title: Arsenic trioxide, thalidomide and retinoid acid combination therapy in higher risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of arsenic trioxide, retinoic acid and thalidomide combination therapy in higher risk MDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients diagnosed with higher risk MDS were administered 10mg/day arsenic trioxide intravenously for 10 days, 40mg/day retinoic acid orally for 2 weeks and 100mg/day thalidomide orally for 4 weeks per cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After at least two treatment cycles, 10 patients showed hematologic responses. One achieved CR, one achieved PR, three patients achieved major hematological improvements. The efficacy rate was 24% (5/21), and the response rate was 48% (10/21). The schedule was tolerated well by all patients and toxicities were moderate and reversible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of arsenic trioxide, retinoic acid and thalidomide could have therapeutic benefit in higher risk MDS with safety.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China.
authors.forename: Wen-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Guang-Sen
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yun-Xiao
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jian-Kai
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Chong-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Min-Fei
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Pei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D013792:Thalidomide; D014212:Tretinoin; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide