It can also be used as a precursor for 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, a treatment for MDS patients. This compound slows the cell cycle by interfering with the methylation of the P15/INK4B gene, increasing the expression of P15/INK4B protein which subdues the transformation of MDS to leukemia.[2]
Deoxycytidine can also serve as a biomarker for tumor diagnosis. Deoxycytidine can be used as a biomarker for breast cancer patients and healthy individuals. 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2′-deoxycytidine (5-hmdC), 5-(formyl)-2′-deoxycytidine (5-fodC), and 5-(carboxyl)-2′-deoxycytidine (5-cadC) are intermediates in the DNA demethylation pathway and can act as biomarkers. 5-hmdC levels were significantly reduced in urine samples of breast cancer patients, while 5-fodC and 5-cadC levels were elevated.[3]
References
^Staub M, Eriksson S (2006). "The Role of Deoxycytidine Kinase in DNA Synthesis and Nucleoside Analog Activation". In Peters GJ (ed.). Deoxynucleoside Analogs In Cancer Therapy. Cancer Drug Discovery and Development. Humana Press. pp. 29–52. doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-148-2_2. ISBN978-1-59745-148-2.
^Kim KW, Roh JK, Wee HJ, Kim C (2016). "Molecular Targeted Anticancer Drugs". In Kim KW, Roh JK, Wee HJ, Kim C (eds.). Cancer Drug Discovery: Science and History. Springer Netherlands. pp. 175–238. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-0844-7_9. ISBN978-94-024-0844-7.