Epigenetic alterations and cancer: new targets for therapy.

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Allen A

Epigenetic alterations and cancer: new targets for therapy.

IDrugs. 2007 Oct;10(10):709-12.

PubMed ID

17899489 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Over the last two decades, preclinical and clinical research has implicated epigenetic alterations in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. Epigenetic changes, involving both DNA methylation and alterations in chromatin structure, are associated with the inhibition of transcription of key cell regulatory genes that, under normal conditions, control the cell cycle and initiate apoptotic cell death in neoplastic cells. Drugs have been developed with functional effects, including DNA hypomethylation and histone acetylation, that serve to restore the normal transcription of cell regulatory genes (eg, tumor suppressor genes). DNA hypomethylating agents, such as azacitidine (Vidaza), and histone deacetylase inhibitors such as vorinostat (Zolinza) have been approved in the US for the treatment of cancer, reinforcing the importance of these pathways in the biology of this disease. Current research involves combining these classes of agents and identifying new drug targets within the growing family of epigenetic enzymes.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Azacitidine	DNA	Nucleotide	Humans	Yes	Other	Details