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Epigenetic changes in virus-associated human cancers

Hsin Pai Li1, Yu Wei Leu, Yu Sun Chang

  • 1Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Kwei-shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Cell Research
|April 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic changes, particularly DNA hypermethylation, are crucial in human cancers. This review explores how viral infections influence these changes, impacting tumor suppressor genes and offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic markers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Virology

Background:

  • Aberrant DNA hypermethylation of promoter regions is a common event in human cancers.
  • Deregulation of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) contributes to tumor suppressor gene silencing.
  • Viral gene products are increasingly recognized as key regulators of DNA methylation patterns in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of DNA hypermethylation and tumor suppressor gene silencing in virus-associated cancers.
  • To examine signal pathways involved in epigenetic dysregulation by hepatitis B virus, SV40, and Epstein-Barr virus.
  • To discuss advanced technologies for genome-wide detection of epigenetic modifications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer.
  • Analysis of signal transduction pathways implicated in viral oncogenesis and DNA methylation.
  • Overview of current high-throughput technologies for epigenome-wide analysis.

Main Results:

  • Viral infections can induce aberrant DNA hypermethylation, leading to the silencing of critical tumor suppressor genes.
  • Specific signaling pathways are modulated by viruses to promote epigenetic alterations.
  • Emerging technologies enable comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation across the genome.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic alterations, especially DNA hypermethylation, are fundamental to cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding virus-driven epigenetic changes offers insights into cancer etiology.
  • Epigenetic markers hold promise for early cancer detection, prognosis, and targeted therapies.

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