1988) ISSN: 0887-6924 [Print] England
• PMID: 3347093 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Cytarabine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bacterial Infections (etiology)
• Blood Cell Count
• Bone Marrow (pathology)
• Cytarabine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Hemorrhage (etiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes (blood, complications, drug therapy)
• Remission Induction