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Realgar (α-As4S4) Treats Myelodysplastic Syndromes through Reducing DNA Hypermethylation

Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine volume 28, pages 281–288 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

DNA hypermethylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a critical role in the oncogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Aberrant DNA methylation represses the transcription of promotors of tumor suppressor genes, inducing gene silencing. Realgar (α-As4S4) is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of various diseases in the ancient time. Realgar was reported to have efficacy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It has been demonstrated that realgar could efficiently reduce DNA hypermethylation of MDS. This review discusses the mechanisms of realgar on inhibiting DNA hypermethylation of MDS, as well as the species and metabolisms of arsenic in vivo.

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  1. Research Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Key Lab of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Beijing, 100091, China

    Miao Zhang, Ming-qian Sun &  Jian-xun Liu

  2. Education Sector, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China

    Jia-yi Zhang

  3. Medical Administration Division, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China

    Peng Lu

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  1. Miao Zhang
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  2. Jia-yi Zhang
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Zhang M designed and wrote the manuscript. Zhang JY contributed to constructing the framework of the manuscript. Sun MQ performed to the data collection. Lu P helped to polish the language. Liu JX contributed to conceiving the ideas and innovations.

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Correspondence to Jian-xun Liu.

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Zhang, M., Zhang, Jy., Sun, Mq. et al. Realgar (α-As4S4) Treats Myelodysplastic Syndromes through Reducing DNA Hypermethylation. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 28, 281–288 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-020-3263-8

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Keywords

  • myelodysplastic syndromes
  • DNA hypermethylation
  • realgar
  • arsenic
  • review