title: Thalidomide for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome in Taiwan: results of a phase II trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thalidomide inhibits angiogenesis and exerts complex immunomodulatory activities. This phase II study aimed to examine the efficacy of thalidomide in Taiwanese patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients [intention to treat group (ITT)] with MDS were treated with thalidomide (100 mg/day, increased by 100 mg/day weekly to a maximum of 400 mg/day) for 12 weeks. Forty-two patients of the ITT group were considered as comprising the evaluable population (EP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thalidomide resulted in hematological improvement (HI) in 28% of ITT analysis and in HI in 40% of the EP. Thalidomide was more effective for MDS patients with low to intermediate-1 International Prognostic Score System scores. The response rates were 7% for ITT and 10% for EP patients. Only two patients exhibited a cytogenetic response. Net reduced levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor cytokines were observed in the peripheral blood and the bone marrow of thalidomide-treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose thalidomide is an effective and safe treatment for patients with low-risk MDS.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Chih-Yuan
authors: CY
authors: Chung
authors: Sheng-Fung
authors: SF
authors: Lin
authors: Po-Min
authors: PM
authors: Chen
authors: Ming-Chih
authors: MC
authors: Chang
authors: Woei-You
authors: WY
authors: Kao
authors: Tsu-Yi
authors: TY
authors: Chao
authors: Liang-Tsai
authors: LT
authors: Hsiao
authors: Chuen-Chuan
authors: CC
authors: Yen
authors: Muh-Hwa
authors: MH
authors: Yang
authors: Wei-Shou
authors: WS
authors: Hwang
authors: Tung-Liang
authors: TL
authors: Lin
authors: Tzeon-Jye
authors: TJ
authors: Chiou
authors: Cheng-Shyong
authors: CS
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013624:Taiwan; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide