# Clinical efficacy of azacitidine in the treatment of middle- and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly patients: A retrospective study

## TL;DR

This study shows that azacitidine improves outcomes in middle-aged and elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome compared to standard care.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the clinical efficacy and safety of azacitidine in treating high-risk MDS in older patients.

## Key findings

- The overall response rate in the azacitidine group was 66.67%.
- Azacitidine significantly improved blood cell levels and reduced lactate dehydrogenase compared to the control group.
- Both treatment groups showed good safety profiles.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of azacitidine (AZA) in middle-aged and elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

The clinical data of 59 middle-aged and elderly patients with middle- and high-risk MDS, who attended our hospital from April 2019 to January 2024, were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into an observation group (AZA) and a control group (conventional supportive treatment) according to the treatments, and the patients in the two groups were evaluated for their clinical efficacy and safety.

The overall response rate of the observation group was 66.67%. In terms of blood cells, the observation group’s blood cell level after four courses of treatment was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the level of LDH decrease after four courses of treatment in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The safety of both groups was good.

AZA is safe and effective in the treatment of high risk MDS in middle and old age patients.