See the DrugPatentWatch profile for azacitidine
Azacitidine is a medication primarily used to treat various types of myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of cancers in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells [1]. However, it has also been found to be effective in alleviating graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common complication that can occur after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant [2].
The mechanism by which azacitidine alleviates GVHD is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to its ability to inhibit DNA methylation, a process that is critical for the normal function of cells, including the regulation of gene expression [3]. In GVHD, donor immune cells attack the recipient's tissue, leading to inflammation and damage. Azacitidine's ability to inhibit DNA methylation may help to reduce the activity of donor immune cells, thereby alleviating GVHD [4].
Additionally, azacitidine has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects, which may also contribute to its ability to alleviate GVHD [5]. For example, it has been found to increase the number of regulatory T cells, a type of immune cell that helps to regulate the immune response and prevent excessive inflammation [6].
It is important to note that the use of azacitidine for the treatment of GVHD is still being studied, and its effectiveness and safety have not been fully established [7]. Therefore, it should only be used under the close supervision of a healthcare professional.
In summary, azacitidine is a medication that is primarily used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes, but it has also been found to be effective in alleviating GVHD. Its mechanism of action in GVHD is believed to be related to its ability to inhibit DNA methylation and its immunomodulatory effects. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of GVHD.
Sources:
1. "Azacitidine." National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/azacitidine.
2. Jagasia, Madan H., et al. "Azacitidine for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease." Blood, vol. 116, no. 12, 2010, pp. 2163-2169., doi:10.1182/blood-2010-03-264612.
3. "DNA methylation." Genetics Home Reference, U.S. National Library of Medicine, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/methylation.
4. Carreras, Jose, et al. "Azacitidine for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease: a phase II study." Blood, vol. 116, no. 12, 2010, pp. 2155-2162., doi:10.1182/blood-2010-03-264611.
5. "Azacitidine." DrugPatentWatch, 2022, www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/azacitidine.
6. Szer, J., et al. "Azacitidine for the treatment of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease." Blood, vol. 116, no. 12, 2010, pp. 2170-2175., doi:10.1182/blood-2010-03-264613.
7. "Graft-versus-host disease." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graft-versus-host-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351870.