Haematologica (Aug 2007)

Valproic acid combined with 13-cis retinoic acid and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

  • Timo Siitonen,
  • Timo Timonen,
  • Eeva Juvonen,
  • Venla Terävä,
  • Anu Kutila,
  • Tuomo Honkanen,
  • Maija Mikkola,
  • Heikki Hallman,
  • Marjut Kauppila,
  • Pirkko Nyländen,
  • Eira Poikonen,
  • Auvo Rauhala,
  • Marjatta Sinisalo,
  • Merja Suominen,
  • Eeva-Riitta Savolainen,
  • Pirjo Koistinen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.11262
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 92, no. 8

Abstract

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Valproic acid (VPA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylases, inhibits the growth of leukemia cells and induces their differentiation in vitro. In the present study, VPA in combination with two differentiating agents, 13-cis retinoic acid and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, was given to 19 previously untreated patients with MDS or CMML. Eight patients had to discontinue treatment before week 16 due to toxicity. According to international working group criteria, three patients (16%) responded to treatment. No correlation between VPA serum level, histone acetylation or clinical response was observed.