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Activity of decitabine, a hypomethylating agent, in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Author(s) -
Aribi Ahmed,
Borthakur Gautam,
Ravandi Farhad,
Shan Jianqin,
Davisson Jan,
Cortes Jorge,
Kantarjian Hagop
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.22457
Subject(s) - decitabine , chronic myelomonocytic leukemia , medicine , azacitidine , hypomethylating agent , myelodysplastic syndromes , oncology , leukemia , international prognostic scoring system , bone marrow , dna methylation , biochemistry , gene expression , chemistry , gene
BACKGROUND. Hypomethylating agents have activity in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and have received approval for the treatment of both MDS and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The specific efficacy in CMML has not been detailed in a large number of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity and safety of decitabine in CMML. METHODS. Nineteen adults with a diagnosis of CMML treated on decitabine studies were analyzed. Decitabine was given at 100 mg/m 2 per course every 4 weeks. The median number of courses given was 9 (range, 1–18). RESULTS. Overall, 11 patients (58%) achieved complete response (CR) and 2 (11%) had hematologic improvement (HI), for an overall response rate of 69% according to the modified International Working Group (IWG) criteria. Median survival was 19 months. Severe (grade 3–4) extramedullary side effects were rare. CONCLUSIONS. Decitabine is active in CMML. Studies of combinations of decitabine with topoisomerase I inhibitors or other active anti‐CMML agents are indicated. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.