Azacitidine Plus Amifostine in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome

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• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 4 months Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal (unless due to hemolysis or ineffective erythropoiesis) AST and ALT less than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times normal Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled or severe congestive heart failure Pulmonary: Serum CO2 greater than 18 mmHg Other: No uncorrected folate or vitamin B12 deficiency HIV negative No other medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study At least 3 years since prior nonleukemic malignancy Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 1 month since prior interferon, interleukin-3, or interleukin-11 At least 1 month since prior epoetin alfa, filgrastim (G-CSF), or sargramostim (GM-CSF) No concurrent hematologic growth factors Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior chemotherapy for nonleukemic malignancy allowed No prior azacitidine Endocrine therapy: At least 1 month since prior corticosteroids or danazol No concurrent steroids Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy for nonleukemic malignancy allowed Surgery: Not specified Other: No prior antithymocyte globulin or cyclosporine No prior amifostine