Phase 1/2 study of the combination of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine with valproic acid in patients with leukemia

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Hagop M. Kantarjian, Blanca Sanchez-Gonzalez, Hui Yang, Gary Rosner, Srdan Verstovsek, Michael Rytting, William G. Wierda, Farhad Ravandi, Charles Koller, Lianchun Xiao, Stefan Faderl, Zeev Estrov, Jorge Cortes, Susan O'Brien, Elihu Estey, Carlos Bueso-Ramos, Jackie Fiorentino, Elias Jabbour, Jean Pierre Issa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

433 Scopus citations

Abstract

We conducted a phase 1/2 study of the combination of 5-aza-2′- deoxycytidine (decitabine) and the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) in patients with advanced leukemia, including older untreated patients. A group of 54 patients were treated with a fixed dose of decitabine (15 mg/m 2 by IV daily for 10 days) administered concomitantly with escalating doses of VPA orally for 10 days. A 50 mg/kg daily dose of VPA was found to be safe. Twelve (22%) patients had objective response, including 10 (19%) complete remissions (CRs), and 2 (3%) CRs with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp). Among 10 elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, 5 (50%) had a response (4CRs, 1CRp's). Induction mortality was observed in 1 (2%) patient. Major cytogenetic response was documented in 6 of 8 responders. Remission duration was 7.2 months (range, 1.3-12.6+ months). Over-all survival was 15.3 months (range, 4.6-20.2+ months) in responders. Transient DNA hypomethylation and global histone H3 and H4 acetylation were induced, and were associated with p15 reactivation. Patients with lower pretreatment levels of p15 methylation had a significantly higher response rate. In summary, this combination of epigenetic therapy in leukemia was safe and active, and was associated with transient reversal of aberrant epigenetic marks. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00075010.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3271-3279
Number of pages9
JournalBlood
Volume108
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phase 1/2 study of the combination of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine with valproic acid in patients with leukemia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this