title: Rapid loss of response after withdrawal of treatment with azacitidine: a case series in patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
abstract: In patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the likelihood of having a sustained response to azacitidine is increased by maximizing treatment duration. This is important as prognosis postrelapse is poor. There is also the concern that early termination of treatment may result in rapid disease progression. We reviewed outcomes in 13 patients who discontinued azacitidine (decitabine in one patient) while still responding to the treatment. Most patients rapidly relapsed; median time to progression was 5.4 months. Reasons for treatment discontinuation included comorbidities, infections, and patient choice. These findings illustrate the risk of prematurely terminating azacitidine therapy in MDS.
authors: Department of Hematology, Universitá Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy. mtvoso@rm.unicatt.it
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Voso
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Breccia
authors: Monia
authors: M
authors: Lunghi
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Poloni
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Niscola
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Finelli
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Bari
authors: Pellegrino
authors: P
authors: Musto
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Zambello
authors: Luana
authors: L
authors: Fianchi
authors: Giuliana
authors: G
authors: Alimena
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Leone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D015477:Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D001374:Azacitidine