Abstract
Lenalidomide is the first drug to induce transfusion independence and cytogenetic remission in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with deletion 5q and low or intermediate risk score. Transfusion independence can be obtained within five weeks. Three out of four patients also obtain a cytogenetic response to treatment. However, concern has arisen about the possibility of an increased risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia. A multicenter, randomised, placebo-controlled study with long-term follow-up is needed.
MeSH terms
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Lenalidomide
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / etiology
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes / drug therapy*
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes / genetics
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes / mortality
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Prognosis
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Risk Factors
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Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
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Thalidomide / therapeutic use
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Thalidomide
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Lenalidomide