Related Experiment Videos
Decitabine: in myelodysplastic syndromes
Kate McKeage1, Katherine F Croom
1Adis International Limited, 51 Centorian Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 1311, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Drugs
|June 3, 2006
Summary
Decitabine, a hypomethylating agent, effectively treats myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) by reactivating tumor suppressor genes. Clinical trials show decitabine significantly improves response rates and duration compared to supportive care alone.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Decitabine is a hypomethylating agent that targets DNA.
- It functions by reactivating tumor suppressor genes, promoting cancer cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and response rates of decitabine in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Main Methods:
- A randomized phase III trial involved 170 MDS patients receiving intravenous decitabine (45 mg/m²/day for 3 days every 6 weeks) plus supportive care.
- Three phase II studies assessed decitabine (40 or 50 mg/m²/day for 3 days every 5-6 weeks) in MDS patients.
Main Results:
- The phase III trial demonstrated a significantly higher response rate (17% vs 0%; p < 0.001) with decitabine plus supportive care compared to supportive care alone.
- Median times to response and duration of response were 3.3 and 10.3 months, respectively, in the phase III trial.
- Phase II studies reported response or improvement rates from 26% to 49%, with median durations of 4.9 to 8.3 months.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous decitabine combined with supportive care is an effective treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes.
- The primary adverse event associated with decitabine is myelosuppression.