Phase II Research Study of Arsenic Trioxide (Trisenox) in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome by FAB. Can be made with cytogenetic analysis of Bone Marrow or Hematologist evaluation
• Patient must have had bone marrow biopsy and aspiration to confirm diagnosis within 60 days prior to treatment
• ECOG performance status of 0-2
• An EKG must be performed within 7 days prior to treatment to confirm QT interval <460msec.
• Serum creatinine less than or equal to 2.5 times the upper limit of normal.
• Serum bilirubin less than or equal to 2.5 times the upper limit of normal.
• Serum potassium greater than or equal to 4.0 mEq/dL and serum magnesium greater than or equal to 1.8 mg/dL. If these serum electrolytes are below the specified limits on the baseline laboratory tests, electrolytes should be administered to bring the serum concentrations to these levels before administering arsenic trioxide.
• Patients must be 18 years of age to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or nursing women, and men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception.
• Corrected QT interval of greater than or equal to 460msec in the presence of serum potassium and magnesium values within normal range.
• Significant CHF, coronary is ischemia or serious Arrhythmias including conduction delays.
• Peripheral neuropathy greater than or equal to 2.
• Evidence of active infection
• Concurrent treatment with maintenance therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, or investigational agents.
• Inability or unwillingness to comply with the treatment protocol, follow up, or research tests.