Monoclonal
antibodies, the shining star in the anti-cancer therapeutics firmament, are
faced with some new competition. While epigenetic therapeutics have been around
for a while, a raft of new clinical trials are in progress, and with any luck
the next few years will see a number of FDA approvals for these agents.
As was
pointed out at recent symposium (Third World Epigenetics Summit, Boston, July
24-26), epigenetic drugs offer a number of important advantages over other
forms of cancer treatment. First of all, their mechanism of action is well
understood, as they target a specific enzyme in the oncogenic process.
Secondly, they are small molecules, which means they can be taken orally,
saving the patient discomfort, cost and inconvenience.
Thirdly, there are
already FDA-approved epigenetic anti-cancer drugs available, such as
azacytidine, and trials can combine an approved drug with one of the compounds
under evaluation. And finally, epigenetic drugs, unlike traditional antimitotic
agents, are specific in their targeting. Rather than blasting away, machine gun
style, at the objective, they aim at a very specific reaction site within the
cell. So far their side effects have proven to be relatively minor.
The
last century of the war on cancer certainly serves as a powerful admonition
against irrational exuberance, but at this stage there is certainly reason for
positive beliefs, and the coming trials will be closely followed.
Our report on Epigenetics is available from Kalorama Information at our website.
