Azacitidine are DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors - 641 Words

Azacytidine or 5 AZC Trade Name : Vidaza Introduction: Azacitidine are DNA Methyltransferase inhibitors. Azacitidine being an analog for cytidine gets integrated into the DNA sequence of the DNMT gene, the gene turns dysfunctional, inhibiting the DNA methyltransferase enzymes which normally methylate DNA. Azacitidine is used primarily for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS- a blood disorder which affects the bone marrow leading to a low or ineffective production of blood cells. The cancerous overgrowth of a number of immature cells or blasts and the abnormally developed or dysplastic cells increase, thereby reducing the cell count of normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Azacitidine as a chemotherapeutic drug (in low doses) prevents the body from making nucleic acids required for cell growth of the cancerous cells. This stops the growth of cancer cells and leads to cell death. Azacitidine also appears to help restore normal growth and differentiation (cell specialization) in the cells of the bone marrow. This betters the bone marrow production of normal blood cells. Discovery: Azacitidine was first synthesized by Piskala and Sorm in 1964 [Piskala A, Sorm F. (1964). Collect Czech Chem. Commun., 29: 2060-2076]. It was developed as a nucleoside antimetabolite specifically used for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (Cihak, 1974;Sorm et al., 1964). But studies later revealed that this drug inhibited cell mitosis with highShow MoreRelated5-Azacytidine is a Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents for Cancer1430 Words   |  6 PagesOverview 5-Azacytidine is a chemical analogue of cytidine, a nucleoside present in DNA and RNA with antineoplastic activity. It is sold under the brand name Vidaza. The drug was first synthesized in Czechoslovakia as potential chemotherapeutic agents for cancer. It is an inhibitor of DNA methylation and was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in May 2004. MDS are diseases caused by abnormalities in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, which result inRead MoreCancer Therapies And The Lack Of Effectiveness1254 Words   |  6 Pagestreatments, such as radiation, promote cancer growth. The use of natural products from microorganisms as anticancer therapies was developed in response to the urgent need of initiating more effective treatment options. Histone deacetylases (HBAC) inhibitors have exemplified strong potential, with three compounds approved by the FDA and several other undergoing clinical studies. Du et al. recently conducted a thorough study, describing the potential of a compound known as 1-alaninechlamydocin and itsRead MoreDiet Mediated And Transgenerational Epigenetic Effects1186 Words   |  5 Pages Martienssen, 2014). One recent study showed that children of obese fathers were at a higher risk of developing obesity themselves. The epigenetic marks of lean and obese men showed similar histone positioning between the two groups but differing DNA methylation patterns, notably in areas of the genome that control satiety. This finding implies that the epigenetic marks of human spermatozoa changed in response to environmental pressure, which in turn p ropagate obesity in future generations (Barrà ¨s