Treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with amifostine

The efficacy and toxicity of amifostine (300 mg/m(2) three times a week for three Consecutive weeks for a maximum of six courses) was evaluated in 12 patients with primary myelodysplastic syndromes. Dose escalation up to 400 mg/m(2) was allowed to patients who failed to response. Hemoglobin concentr ation was increased greater than or equal to 1.5 g/dl on two (18%) of the 1 1 anemic patients. These two patients obtained transfusion independence for 20 weeks. Reticulocyte counts and ANC increased greater than or equal to 5 0% of baseline in four (44%) of the nine patients with reticulocytopenia an d in three (25%) of the 12 neutropenic patients. Platelet count increased i n three (50%) of the six patients with thrombocytopenia. Progenitor growth of CFU-GMs and BFU-Es improved in 8/12 patients. No major side effects were observed. In conclusion amifostine is well tolerated and can promote the g rowth of primitive hematopoietic progenitors and ameliorate the cytopenias in MDS patients. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.