Thalidomide combined with testosterone undecanoate and retinoic acid therapy for patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects and side-effects of thalidomide combined with testosterone undecanoate and retinoic acid for the treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS). Methods: A total of 49 patients with low-risk MDS were enrolled who suffered from refractory anemia(RA).They were divided into two groups. The patients in group A were treated with testosterone undecanoate and retinoic acid.In addition giving this two medicines,the patients of group B were treated with thalidomide.The effects of two groups were compared.The side-effects of thalidomide were observed.Results: The overall efficacy and remission rates of group A were 39.1% and 26.1%,and 75.0% and 54.2% in group B.Significant differences were found between two groups(P0.05).The average time of hemoglobin(Hb) increasing greater than 30g/L in group A and group B were 135.9 ±23.7(d) and 93.8±33.5(d) respectively.The difference was significant between two groups (P0.005).In the group A,the average volume of transfusion for patients was18.1±8.0(u), in group B, it was 10.6±7.0(u).The difference was statistically significant(P0.05).The main side-effects of thalidomide were somnolence,constipation and edema.Conclusion: The efficacy in the patients(low-risk MDS) who are treated with thalidomide,testosterone undecanoate and retinoic acid is better than the patients who are treated only with testosterone undecanoate and retinoic acid.There are mild side-effects.