title: Epigenetics meets immune checkpoints.
abstract: Epigenetic alterations play a pivotal role in cancer development and progression. Pharmacologic reversion of such alterations is feasible, and second generation "epigenetic drugs" are in development and have been demonstrated to possess significant immunomodulatory properties. This knowledge, together with the availability of new and highly effective immunotherapeutic agents including immune checkpoint(s) blocking monoclonal antibodies, allows us to plan for highly innovative proof-of-principle combination studies that will likely open the path to more effective anticancer therapies.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy; Epigen Therapeutics S.r.l., Pordenone, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Covre
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy; Epigen Therapeutics S.r.l., Pordenone, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coral
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Di Giacomo
authors.affiliation: Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, Dublin, CA.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taverna
authors.affiliation: Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc, Dublin, CA.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azab
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: mmaiocro@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C580831:guadecitabine; D001374:Azacitidine