Five-day Vidaza dosing shows efficacy

Preliminary analysis of a Phase II clinical trial evaluating five-day dosing schedules for azacitidine (Vidaza, Pharmion) has shown efficacy and safety that are similar to the drug?s currently recommended seven-day schedule. The data, which were presented at the 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology, suggest that a five-day schedule is as effective at achieving red blood cell transfusion independence in patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). According to Pharmion, a five-day schedule would be more convenient for patients and eliminate the need for weekend dosing. Azacitidine, a demethylating agent, was approved in 2004 as the first drug for the treatment of all five subtypes of MDS.

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