Levofloxacin for Blood Cancers

(MYELO-CAN:ABX Trial)

This trial aims to determine if levofloxacin, an antibiotic, can reduce infections in people with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), two serious blood cancers. Infections pose significant challenges for these patients, affecting their quality of life and sometimes leading to hospitalization. Half of the participants will receive levofloxacin, while the other half will continue with their usual care to compare results. Suitable candidates for this trial have been diagnosed with MDS or AML and are starting a specific type of chemotherapy that can be administered outside of a hospital. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of people, offering a chance to contribute to important findings.

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial team or your doctor.

Research has shown that levofloxacin is generally safe for patients with blood cancers like AML (acute myeloid leukemia). One study used a short course of levofloxacin as a preventive measure for AML patients, and it was well-tolerated without significantly increasing antibiotic resistance. Another study found that while levofloxacin did not affect the occurrence of fever with low white blood cell count, it was safely used alongside other AML treatments.

Levofloxacin is unique because it's an antibiotic being explored for use in blood cancers, which is an unconventional approach. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which directly attacks cancer cells, levofloxacin may help prevent infections in patients with compromised immune systems due to cancer or its treatment. Researchers are excited about its potential to improve patient outcomes by reducing infection-related complications, which are common in blood cancer patients.

Research has shown that levofloxacin can help lower the risk of infections in patients receiving chemotherapy for blood cancers like AML (acute myeloid leukemia). One study found that patients who took levofloxacin had fewer infections, with a rate of 26.1%, compared to 52.0% in those who did not take it. Another study reported that 82.8% of patients with fever due to low white blood cell counts became fever-free within 72 hours after using levofloxacin. However, some studies found no effect on febrile neutropenia, a condition characterized by fever and low white blood cells. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will receive levofloxacin to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing infections during cancer treatment, while the control group will not receive it. Overall, levofloxacin appears promising in preventing infections during cancer treatment.²³⁴⁶⁷