2023
A study of using epigenetic modulators to enhance response to pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in microsatellite stable advanced colorectal cancer
Baretti M, Murphy A, Zahurak M, Gianino N, Parkinson R, Walker R, Lopez-Vidal T, Zheng L, Rosner G, Ahuja N, Kurt S, Azad N. A study of using epigenetic modulators to enhance response to pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in microsatellite stable advanced colorectal cancer. Clinical Epigenetics 2023, 15: 74. PMID: 37120591, PMCID: PMC10149019, DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01485-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedColorectal NeoplasmsDNA MethylationDNA Modification MethylasesEpigenesis, GeneticHumansMicrosatellite InstabilityMicrosatellite RepeatsMiddle AgedTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsColorectal cancer patientsAdvanced colorectal cancer patientsImmune checkpoint inhibitor therapyMedian progression-free survivalDurable partial responseHematological adverse eventsMMR-proficient tumorsCheckpoint inhibitor therapyAdvanced colorectal cancerProgression-free survivalImmune cell infiltrationHistone deacetylasesImmunologic shiftCheckpoint inhibitorsRECIST criteriaAdverse eventsCheckpoint therapyOverall survivalPartial responseInhibitor therapyMedian ageColorectal cancerFurther mechanistic investigationsCancer patientsCell infiltration
2019
A phase 1 trial of the oral DNA methyltransferase inhibitor CC‐486 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in advanced solid tumors
Gaillard SL, Zahurak M, Sharma A, Durham J, Reiss K, Sartorius‐Mergenthaler S, Downs M, Anders N, Ahuja N, Rudek M, Azad N. A phase 1 trial of the oral DNA methyltransferase inhibitor CC‐486 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in advanced solid tumors. Cancer 2019, 125: 2837-2845. PMID: 31012962, PMCID: PMC6663621, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32138.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdministration, OralAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnorexiaAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsAzacitidineDepsipeptidesDNA Modification MethylasesDrug Administration ScheduleFemaleHistone Deacetylase InhibitorsHumansLong Interspersed Nucleotide ElementsMaleMaximum Tolerated DoseMethyltransferasesMiddle AgedNauseaNeoplasmsConceptsHistone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsinDisease control rateAdvanced solid tumorsPhase 1 studyCC-486Solid tumorsDose-escalation portionPhase 2 doseDose-limiting toxicityPossible clinical benefitPhase 1 trialDose-escalation designElement-1 methylationLINE-1 methylationStable diseaseCommon toxicitiesDose expansionExpansion cohortPrimary outcomeClinical benefitControl rateDrug exposureBlood samplesDay 1Dose levels
2017
The Roles of DNA Methylation in the Stages of Cancer
McMahon KW, Karunasena E, Ahuja N. The Roles of DNA Methylation in the Stages of Cancer. The Cancer Journal 2017, 23: 257-261. PMID: 28926425, PMCID: PMC5657558, DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000279.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2012
Transient Low Doses of DNA-Demethylating Agents Exert Durable Antitumor Effects on Hematological and Epithelial Tumor Cells
Tsai HC, Li H, Van Neste L, Cai Y, Robert C, Rassool FV, Shin JJ, Harbom KM, Beaty R, Pappou E, Harris J, Yen RW, Ahuja N, Brock MV, Stearns V, Feller-Kopman D, Yarmus LB, Lin YC, Welm AL, Issa JP, Minn I, Matsui W, Jang YY, Sharkis SJ, Baylin SB, Zahnow CA. Transient Low Doses of DNA-Demethylating Agents Exert Durable Antitumor Effects on Hematological and Epithelial Tumor Cells. Cancer Cell 2012, 21: 430-446. PMID: 22439938, PMCID: PMC3312044, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2011.12.029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntimetabolites, AntineoplasticApoptosisAzacitidineBone Marrow CellsBreast NeoplasmsCell CycleCell Line, TumorCell Transformation, NeoplasticDecitabineDNA DamageDNA MethylationDNA Modification MethylasesGene SilencingHumansLeukemiaMiceMolecular Sequence DataNeoplastic Stem CellsPromoter Regions, GeneticSignal TransductionTumor Cells, CulturedConceptsKey cellular regulatory pathwaysDNA methylation inhibitorPromoter DNA hypermethylationCellular regulatory pathwaysDNA demethylating agentEpithelial tumor cellsPromoter DNA methylationRapid DNA damageCancer stem-like cellsGene reexpressionDNA methylationStem-like cellsMethylation inhibitorDNA hypermethylationRegulatory pathwaysCancer therapy approachesAssociated geneDNA damageTumor cellsImmediate cytotoxicityNanomolar dosesTransient exposureCellsGenesMethylation