Epigenetic therapy and chemosensitization in solid malignancy

Use of epigenetic therapy coincident with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy appears to derive a benefit due to chemosensitization. Trials demonstrating efficacy from combination therapy have been performed in various diseases such as NSCLC, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Furthermore, there are patient subsets in certain solid tumors in which epigenetic therapy provide durable response, such as patients with NSCLC and specific hypermethylation patterns. The encouraging results from combination therapy identified in these trials built upon prior investigations and have provided a foundation for ensuing trials seeking to evaluate epigenetic therapy.