Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression not involving
changes in DNA sequence, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cancers like
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemias. This chapter discusses the role of
epigenetics in the pathogenesis of MDS and leukemias. The study of epigenetics has
impacted pharmacology leading to the development of a new class of drugs, epigenetic
drugs, which attempt to reverse epigenetic changes in clinical disorders. At present,
most work is being done on two categories of epigenetic drugs : DNA methyltransferase
inhibitors (DNMTi) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). The chapter discusses
the use of epigenetic drugs in the treatment of MDS and leukemias.
Keywords: Epigenetic drug, histone, leukemia, methylation, myelodysplastic
syndrome, RNA.
