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.