Description
Background: Epigenetic modifications such as methylation silencing of genes with CpG-island-associated promoters is frequently observed in cancer. Studies regarding the implications of epigenetic modifications in osteosarcoma (OS) have been limited. The epigenetic drug decitabine is a potential re-activator of silenced genes through de-methylation, and is currently undergoing clinical trials for cancer treatment. No study to date has utilized decitabine to modify gene expression in OS-derived cells to identify gene-specific methylation targets that may have therapeutic importance. The objective of this study was to measure the response of the OS cell line, U-2OS, to decitabine treatment both in vitro and in vivo.