Decitabine

What it is and how it works

Mechanism of Action Decitabine is believed to exert its antineoplastic effects after phosphorylation and direct incorporation into DNA and inhibition of DNA methyltransferase, causing hypomethylation of DNA and cellular differentiation or apoptosis. Decitabine inhibits DNA methylation in vitro, which is achieved at concentrations that do not cause major suppression of DNA synthesis. Decitabine-induced hypomethylation in neoplastic cells may restore normal function to genes that are critical for the control of cellular differentiation and proliferation.

Mechanism class: Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors

Indications

Decitabine for Injection is indicated for treatment of adult patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) including previously treated and untreated, de novo and secondary MDS of all French-American-British subtypes (refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) and intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high-risk International Prognostic Scoring System groups. Decitabine for Injection is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor indicated for treatment of adult patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) including previously treated and untreated, de novo and secondary MDS of all French-American-British subtypes (refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia) and intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high-risk International Prognostic Scoring System groups.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Three Day Regimen : Administer Decitabine for Injection at a dose of 15 mg/m 2 by continuous intravenous infusion over 3 hours repeated every 8 hours for 3 days. Repeat cycle every 6 weeks. Five Day Regimen : Administer Decitabine for Injection at a dose of 20 mg/m 2 by continuous intravenous infusion over 1 hour repeated daily for 5 days. Repeat cycle every 4 weeks. Recommended Dosage Pre-Medications and Baseline Testing Consider pre-medicating for nausea with antiemetics. Conduct baseline laboratory testing: complete blood count (CBC) with platelets, serum hepatic panel, and serum creatinine.

Contraindications

None. None.

Warnings and precautions

Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia : Perform complete blood counts and platelet counts. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception ( 5.2 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Myelosuppression Fatal and serious myelosuppression occurs in Decitabine for Injection-treated patients. Myelosuppression (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) is the most frequent cause of Decitabine for Injection dose reduction, delay, and discontinuation.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from human data, animal studies, and the mechanism of action, Decitabine for Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman .

Storage and supply

Storage Conditions Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F). Discard unused portion. Sterile, Nonpyrogenic, Preservative-free. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex.

Source: Decitabine (Decitabine) — US FDA prescribing information, 2025-08-05, DailyMed. Summarised and shortened; the full label governs. Iranian registration, indications and labelling may differ.