Mr. CH is a 71-year-old retired naval officer who works full time as an aerospace engineer. He began experiencing increasing lethargy and malaise in August 2000 at the age of 65. He was finding it difficult to concentrate and became tired by the end of the day. An evaluation by his primary care physician revealed anemia and iron deficiency. CH received a trial of iron and erythropoietin(Drug information on erythropoietin) with no substantial improvement. His anemia progressed; he required his first red blood cell transfusion in September 2001. He was referred to a hematologist at a regional comprehensive cancer center.
As a part of his evaluation he had a bone marrow biopsy, aspirate, and cytogenetics, which revealed myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), refractory anemia, cellularity of 20%, 2% blasts, with anemia (hemoglobin 8.8 g/dL, MCV 119), and leukopenia (WBC 2,000, neutrophils 61%). Cytogenetics confirmed the presence of a solitary cytogenetic abnormality, deletion 5 q, a favorable prognostic finding in MDS. The final IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) was zero, indicating low-risk disease. No FDA-approved therapies were available in 2001 and the patient was enrolled in a clinical trial with a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, prinomastat. His transfusion requirements did not improve and he experienced treatment-related severe joint pain. He modified his work schedule to limit travel and had considered retirement due to his symptoms and concern that no treatment would be effective. Transfusion support was continued with increasing frequency.Treatment summary
The patient remained motivated to continue treatment. On April 2, 2002, CH began a new clinical trial with lenalidomide, an oral immunomodulatory agent. Prior to starting this trial he had received a total of 12 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), had a white blood cell (WBC) count of 2,700 (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] 1,758), and platelets of 197,000. The initial dose on the trial was 25 mg given once daily. Weekly blood counts were obtained and within 3 weeks he developed significant cytopenias (WBC 1,000, ANC 140, platelets 38,000, and hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL).
The drug was held and he received a PRBC transfusion on April 22, 2002. He remained afebrile and showed no evidence of bleeding. The cytopenias resolved within 2 weeks of holding the drug without intervention. More importantly, during the drug holiday the hemoglobin rose independent of transfusion by 1 g/dL. Within 4 weeks of holding the drug, the blood counts showed further hematological improvement and a continued Hgb response (WBC 2600, ANC 1300, Hgb 10.3, platelets 58,000). Treatment was resumed at a dose of 10 mg daily using a schedule of 3 weeks on and 1 week off. CH has continued on the drug with further dose reduction required to 5 mg daily, three weeks on and one week off. He has received three injections of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) for an ANC < 500 and concurrent sinusitis. See Table 1 for a summary of his findings.
CH continues to have moderate but asymptomatic thrombocytopenia, which has not required intervention. He has remained transfusion independent for 4 ½ years and continues to work full time at the age of 71. A repeat bone marrow biopsy, aspirate, and cytogenetics 3 months after initiating therapy showed no evidence of the 5q- abnormality, indicating some effect on the underlying disease. He did experience mild pruritus, but no other nonhematologic toxicities.
CH has been able to resume travel and has joined a fitness program and is working out three times a week. CH is an enthusiastic clinical trial participant and continues to chart his progress noting fluctuations from visit to visit, but an overall positive trend in his blood counts.Clinical Trial Overview
