Decitabine, a new star in epigenetic therapy: the clinical application and biological mechanism in solid tumors.

Abstract

Epigenetic alterations are strongly associated with cancer development and drug resistance. The use of the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine (Dacogen®) has been approved in the treatment of hematological malignancies, and its clinical effects on solid tumors have gained attention. Here, we present a review of the molecular regulation mechanisms, clinical experiences and biological evaluation for novel decitabine-based therapies in solid tumors. We also discuss the following questions: What is the best administration schedule of decitabine in solid tumors? Is there tumor type specificity for decitabine-based epigenetic therapy? What are the biological function and mechanism of decitabine in suppressing tumor development? Is there a correlation between DNA demethylation and clinical response? Importantly, low-dose decitabine and combined therapy show significant improvement in solid tumor treatment. However, the correlation studies are preliminary, and key biomarkers for prognosis need further investigation.

• Authors: Jing Nie, Lin Liu, Xiang Li, Weidong Han
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 354 Issue 1 Pg. 12-20 (Nov 01 2014) ISSN: 1872-7980 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 25130173 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Decitabine
• Azacitidine

Topics

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (administration & dosage, chemistry)
• Azacitidine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, chemistry)
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• DNA Methylation (drug effects)
• Decitabine
• Epigenesis, Genetic
• Humans
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics)
• Prognosis