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Clolar (clofarabine) may be effective in the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), according to a recent article reviewing studies of Clolar in the treatment of leukemia and related conditions.

The article, which was published in the journal Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, summarized current developments in the study of Clolar, especially for elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Summaries of several studies involving the use of Clolar in MDS patients were also included.

Clolar works by inhibiting DNA synthesis, which in turn interferes with the growth of tumor cells.…

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FDA Declines To Approve Clolar As Treatment For Adult AML Patients – On October 6, Genzyme Corporation reported that the FDA has declined to approve the company’s application to market Clolar (clofarabine) as a treatment for adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Clolar is currently approved for the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have relapsed or failed to respond to at least two other drugs.  Genzyme says that the FDA is recommending a randomized, controlled clinical study of Clolar in adult AML patients as a condition for approving Clolar’s use in those patients, and that the company plans to meet with the FDA to discuss next steps.  Genzyme is also investigating Clolar as a treatment for MDS and several other conditions.  For more information, please see the Genzyme press release. For information on Clolar trials for MDS patients, please see the U.S. government’s Clinical Trials Web site.

MDS U.S. Patient And Family Forum – The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation will be holding a Patient and Family Forum in Pittsburgh, PA on October 21. Guest speaker Dr. James Rossetti of the Western Pennsylvania Cancer Institute will provide important information for MDS patients and their families. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information about registering for the event or for a detailed listing of upcoming U.S. or international forums, please see the MDS Foundation Web site.

For a more detailed listing of MDS-related events, please check the MDS Beacon Events Calendar.

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A recent study from Heinrich-Heine University in Germany reveals that the success of chemotherapy on patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) may be predicted using cytogenetic studies before and after the therapy. Cytogenetics refers to the study of the structure and function of cells, specifically the chromosomes. Understanding and analyzing the cytogenetic findings at the time of diagnosis helps influence prognosis as well as the path of therapy recommended for each patient.

Scientists studied 118 patients with MDS or AML and abnormalities in their chromosomes. These…