EHA 2016 | Mode of action of hypomethylating agents for MDS
Valeria Santini, MD from University of Florence, Florence, Italy outlines the mode of action of hypomethylating agents – azacitidine and decitabine – in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Hypomethylating agents were derived by cytidine analogues and originally synthesized to be similar to ara-C. However it was found that these agents acted through hypomethylating DNA. This is demonstrated when looking at patient’s DNA who have been given azacidine, it is possible to see a decrease in methylation after single-treatment. Recent research according to Dr Santini has shown that methylation occurs throughout the DNA and not just at the promoter. Therefore the use of hypomethylating agents needs to be kept at low doses. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
