See the DrugPatentWatch profile for azacitidine

Azacitidine is a medication used to treat various conditions, including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia [1]. It is also being studied for its potential in reducing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) symptoms, a common complication that can occur after a stem cell transplant [2].

GVHD occurs when the transplanted cells attack the recipient's tissues, causing symptoms such as rash, diarrhea, and liver dysfunction [3]. Azacitidine is thought to reduce GVHD symptoms by suppressing the immune system, specifically by inhibiting the activity of DNA methyltransferase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression [4].

By inhibiting DNA methyltransferase, azacitidine can alter the expression of genes involved in the immune response, thereby reducing the activity of immune cells that contribute to GVHD [5]. Additionally, azacitidine has been shown to promote the development of regulatory T cells, a type of immune cell that helps to regulate the immune response and prevent excessive inflammation [6].

In a study published in the journal Blood, researchers found that azacitidine treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the severity of GVHD symptoms in mice [7]. Furthermore, a phase I/II clinical trial is currently underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of azacitidine in preventing GVHD in human patients [8].

In conclusion, azacitidine is a medication that has the potential to reduce GVHD symptoms by suppressing the immune system and altering the expression of genes involved in the immune response. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which azacitidine reduces GVHD symptoms and to determine its safety and efficacy in human patients.

Sources:

1. "Azacitidine: MedlinePlus Drug Information." U.S. National Library of Medicine, <https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607045.html>.
2. "Azacitidine." DrugPatentWatch, <https://drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/azacitidine>.
3. "Graft-versus-Host Disease." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Jan. 2021, <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graft-versus-host-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351888>.
4. "Azacitidine." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, <https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Azacitidine>.
5. "Azacitidine." Cancer Research UK, <https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/azacitidine>.
6. "Azacitidine Induces Human Regulatory T Cells and Suppresses Alloreactive T Cell Responses." The Journal of Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, 15 Aug. 2007, <https://www.jimmunol.org/content/179/4/2434>.
7. "Azacitidine Ameliorates Graft-versus-Host Disease by Inducing Regulatory T Cells." Blood, American Society of Hematology, 15 Nov. 2012, <https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/120/20/4162/103682/Azacitidine-ameliorates-graft-versus-host-disease>.
8. "Safety and Efficacy of Azacitidine for the Prevention of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AGAVE)." ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine, <https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02814864>.