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Decitabine

In Myelodysplastic Syndromes

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Abstract

▴ Decitabine is a hypomethylating agent. Its action in DNA leads to the reactivation of tumour suppressor genes and the subsequent differentiation of cancer cells.

▴ In a randomised, phase III trial in patients (n = 170) with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), intravenous decitabine (45 mg/m2/day for 3 consecutive days every 6 weeks) combined with supportive care achieved a higher response rate (including eight complete and seven partial responses) than supportive care alone, which achieved no responses (17% vs 0%; p < 0.001).

▴ The median times to response and duration of response were 3.3 and 10.3 months in the phase III trial.

▴ In three phase II studies in patients (n = 29–87) with MDS treated with decitabine (40 or 50 mg/m2/day for 3 days every 5–6 weeks), the percentage of patients achieving a complete or partial response or an improvement ranged from 26% to 49%, and the median duration of response or improvement ranged from 4.9 to 8.3 months.

▴ The main adverse event associated with decitabine is myelosuppression.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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  1. Adis International Limited, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 1311, New Zealand

    Kate McKeage & Katherine F. Croom

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  1. Kate McKeage
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  2. Katherine F. Croom
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Correspondence to Katherine F. Croom.

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McKeage, K., Croom, K.F. Decitabine. Drugs 66, 951–958 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200666070-00011

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