Dr. Carraway on Aza-Nucleoside Combinations in MDS

Hetty Carraway, MD, Hematology and Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, discusses combination epigenetic therapies including aza-nucleosides and histone deacetylase inhibitors, as well as immunomodulatory therapies, such as lenalidomide for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

A large, randomized phase II study showed that there were not improvements in overall response rates or complete response (CR) rates, in regards to epigenetic combinations, compared to monotherapy alone, says Carraway.

She feels that questions still remain, when it comes to the optimal dose with combining agents and how to best schedule them. Carraway adds that novel agents are needed as well, in addition to epigenetic and immunomodulatory agents.