Treatment of cancer
This disclosure provides agents, compositions and methods of treating cancer by inhibiting histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) and/or and a histone lysine specific demethylase 2 (LSD2). Agents and compositions comprise statins and/or inhibitors of LSD1/2.
1. A method for treating cancer in a subject comprising:
(a) determining the expression level of a histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) and/or a histone lysine specific demethylase 2 (LSD2) from a sample of cancer cells derived from a subject; and
(b) administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an epigenetic modulating adjuvant agent in conjunction with at least one chemotherapy
when there is an increased expression of LSD1 and/or LSD2 in the cancer cells,
wherein the epigenetic modulating adjuvant agent is a statin, and
wherein the epigenetic modulating adjuvant agent promotes chemo-protection and reducing chemo-resistance.
2. The methods of claim 1 , wherein the statin induces cell apoptosis that is not mitigated by the mevalonate pathway, the by-product of HMG-CoA reductase.
3. The methods of claim 1 , wherein the statin is selected from the group consisting of fluvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, mevastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin.
4. The methods of claim 1 , wherein the statin is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of: intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, topical, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, intrapleural, intrauterine, rectal, vaginal, intrasynovial, intraocular/periocular, intratumor, and parenteral administration.
5. The methods of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemotherapy is an alkylating chemotherapeutic drug.