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How long can you be on azacitidine/vidaza?

Posted by jalan00 @jalan00, 21 hours ago

My father was just diagnosed with AML. He'll be 72 this year and because of his age, our doctor had him take Azacitidine shots for 7 days/28 days. I've read studies saying that adding venetoclax has better results and longer survival but I live in a developing country maybe that's why the doctor hasn't added that to his regime. I'm not even sure if he's qualified for a bmt here. I just want him to live longer. Reach his 80s 😔

Sorry for rambling. I'm just so anxious and everything happened so fast

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | 18 hours ago

Hi @jalan00 You’re not rambling at all! You’re being very proactive in trying to find information about your dad and his newly diagnosed AML. Seven years ago right now, at 65, I was going through the same cancer journey. Though I didn’t have the option of Vidaza. I had an aggressive form which required intensive chemo and a bone marrow transplant. However, from what other members in Connect have shared, Vidaza has become an important ally in the treatment of AML.

AML can be a challenging form of leukemia but for many it can be held in check with medications such as Vidaza and Venectoclax. You’re right, they are often used together. However, from my understanding in initial treatment it’s not uncommon for doctors to start a patient on one medication to check efficacy. If there needs to be an ‘extra punch’ then there is recourse to incorporate the additional treatment.

If this was your father’s first round of treatment, the follow-up labs will let the doctor know if the medication is having an impact. Vidaza interferes with the growth of cancer cells and can be given as long as it continues to work.
There are different genetic mutations which can cause the development of AML. Some are more problematic than others, making it difficult to keep under control. Do you remember seeing any mention of mutations on your dad’s blood work? Mention of blast counts?

Because Vidaza is a common treatment for MDS and AML, there are quite a few discussions in Connect with members sharing their experiences or asking questions such as yours. This discussion carries the same title as yours:
How long can we be on azacitidine/vidaza?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-long-can-we-be-on-vidaza/
There are several others in this discussion search: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/

How is your father feeling after his first round? Has he had follow-up labs yet?

REPLY
1 reply
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jalan00 | @jalan00 | 3 hours ago
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @jalan00 You’re not rambling at all! You’re being very proactive in trying to find information..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt

Hi @jalan00 You’re not rambling at all! You’re being very proactive in trying to find information about your dad and his newly diagnosed AML. Seven years ago right now, at 65, I was going through the same cancer journey. Though I didn’t have the option of Vidaza. I had an aggressive form which required intensive chemo and a bone marrow transplant. However, from what other members in Connect have shared, Vidaza has become an important ally in the treatment of AML.

AML can be a challenging form of leukemia but for many it can be held in check with medications such as Vidaza and Venectoclax. You’re right, they are often used together. However, from my understanding in initial treatment it’s not uncommon for doctors to start a patient on one medication to check efficacy. If there needs to be an ‘extra punch’ then there is recourse to incorporate the additional treatment.

If this was your father’s first round of treatment, the follow-up labs will let the doctor know if the medication is having an impact. Vidaza interferes with the growth of cancer cells and can be given as long as it continues to work.
There are different genetic mutations which can cause the development of AML. Some are more problematic than others, making it difficult to keep under control. Do you remember seeing any mention of mutations on your dad’s blood work? Mention of blast counts?

Because Vidaza is a common treatment for MDS and AML, there are quite a few discussions in Connect with members sharing their experiences or asking questions such as yours. This discussion carries the same title as yours:
How long can we be on azacitidine/vidaza?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-long-can-we-be-on-vidaza/
There are several others in this discussion search: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/

How is your father feeling after his first round? Has he had follow-up labs yet?

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@loribmt Thanks for responding and for the info. He's doing good after the first round and the blood counts are going down. I don't know about the mutations but the results of his qPCR test was that everything was negative. They found out it was AML during a bmb.
"MARKEDLY HYPERCELLULAR BONE MARROW FOR AGE (80-90%) WITH INTERSTITIAL TO DIFFUSE ATYPICAL MONONUCLEAR CELL PROLIFERATION (78.2%)"

It's because of "indefinite" and "as long as it works" about azacitidine that's been making me anxious. I feel like I'm just waiting for the train to hit but I don't know when 😔

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