Hypomethylating agents are a class of drugs used primarily in the treatment of certain types of cancer, particularly myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. They work by inhibiting the process of DNA methylation, which can lead to the reactivation of genes that help control cell growth and differentiation. This can slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. These agents, such as azacitidine and decitabine, are administered through injections or infusions. By altering the methylation patterns in DNA, they can restore normal function to genes that may have been silenced in cancer cells, thereby improving patient outcomes and survival rates.