Use of Thalidomide with Arsenious Oxide and Retinoic Acid in Low Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects and side-effects of thalidomide combined with arsenious oxide 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 anemica(RA).They were divided into two groups.The patients in group A were treated with arsenious oxide and retinoic acid,patients of group B were treated with arsenious oxide,retinoic acid and 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 the two groups(P0.05).The average time of hemoglobin(Hb)increasing greater than 30 g/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 RBC transfused for patients was 18.1±8.0(U),in group B,it was10.6±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,arsenious oxide and retinoic acid is better than the patients who are treated only with arsenious oxide and retinoic acid There are mild side-effects.