Podcast
Questions and Answers
What makes targeting epigenetic alterations an attractive approach in cancer therapeutics?
What makes targeting epigenetic alterations an attractive approach in cancer therapeutics?
- The irreversible nature of epigenetic alterations.
- The lack of off-target effects with epigenetic drugs.
- The ease of identifying epigenetic targets.
- The reversible nature of epigenetic alterations. (correct)
What is the primary mechanism of action of decitabine and azacytidine in treating cancer?
What is the primary mechanism of action of decitabine and azacytidine in treating cancer?
- DNA demethylation. (correct)
- Promotion of histone methylation.
- Inhibition of histone acetylation.
- Direct cell cycle arrest.
For which types of cancer have decitabine and azacytidine received approval for clinical use?
For which types of cancer have decitabine and azacytidine received approval for clinical use?
- Solid tumors such as breast and colon cancer.
- Neurological cancers such as glioblastoma.
- Skin cancers such as melanoma.
- Haematological malignancies and myelodysplastic syndromes. (correct)
What aspect of current clinical trials involving epigenetic drugs is particularly encouraging?
What aspect of current clinical trials involving epigenetic drugs is particularly encouraging?
Which agencies have approved decitabine and azacytidine?
Which agencies have approved decitabine and azacytidine?
Flashcards
Epigenetic alterations
Epigenetic alterations
Changes in gene expression without altering DNA sequence.
Histone acetylation
Histone acetylation
A process that modifies histone proteins and affects gene expression.
DNA methylation
DNA methylation
The addition of a methyl group to DNA, often silencing gene expression.
Decitabine
Decitabine
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Clinical trials
Clinical trials
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Study Notes
Epigenetic Alterations in Cancer Treatment
- Epigenetic alterations in cancer are reversible, making timely targeting a promising therapeutic approach.
- Drugs targeting histone acetylation and DNA methylation are being developed.
- Clinical trials show encouraging results for these drugs, indicating potential for epigenetic therapy.
- Decitabine (Dacogen®) and azacytidine (Vidaza®, Azadine®, Onureg®) are approved DNA demethylating agents.
- These approved drugs show efficacy in haematological malignancies and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
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