Data Published in The Lancet Oncology Further Substantiates VIDAZA's Extended Survival Benefit for MDS Patients
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18, 2009 - The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation says that data from the AZA-001 clinical trial, published today in The Lancet Oncology, demonstrated that VIDAZA is the only non-transplant treatment that extends survival in higher-risk MDS patients. In the study, VIDAZA was also shown to prevent progression to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in patients with MDS. Roughly 30 percent of patients diagnosed with MDS will progress to AML.
VIDAZA is the first and only epigenetic drug approved in Europe. Epigenetics regulate cell growth and development. This involves chemical changes on the DNA of certain cells that turn off or “silence” genes without changing the DNA sequences themselves. VIDAZA blocks these chemical changes in cells involved with MDS reactivating the genes and restoring normal cell growth.
“The AZA-001 trial showed for the first time that a drug could actually extend survival for patients with MDS, a notoriously hard to treat disease. VIDAZA is the only drug therapy that has been shown to do this in clinical trials.” said John Huber, Executive Director of the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, “Data from this large international trial also showed that VIDAZA reduced patients' need for blood transfusions.”
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) occur when the bone marrow stem cells malfunction. This results in the production of too many defective blood cells and not enough normal cells. Diagnosis is made through blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy. Once diagnosed, treatment and evaluation should occur under the care of a hematologist or hematologist/oncologist. There are many subtypes of MDS classified according to how the disease manifests itself in the blood and marrow of the patient. Treatments include blood transfusions, growth factors, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
About the Aplastic Anemia and MDS Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to serving as a resource for patient assistance, advocacy, and support. AA&MDSIF provides patients and their families with support as well as the latest medical information and funds research to find cures for aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), paroxysmal nocturnal hemogloburina (PNH), and other bone marrow failure diseases. Educational and support resources are free to patients and families, the media and the general public at www.aamds.org or by calling the Foundation.
Contact: Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation
John Huber, 301-279-7202 ext 100
Executive Director
