Table 2 An overview of pre-clinical DNMTi, their mechanism, clinical status, and their effect on ATLL

Zebularine

Increased tumor sensitivity to treatment and induction of apoptosis

Pre-clinical

Not evaluated

[38, 48, 49]

SGI-1027

Reactivation of tumor suppressor genes and moderate pro-apoptotic effects

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 50, 51]

DC_05 analogues

Inhibition of DNMT1 and induction of cell death

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 52]

Quinazoline derivatives

Inhibition of cell proliferation

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 53]

Propiophenone derivatives

Inhibition of cell proliferation

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 54]

Procainamide conjugates

Selective cytotoxicity toward DNA methyltransferases

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 55]

Indole derivatives

Inhibition of cell proliferation

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 56]

Isoxazoline and oxazoline derivatives

Inhibition of cell proliferation

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 57, 58]

Dichlone

Cytotoxicity

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 59]

RG108 analogues

Greater cytotoxicity than RG108

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 60, 61]

SW155246

Reactivation of the RASSF1A gene

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 62]

Nanaomycin A

Reactivation of tumor suppressor genes

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 63]

Laccaic acid A

Up-regulation of VGF and MAL genes

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[38, 64]

Flavonoid derivatives (Kazinol Q, chloronitroflavanones

Inhibition of cell proliferation and reactivation of the E-cadherin gene

Preclinical

Not evaluated

[65, 38, 66]

Indole-3-carbinol

Inhibition of tumor growth

Investigational

High efficacy (strong evidence)

[67]