Epigenetic therapy of cancer stem and progenitor cells by targeting DNA methylation machineries

Figure 3 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine induces apoptosis of human teratocarcinoma stem cells but not their differentiated counterparts. Human nullipotent embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, the stem cells of teratocarcinoma, are highly sensitive to 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (Aza-dC), which induces apoptosis of the cancer stem cells. On the other hand, OCT4-knockdown differentiated nullipotent EC cells are resistant toward Aza-dC treatment. In human pluripotent EC cells NTERA2, DNMT3B mediates apoptosis induced by Aza-dC, whereas the enzyme mediates differentiation of human ES cells induced by the inhibitor. DNMT: DNA methyltransferases; ES: Embryonicstem; OCT4: Octamer-binding transcription factor 4.