Azacytidine (Vidaza)

Azacitidine is also known as Vidaza, 5-azacytidine, Mylosar, and Ladakamycin. Azacitidine and its deoxy derivative, decitabine (5-aza-2'deoxycytidine), are used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. The azacytidine in the DNA forms a stable complex with DNA methyltransferase enzymes, preventing DNMT activity and resulting in hypomethylation of cellular DNA. Likewise, the incorporation of azacytidine into RNA leads to the dissembly of polyribosomes, defective methylation and inhibition of protein production with subsequent cytotoxicity.