How does VIDAZA treat MDS?
When you have MDS, your bone marrow usually makes fewer healthy blood cells. The
blood cells it does make don't always work as they should. VIDAZA is the first drug
approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of all FAB subtypes of MDS. VIDAZA may be able to help your bone marrow make healthy blood
cells again.
There are different ways of classifying MDS. One system (International Prognostic
Scoring System or IPSS) uses cell type and blood counts of patients with MDS to
predict the course of their disease. This system separates patients into lower-risk
and higher-risk categories. This helps doctors determine a treatment plan for
each patient.
Another system (French-American-British or FAB) divides MDS into 5 groups called
subtypes. VIDAZA is used to treat patients with all 5 FAB subtypes. Your doctor
can explain which subtype of MDS you have.
The 5 FAB MDS subtypes that VIDAZA treats are:
- RA, refractory anemia*, or RARS, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts—With
RA or RARS, you have less than 5% blasts or immature cells in the bone marrow and
at least 1 cytopenia (abnormally low blood cell count [usually RBCs]). About 40%
of patients with MDS have RA or RARS
- RAEB, refractory anemia with excess blasts†—With RAEB, you have 5% to 20% blasts
in the bone marrow and at least 2 cytopenias (low counts of at least 2 types of
blood cells [for example, RBCs and platelets]). About 30% of patients with MDS have
RAEB
- RAEB-T, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation—With RAEB-T, you
have between 21% and 30% blasts in the bone marrow and at least 2 cytopenias. This
form of MDS may turn into a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow called acute
myeloid leukemia (AML). About 20% of patients with MDS have RAEB-T
- CMMoL, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia—With CMMoL, you have between 5% and 20% blasts
in the bone marrow and an increased number of monocytes, a type of WBC. About 10%
of patients with MDS have CMMoL
*Refractory anemia = low blood cell amounts that do not respond to supportive care.
†Excess blasts = increased number of immature blood cells in the bone marrow.
Why was VIDAZA prescribed?
Your doctor may have prescribed VIDAZA to help reduce your need for RBC transfusions.
VIDAZA may also help your bone marrow make healthy WBCs and platelets. Your doctor
may prescribe VIDAZA for as long as you continue to benefit from it and side effects
don't require that you stop treatment. Always follow your doctor's recommendations
about continuing your treatment plan.
Please see Important Safety
Information and full Prescribing Information.