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Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
Published on: August 5, 2022
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Immunological effects of hypomethylating agents.
Katherine E Lindblad1, Meghali Goswami1, Christopher S Hourigan1
1a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA.
Expert Review of Hematology
|June 24, 2017
Summary
Hypomethylating agents, used for blood cancers like myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, may also boost anti-tumor immunity. Research explores their effects on immune cells and potential synergy with immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are common in hematologic malignancies.
- Hypomethylating agents (e.g., azacitidine, decitabine) are standard treatments for high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.
- Evidence suggests these agents possess immune-mediated anti-tumor effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of hypomethylating agents on immune cell subsets.
- To summarize impacts on natural killer cells, T cells, and dendritic cells.
- To highlight effects on immune checkpoint inhibitors, leukemia antigens, and retroviral elements.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical and basic science studies.
- Focus on azacitidine and decitabine.
- Analysis of immune cell frequency and function.
Main Results:
- In vitro and ex vivo studies show varied effects on immune cell function.
- Clinical data suggest immunomodulatory roles for hypomethylating agents.
- Observed effects on immune checkpoint inhibitors, leukemia antigens, and retroviral elements.
Conclusions:
- Hypomethylating agents have immunomodulatory functions in hematologic malignancies.
- Potential for synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors is an active research area.
- Further clinical investigation is warranted to optimize combination therapies.
Keywords:
Acute myeloid leukemiaNK cellsT-cellsazacitidinedecitabinehypomethylating agentsimmune effectsmyelodysplastic syndromeMore Related Videos
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