©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Jan 26, 2015; 7(1): 137-148
Published online Jan 26, 2015. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i1.137
Published online Jan 26, 2015. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i1.137
Epigenetic therapy of cancer stem and progenitor cells by targeting DNA methylation machineries
Patompon Wongtrakoongate, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Author contributions: Wongtrakoongate P solely contributed to the manuscript
Correspondence to: Patompon Wongtrakoongate, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. p.wongtrakoongate@gmail.com
Telephone: +66-988-250113 Fax: +66-224-80375
Received: July 28, 2014
Peer-review started: July 28, 2014
First decision: September 16, 2014
Revised: October 14, 2014
Accepted: October 28, 2014
Article in press: December 16, 2014
Published online: January 26, 2015
Processing time: 170 Days and 3.2 Hours
Peer-review started: July 28, 2014
First decision: September 16, 2014
Revised: October 14, 2014
Accepted: October 28, 2014
Article in press: December 16, 2014
Published online: January 26, 2015
Processing time: 170 Days and 3.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Several types of cancers can be developed from genetic and/or epigenetic instabilities of stem and progenitor cells. Epigenetic abnormality involving dysregulation of DNA methylation has been reported to implicate in cancer aggressiveness. Inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity by DNA methylation inhibitors has shown promising results toward treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease associated with leukemic stem cells. This review summarizes evidences which are pertinent to the antitumorigenic potential of DNA methylation inhibitors 5-Azacytidine and 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine on cancer stem and progenitor cells including those of leukemia and other solid tumors.