Treatment Of Myelodysplastic Syndromes With Dacogen May Cause Fluid Build-Up
One myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patient has been reported to have fluid build up, known as effusion, in her lungs and in the area surrounding her heart after taking Dacogen (decitabine). It is the first reported case of effusion induced by the drug.
The sixty year old patient received Dacogen (20 mg/m2 per day) for five days by intravenous injection. Following the therapy, the patient reported a skin rash, slow marrow recovery, and fatigue. She was admitted to the hospital one month post treatment due to neutropenic fever, a fever accompanied by other signs of infection due to an abnormally low white blood cell count. An x-ray confirmed fluid in her lugs and area surrounding the heart.
The fluid build up disappeared 14 weeks after the end of treatment with Dacogen.
Dacogen is approved for treating patients with intermediate or high-risk MDS. Previously reported side effects include liver dysfunction, aching bones, and decreased production of blood cells and platelets.
For more information, see the related letter in Leukemia Research, and be sure to check back for updated coverage as we gain further information about this story.
Related Articles:
- Preventative Antibiotic Treatment May Reduce Fever In MDS Patients Treated With Dacogen
- FDA Approves New Dacogen Dosing Schedule For Myelodysplastic Syndromes
- Dacogen Is Safe And Effective In Older Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients (ASH 2009)
- Vidaza Or Dacogen Treatment May Be Effective In MDS Patients Before Stem Cell Transplantation (EHA 2010)
- Molecular Analysis May Explain Why Dacogen Alone And Dacogen Plus Valproic Acid Show Similar Response Rates (ASH 2009)
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