Lenalidomide and 5azacitidine treatment versus 5azacitidine alone in patients with the blood cancers myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukaemia

Lenalidomide and Azacitidine each have clear evidence of efficacy in MDS, and have shown activity in AML. However, not all patients respond so better regimens, including combinations, are required. MDS and AML are heterogeneous diseases, and lenalidomide and azacitidine may target different cellular populations and induce differing clinical responses. Combinations of immunomodulatory drugs and azacitidine have been explored and shown to be feasible. This is an open label, multi-centre, randomised Phase II study exploring the toxicity and efficacy of the combination of lenalidomide and 5azacitidine compared to 5azacitidine alone. After an initial 2 cycles with 5azacitidine (75mg/m2/day x7days over 9days of a 28 day cycle; 5-2-2 regimen), patients will be randomised 1:1 to either combination 5azacitidine and lenalidomide (5azacitidine 75mg/m2/day x5days of a 28 day cycle + lenalidomide commencing cycle 3 10mg/dayx21days of a 28 day cycle) or 5azacitidine alone (75mg/m2/day x7days over 9days of a 28 day cycle; 5-2-2 regimen) for 12 months to primary endpoint, then all patients may continue 5azacitidine alone until progression or toxicity. Response will be determined by peripheral blood counts, transfusions, bone marrow morphology and cytogenetics, according to IWG criteria. The study also incorporates a correlative laboratory component designed to determine the mechanism of action of 5azacitidine +/- lenalidomide and to determine a baseline profile which may predict those most responsive. These studies will incorporate gene methylation and expression, and enumeration of lymphocyte subsets, natural killer cell function and cytokine profiles.