Decitabine is a nucleoside analog of cytidine. When incorporated into DNA, it traps DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), leading to the hypomethylation of DNA. This process can reactivate tumor suppressor genes that were previously silenced by hypermethylation. The reactivation of these genes can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and induce apoptosis. By targeting the epigenetic mechanisms, decitabine can modify the cancer cell's behavior and improve treatment outcomes.
