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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
09:19

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Published on: February 6, 2015

[Epigenetic cancer drugs and their role in anticancer therapy]

P Klener1

  • 1Interní klinika 1. lékařské fakulty UK a VFN v Praze. pavel.klener@ruk.cuni.cz

Vnitrni Lekarstvi
|July 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic drugs offer reversible cancer treatments by targeting DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Approved drugs include DNA methyltransferase inhibitors for myelodysplastic syndrome and histone acetylase inhibitors for certain blood cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Epigenetic modifications are key drivers in cancer development and progression.
  • These epigenetic changes are potentially reversible, presenting therapeutic opportunities.
  • Epigenetic cancer drugs aim to reverse these alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic cancer drugs.
  • To explore the potential clinical applications of these drugs.
  • To provide an overview of epigenetic drugs in clinical trials and approved therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of basic science and clinical data on epigenetic cancer drugs.
  • Focus on molecular mechanisms, including DNA methyltransferase and histone acetylase inhibition.
  • Analysis of approved drugs and their indications, as well as drugs in clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • Several epigenetic drugs are currently undergoing clinical trials.
  • Two demethylating agents (5-azacytidine and decitabine) are approved for myelodysplastic syndrome.
  • Histone acetylase inhibitors (vorinostat, romidepsin, panobinostat) are approved for hematological malignancies, especially T-cell lymphoma.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic drugs represent a promising class of cancer therapeutics.
  • Approved epigenetic drugs have shown efficacy in specific hematological malignancies.
  • Ongoing clinical trials suggest expanding applications for these reversible therapies.

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