Abstract
Purpose: To determine whether therapy with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor is effective in achieving demethylation and gene re-expression in tumor DNA in patients. Methods: Biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumors, enrolled on a clinical trial of 5-azacitidine, within 72 hours of the conclusion of the last infusion of the first cycle of therapy, and compared to pretreatment specimens. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, bisulfite genomic sequencing, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess demethylation and gene re-expression. Results: Substantial degrees of demethylation were detected in all latent and lytic Epstein-Barr virus promoters examined. Immunohistochemistry suggested activation of a previously silent viral antigen expression in one instance. Conclusion: Pharmacologic reversal of dense CpG methylation in tumor tissue can be achieved in patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1373-1381 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Oncology |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research