title: Limitations of the therapeutic regimens for myelodysplastic syndrome.
abstract: Thirty patients of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were treated over a period of 2 yr using 3 different treatment regimens. Twelve patients received hydroxyurea, 4 were given low dose cytosine arabinoside and 14 others were treated with an aggressive acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) induction regimen. A low complete remission was obtained in the first 2 groups (17 and 25% respectively), whereas 9 (64%) patients attained complete remission with the AML induction regimen. Remission in the latter group was associated with prolonged and severe pancytopenia requiring intensive support. Patients in all the 3 groups had a short duration of remission culminating in death with progressive marrow failure or evolution to AML, indicating the limitations of the current treatment strategies for MDS and highlighting the need for exploring newer therapeutic approaches.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Advani
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gopal
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Das Gupta
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Saikia
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kurkure
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Pai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D006918:Hydroxyurea