OBJECTIVES:~I. Determine whether thalidomide improves cytopenias in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.~II. Determine the toxicity of this regimen in these patients. III. Determine whether this regimen down regulates the peripheral blood levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukin-12 and whether these changes correlate with clinical response in these patients.~IV. Determine whether this regimen alters the peripheral blood T-cell subset distribution and whether these changes correlate with clinical response in these patients.~V. Determine the effect of this regimen on bone marrow microvessel density and whether these effects correlate with clinical response in these patients.~OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to prognosis (favorable vs unfavorable). (Favorable stratum closed to accrual 12/28/01)~Patients receive oral thalidomide once daily. Treatment continues for 5 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.~Patients are followed every 6 months for 1 year and then annually for 4 years.~PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-58 patients (10-29 per stratum) will be accrued for this study within 20 months. (Favorable stratum closed to accrual 12/28/01)
Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of thalidomide in treating patients who have myelodysplastic syndrome. Thalidomide may improve the immune system's ability to fight myelodysplastic syndrome