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Azacitidine for treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): practical recommendations of the German MDS Study Group

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Abstract

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of common bone marrow disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, peripheral cytopenias, and a substantial risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). For many years, the main treatment option for MDS was best supportive care which alleviates symptoms, but has no effect on the natural course of the disease. Recently, demethylating agents have become available as a promising new treatment for patients with MDS. In two randomized clinical trials, the demethylating agent azacitidine has demonstrated a reduced risk of transformation to AML, improvement of peripheral blood values, an improved quality of life, and a definite survival advantage compared to conventional care regimens for patients with International Prognostic Scoring System score of intermediate-2 or high-risk MDS. This review aims to provide practical recommendations for the use of azacitidine and the management of its side effects in patients with MDS, assuring safe administration and best efficacy of treatment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the German Kompetenznetz “Akute and chronische Leukämien”.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

All authors report having served on an advisory board for Celgene within the past 24 months, as well as having received honoraria for lectures from Celgene in the past.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. III. Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 15, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Katharina Götze

  2. Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany

    Uwe Platzbecker

  3. St. Johannes Hospital, Duisburg, Germany

    Aristoteles Giagounidis & Carlo Aul

  4. Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany

    Detlef Haase

  5. Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany

    Michael Lübbert

  6. Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover, Germany

    Arnold Ganser

  7. Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Ulrich Germing

  8. Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Wolf-Karsten Hofmann

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  1. Katharina Götze
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  2. Uwe Platzbecker
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  3. Aristoteles Giagounidis
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  4. Detlef Haase
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Correspondence to Katharina Götze.

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Götze, K., Platzbecker, U., Giagounidis, A. et al. Azacitidine for treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): practical recommendations of the German MDS Study Group. Ann Hematol 89, 841–850 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-010-1015-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-010-1015-0

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