Decitabine

General information

Decitabine (5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine) is structurally very similar to azacitidine [ ]. Both drugs have promising activity against acute myeloblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. In addition, decitabine has significant activity against chronic myeloid leukemia. It is rapidly metabolized in the liver by cytidine deaminase, which explains its short half-life of 8–30 minutes. In an intravenous dose of 100 mg/m ² over 6 hours every 12 hours for 5 days (1000 mg/m ² per course), the only adverse effect was dose-dependent myelosuppression, with a delayed onset and a prolonged course. Other adverse reactions, such as cardiovascular effects (for example acute myocardial infarction and acute heart failure), nephrotoxicity, or nervous system effects, were rare, and it is unclear whether these adverse reactions were drug-related or whether the underlying condition was a more likely cause [ ].