title: Azacitidine and the beginnings of therapeutic epigenetic modulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although originally developed as a cytarabine analog more than 40 years ago, azacitidine has been the subject of renewed interest in the era of cancer epigenetics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  What is the history of the clinical development of azacitidine and how has it been applied successfully to the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)?
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the evolution of the use of azacitidine for the therapy of human disease and review the major studies that have laid the groundwork for its current clinical indication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of azacitidine has changed the approach to the treatment of MDS and has resulted in improved outcomes for patients.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, New York, 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Dwyer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maslak
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D001374:Azacitidine