Epigenetic cancer drugs and their role in anticancer therapy

Czech version

Authors: P. Klener
Authors‘ workplace: I. interní klinika 1. lékařské fakulty UK a VFN v Praze, přednosta prof. MU Dr. Marek Trněný, CSc., a Ústav hematologie a krevní transfuze Praha, ředitel prof. MU Dr. Marek Trněný, CSc.
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2013; 59(6): 463-465
Category: 80th birthday prof. MUDr. Karla Horkého, DrSc., FACP (Hon.)

Overview

Epigenetic modification have been causally linked to cancer development and progression, and are potentially reversible by treatments with epigenetic cancer drugs. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the basic current knowledge on molecular mechanisms of epigenetic cancer drugs and their possible clinical use. Many of them are in inclinical trials. However only two demethylating agents ie. inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase (5- azacytidin and decitabin) are approved in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and a few inhibitors of histonacetylase (vorinostat, romidepsin and panobinostat) are approved in the treatment of hematological malignancies, particularly in refractory or relapsed cutaneous T‑ cell lymhoma.

Key words:
epigenetic cancer drugs – inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase – inhibitors of histondeacetylase

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