Beyond azacitidine: investigating new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of MDS
Ashwin Unnikrishnan
PhDThe University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Project Term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
This proposal aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying response to AZA therapy in MDS, as a basis for developing more effective therapies. A ribonucleotide, AZA’s effects on RNA remain unknown. Here, we will investigate the impact of in vivo AZA therapy on RNA alternative splicing and DNA demethylation in MDS patients. Secondly, we will investigate whether AZA treatment exposes neoepitopes in the dysplastic cells of patients, which could be exploited for cancer immunotherapy in MDS
The drug Azacitidine (AZA) is the best available treatment for patients with the blood cancer Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). However, more than half of the treated patients will never respond to treatment. Furthermore, a significant fraction of the patients will eventually relapse, highlighting a need to develop more effective and durable therapies. Here, we will investigate molecular mechanisms within MDS cells affected by AZA, as a means to develop new treatment options for MDS. In the first aim, we will investigateThe drug Azacitidine (AZA) is the best available treatment for patients with the blood cancer Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). However, more than half of the treated patients will never respond to treatment. Furthermore, a significant fraction of the patients will eventually relapse, highlighting a need to develop more effective and durable therapies. Here, we will investigate molecular mechanisms within MDS cells affected by AZA, as a means to develop new treatment options for MDS. In the first aim, we will investigate