Venetoclax and Azacitidine for Treatment of Therapy Related or Secondary Myelodysplastic Syndrome

This phase II trial studies the effect of venetoclax and azacitidine in treating patients with therapy related or secondary myelodysplastic syndrome. Venetoclax may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking Bcl-2, a protein needed for cancer cell survival. Chemotherapy drugs, such as azacitidine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving venetoclax in combination with azacitidine may work better in treating patients with therapy related or secondary myelodysplastic syndrome.