OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic efficacy and side effects of treating patients with myelodysplastic syndrome-RAEB (MDS-RAEB) and with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by using decitabine combined with CAG regimen.

METHODSClinical data of 21 patients with MDS-RAEB or refractory AML from July 2011 to July 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 21 patients there were 4 cases of MDS-RAEB and 17 cases of refractory AML; 12 cases were beyond 60 years old; 13 cases had high-risk karyotypes. All the patients received decitabine combined with CAG regimen consisting of decitabine 20 mg/(m(2) · d), d 1-5; aclarubicin 10 mg/d, d 6-13; cytarabine 20 mg/d, d 6-19; G-CSF 300 µg/d, d 6-19.

RESULTSAfter 1 cycle of treatment with DCAG regimen, the outcome of 21 patients showed that 8 cases achieved complete remission (42.1%), 8 cases achieved partial remission (42.1%), 2 cases achieved hematologic improvement, 1 cases achieved non-remission and 2 cases died; and the 1 year overall survival rate was 67.5%. The outcome of 12 patients beyond 60 years old showed that 6 cases achieved complete renission (60%, 6/10), and the 1 year overall survival rate was 62.5%. The outcome of 13 patients with high-risk karytype showed that 6 cases achieved complete renission (54.5%, 6/11), and the 1 year overall survival rate was 61.5%. The main adverse event was myelosuppression, and non-hematological toxicity included liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal tract reaction.

CONCLUSIONDecitabine combined with CAG regimen is effective and safe for treatment of MDS-RAEB and refractory AML patients, which can prolong lives of patiens with refractory hematological diseases.