Phase II study of azacitidine to restore responsiveness of prostate cancer to hormonal therapy.

Epigenetic alterations, including methylation of key tumor suppressor genes, may play a role in the progression of prostate cancer to a castration-refractory state. Azacitidine, an agent approved for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes, appears to exert its antineoplastic effects partly by hypomethylating DNA that leads to the reversal of gene silencing. It is hypothesized that the addition of azacitidine to complete androgen blockade may restore the responsiveness of progressive prostate cancer to hormonal therapy.