WHAT MAKES DACOGEN DIFFERENT
DACOGEN® (decitabine) for Injection is different than supportive
care because it does more than just manage symptoms associated with myelodysplastic
syndromes (MDS). When treatment is successful with DACOGEN, there may be changes
to the underlying disease, such as a reduction in the number of immature blood cells
(blasts) in the bone marrow, which is an improvement in blood cell counts. While
on treatment, responding patients may see a reduction or elimination of blood transfusions.
In addition, DACOGEN may also impact the disease by correcting abnormalities in
DNA observed in MDS.
In
clinical trials,
DACOGEN plus supportive care was proven superior to supportive care alone in treating
MDS.2,3 Patients receiving DACOGEN had a better overall response to treatment,
resulting in the following:
- Increased number of healthy blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets)
- Decreased number of immature blood cells, called “blasts”
- Reduced need for blood transfusions (also described as "transfusion independence")
- Reduced need for growth factors like erythropoietin (EPO)
Supportive care therapy may include red blood cell and platelet transfusions, antibiotics
and blood cell growth factors which stimulate blood cell production. These treatments
are intended to control symptoms and to prevent infections. The main goal of supportive
care therapy is to relieve symptoms of the disease and prevent problems from low
blood counts.
References