Vidaza, Revlimid Spur Search for New MDS Drugs
A new report from Decision Resources finds that the success of drugs Vidaza (azacitidine) and Revlimid (lenalidomide) in the U.S. market has encouraged pharmaceutical companies to devote more resources to drug development for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Vidaza, which was approved by the FDA in 1994, belongs to a relatively new class of drugs based on epigenetics, which involves changing the production of protein from DNA. In particular, Vidaza helps turn on genes that have been turned off in the abnormal stem cells of MDS, thereby curbing their growth and killing cancerous cells. Patients taking Vidaza live up to 74% longer and have improved quality of life, including decreased need for blood transfusions.
In its report, “Myelodysplastic Syndromes”, Decision Resources projects that epigenetics-based drugs will be the most promising avenues for future treatment of MDS. Although drugs such as Vidaza cannot cure the disease, the report predicts that these drugs will become the standard for treating MDS in higher risk patients for whom stem cell transplants are not an option.
Other drugs in the same category as Vidaza include Zolinza (vorinostat) and Dacogen (decitabine). Dacogen is officially approved as a treatment for MDS. Zolinza’s only currently approved use is as a treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, but it sometimes is prescribed off-label as an MDS treatment.
More information can be found in the “Myelodysplastic Syndromes” Pharmacor report at Decision Resources.
Related Articles:
- Vidaza Or Dacogen Treatment May Be Effective In MDS Patients Before Stem Cell Transplantation (EHA 2010)
- Optimizing Epigenetic Therapies For MDS (ISMDS 2009)
- Revlimid And Vidaza Combination May Be Effective In Treatment Of High-Risk MDS
- Vidaza May Be Safe And Effective In MDS Patients Of All Ages (ASH 2009)
- Vidaza Upgraded To Preferred Treatment For High-Risk MDS Patients
I’m starting vidaza tomorrow for CMML. I’m worried. I didn’t really have time to think about the side effects or repercusions. I need all the prayers I can get. I’ve been on Gleevec with no success. I’m also on prednisone 20 mg. for a terrific rash.
My Dad was also just diagnosed as CMML, and he just started yesterday on Vidaza. I will add you to our prayer circle. There is always hope.
I finished the first round of Vidaza. I go every Mon Wed and Fri for blood work before starting round 2 in a few weeks. I thought the shots were very painful and they left unbelievable bruises. I only got sick on the seventh day. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and praying that the vidaza helps me. It will take 4 or 5 months to know for sure.
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