The use of hypomethylating agents in hematologic malignancies: treatment preferences and results

AIM: The objective of this article was to compare the efficiency of azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are not suitable for high-dose chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDS and AML patients who were treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) between January 2005 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the patients who received AZA or DAC in AML patients. In MDS group, the rate of patients who achieved remission was statistically significantly higher in patients who received DAC (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The advantage in terms of response for MDS and no survival difference between AZA and DAC for AML and MDS patients will be an important contribution to the literature.