Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome Before Donor Stem Cell Transplant

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of de novo or secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, as defined by the 2008 World Health Organization classification system
Patients must have measurable disease requiring cytoreduction, defined as a bone marrow myeloblast count >= 5% and < 20% on morphologic examination or by flow cytometry in cases in which adequate morphologic examination is not possible
Patients must be considered to have an acceptable risk of early mortality with intensive chemotherapy as determined by the attending physician at the time of the initial visit; since the specific therapy within each arm will be determined after randomization, there is no threshold of organ dysfunction or performance status for inclusion
Considered a potential transplant candidate; the attending/treating physician will determine transplant candidacy at the time of consent
Capable of understanding the investigational nature, potential risks and benefits of the study, and able to provide valid informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

A diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia as defined by the 2008 World Health Organization classification system
Previous treatment for MDS or AML with intensive chemotherapy regimen (induction chemotherapy) or hypomethylating agent
Have any other severe concurrent disease, or have a history of serious organ dysfunction or disease involving the heart, kidney, liver, or other organ system that may place the patient at undue risk to undergo treatment
Patients with a systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or other infection not controlled (defined as exhibiting ongoing signs/symptoms related to the infection and without improvement, despite appropriate antibiotics or other treatment)
Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Fertile men and women unwilling to use contraceptive techniques during and for 12 months following treatment
Any uncontrolled or significant concurrent disease, illness, or psychiatric disorder that would compromise patient safety or compliance, interfere with consent, study participation, follow up, or interpretation of study results
Clinical evidence suggestive of central nervous system (CNS) involvement with MDS unless a lumbar puncture confirms the absence of leukemic blasts in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)