The DNA demethylating agent decitabine activates the TRAIL pathway and induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia

► DAC induces apoptosis in AML cells and activates the apoptotic extrinsic pathway. ► DAC induces TRAIL expression in human AML cells. ► CpG-A rich region upstream of the TRAIL promoter is demethylated upon DAC treatment. ► CpG-A is a regulatory element whose activity can be modulated by methylation. ► CpG-A is hypermethylated in APL patients.