title: Cyclosporin A and thalidomide in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: Results of a pilot study.
abstract: We reported 37 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) of refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia or refractory anemia with excess blasts who were treated with cyclosporin A (CyA)/thalidomide combination therapy. Of them, 19 patients (19/37, 51.4%) achieved a hematologic improvement and erythroid response (HI-E); 9 patients (9/29, 31.0%) achieved hematologic improvement and platelet response (HI-P) and 7 patients (7/33, 21.2%) achieved hematologic improvement and neutrophil response (HI-N). 15 of 32 (46.9%) transfusion-dependent patients achieved independence from transfusion. The median response duration of HI-E, HI-P and HI-N were 88 (4-108) weeks, 78 (8-84+) weeks and 78 (10-84+) weeks, respectively. Some patients presented with I or II grade hepatic or nephritic impairment, constipation, lethargy, dizziness, edema, rash or sense of numbness. Therefore, CyA combined with thalidomide appears to be useful and is relatively well-tolerated for patients with MDS.
authors.affiliation: The 6th Department of Clinical Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China. zjxiao@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Zhijian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Zefeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Tiejun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Liwei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide; D016572:Cyclosporine