Amifostine has the potential to induce haematologic responses and decelerate disease progression in individual patients with low- and intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by hypercellular bone marrow, peripheral cytopenia and an increased rate of intramedullary apoptosis. Oxidative stress is known as an important factor that leads to apoptosis in MDS. Thus, amifostine was investigated in a randomized, multicentre phase II-study (n = 44 pts.; 22 amifostine, 22 best supportive care). We found an overall haematologic response rate of 18%. One patient developed a complete and persisting haematologic remission. Haematologic progression rate was 46% in the treatment group and 64% in the control group. We conclude that amifostine has the potential to induce haematologic response in individual patients suffering from MDS.
Georg-August-University, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Goettingen, Germany. j.schanz@med.uni-goettingen.de
Julie
J
Schanz
Heike
H
Jung
Bernhard
B
Wörmann
Winfried
W
Gassmann
Thomas
T
Petersen
Axel
A
Hinke
Detlef
D
Haase
D000368:Aged; D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis
D004999:Amifostine