Chemotherapy for Myelodysplastic Syndrome
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Supportive Care
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Supportive care for MDS includes blood transfusions and injections of erythropoietin, which increases the body's production of red blood cells. Antibiotics are also commonly administered to treat infections.
Azacytidine
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Azacytidine (Vidaza) delays the progression of MDS into leukemia and therefore improves the survival rate of MDS patients. Doctors prescribe this medication to patients with low blood cell counts.
Decitabine
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Decitabine (Dacogen) causes myeloid cells to mature more quickly. Its effect is similar to that of azacytidine and also slows the progression of MDS into leukemia.
Lenalidomide
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Lenalidomide (Revlimid) is an immunomodulatory agent that modifies the immune system and is related to thalidomide. It's most commonly used in patients with the 5q- chromosome abnormality.
Antithymocyte Globulin
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Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) suppresses the actions of white blood cells. This can be helpful in cases where white blood cells interfere with the production of red blood cells.
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