PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:~I. To investigate the antibody response to influenza vaccination in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) receiving hypomethylating agents (decitabine or azacytidine) compared to normal healthy controls and those patients with similar disorders receiving cytarabine containing intensive chemotherapy or best supportive care.~II. To collect and store blood samples at different time points (prior to and after vaccination) for assessment of influenza specific T-cell subsets using tetramers by flow cytometry.~OUTLINE:~Within 14 days of baseline influenza titer, patients receive trivalent influenza vaccine intramuscularly (IM) on day 0 (patients in cohorts 1 and 5 receive the vaccine at any time, patients in cohorts 2 and 3 receive the vaccine between days 14-25 of hypomethylating agent therapy course, and patients in cohort 4 receive the vaccine between days 21-365 from onset of cytotoxic chemotherapy). Patients then undergo titer assessment at days 25-90 and days 115-185.
This pilot research trial studies the antibody response to high-dose seasonal influenza vaccination in patients with myeloid malignancy receiving chemotherapy and healthy volunteers. Evaluating antibody response to high-dose seasonal influenza vaccine may serve as a basis for vaccine recommendations in patients with myeloid malignancies and provide insights into the status of the immune system in these patients.