Low dose cytosine arabinoside therapy in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

Four patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and three with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were given low dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) therapy. One patient with de novo AML and two patients having refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB) achieved responses. Although the responses lasted for only a short duration (2-3 months), the therapy was well tolerated and not accompanied by severe complications, while severe cytopenia was a frequent side effect with transfusions being necessary in most patients. This therapy could be clinically effective for certain types of AML and MDS (especially RAEB and RAEB in transformation).