Vidaza chemotherapy is used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Vidaza is a trade name for 5-Azacitidine that is an antimetabolite and a demethylating agent. This drug is administered intravenously or subcutaneously once in a day. The amount and dose of drug depends on the stage of the cancer, height and weight of the patient and overall health. Azacitidine kills the cancer cells in the bone marrow and helps in the production of normal cells. Azacitidine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analog of cytidine and the chemical structure is 4-amino-1-beta-Deribofuranosyl-s-triazin-2(1H)-one.

Methylation of DNA is a process that controls the gene expression. If DNA Methylation is increased, the activity of suppressor genes is blocked. This leads to abnormalities and irregularities in the cell division process resulting in cancer. Vidaza as an anti cancer drug acts in two ways :-

1. It demethylates i.e. interferes with the DNA methylation process. Demethylation helps the cells to divide normally as the suppressor genes work normally.
2. Vidaza is an antimetabolite. These cells resemble the normal cellular substances. Hence, when these substances enter the cancer cells, they produce a toxic effect on the cells and kill the abnormally dividing cells.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a condition wherein the stem cells in the bone marrow do not grow into healthy blood cells. These under grown, immature cells die after they are released in the bloodstream or accumulate in the bone marrow. This lowers the number of normal blood cells in the bloodstream. This condition, at times could develop into acute myeloid leukemia.

Precautions while undergoing Vidaza Chemotherapy

• Before starting Vidaza chemotherapy, inform your doctor about any other treatments or medications you are taking including alternative therapies, OTC medications, etc.
• You should not get yourself immunized with any live vaccine without the consent of your oncologist.
• Women undergoing this treatment should not be pregnant or plan to conceive during the treatment is over, as this drug damages the fetus.
• Discuss with your doctor regarding the possibilities of conception or having a child after the chemotherapy treatment is over.
• This drug is dangerous for lactating mothers and breast-feeding a baby as this drug easily enters the breast milk.
• Inform your doctor if you have a history of any kidney disease or liver cancer as this drug could lead to coma and death in such patients

Side Effects of Vidaza Chemotherapy

Like any other cancer chemotherapy drug, Vidaza chemotherapy too has side effects. Most of the side effects of chemotherapy can be managed, which can be managed well as they are normally nominal. Some of the side effects of this drug are-

• Nausea
• Low red blood cell count or anemia
• Low platelet count
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Injection site redness
• Constipation
• Low white cells count

Vidaza chemotherapy has been proved beneficial to a majority of the MDS patients as compared to the conventional chemotherapy and supportive care. Most patients treated with this drug had a better survival rate. Hopefully, there will be better versions of this drug or new drugs developed for complete cure of myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.