Decitabine (5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine) is a deoxycytidine analogue antimetabolite and a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Decitabine incorporates into DNA in place of cytosine can covalently trap DNA methyltransferase to DNA causing irreversible inhibition of the enzyme. Decitabine induces cell G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis. Decitabine has potent anticancer activity^[1][2]. In Vitro: Decitabine treatment significantly inhibits cell growth of SNU719, NCC24 and KATOIII 96 hours after exposure to decitabine. Decitabine induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis in EBVaGC, inhibits invasion ability, and up-regulates E-cadherin expression for EBVaGC^[1].
Only high concentrations (10 µM) Decitabine (0.1-1 μM; 24-72 hours) results in a G2 phase arrest, which is accompanied by a reduction of cells in G1 phase^[3].
Decitabine up-regulates DCTPP1 and dUTPase expression in HeLa cells^[4].
In Vivo: Decitabine (1.0 mg/kg, p.o.) in combination with tetrahydrouridine (THU) causes severe toxicity occurs in female CD-1 mice, and results in an increased sensitivity to decitabine toxicity correlating with decitabine plasma levels^[5].
Decitabine (1.0 mg/kg; i.p.; once daily for 5 consecutive days) leads to regression of EL4 tumors established in C57BL/6 Mice^[7].