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5-azacytidine has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

In May 2006, the FDA approved decitabine (Dacogen) injection for the treatment of MDS. Dacogen was evaluated in several clinical trials involving a total of 268 patients. About 22% of patients receiving Dacogen in clinical trials showed a positive response to the drug. Responses consisted of either complete or partial normalization of blood counts and fewer immature cells in the bone marrow. Patients who responded to Decogen also did not require blood transfusions during the period of response to the drug.

Research is ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of revlimide for the treatment of MDS.

Improved methods for preventing life-threatening systemic fungal infections in MDS patients undergoing induction therapy are being investigated.

The use of arsenic trioxide (Trisenox) for the treatment of MDS continues to be an area of continued interest and active research.

Reduced-intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, also called "mini-transplants", have recently been developed that appear to lower treatment-related toxicities in patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation from an unrelated donor. This novel approach is being evaluated at major cancer centers around the world as a means for reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease - a serious complication that can occur in patients receiving stem cells from an unrelated donor. Currently, most cancer centers limit allogeneic stem cell transplantation to younger patients under age 55. Reduced intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers the possibility of extending this treatment option to elderly patients as well because of the reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease

Combination chemotherapy for the treatment of MDS continues to be evaluated in clinical trials in hopes of identifying less toxic and more effective drug regimens.

Other approaches for the treatment of MDS that are currently being investigated include:

• antithymocyte globulin therapy
• low-dose melphalan therapy
• low-dose topotecan therapy
• farnesyl transferase inhibitors
• tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors

Information regarding ongoing clinical studies in your area can be obtained at the Clinical Trials Listing Service at http://www.centerwatch.com