Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

Epigenetics: an emerging technology in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Justin Stebbing1, Mark Bower, Nelofer Syed

  • 1St Bartholomew's Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, London, UK.

Pharmacogenomics
|August 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes via aberrant CpG methylation is common in human cancers. This methylation profiling can aid in cancer subtyping, predicting patient outcomes, and guiding treatment with hypomethylating agents.

Area of Science:

  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Oncology

Background:

  • Transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes is a frequent mechanism of inactivation in human cancer.
  • Aberrant CpG methylation is associated with gene downregulation in carcinogenesis, affecting numerous cancer-related pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of epigenetic regulation, specifically aberrant CpG methylation, in human cancer.
  • To assess the utility of methylation profiling for cancer subtyping and predicting clinical phenotypes.
  • To review the impact of hypomethylating agents in hematological malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of aberrant CpG methylation patterns in tumor suppressor genes.
  • Methylation profiling for cancer subtyping and phenotype prediction.
  • Review of clinical data on hypomethylating agents and gene expression reactivation.

Main Results:

  • Aberrant CpG methylation frequently inactivates tumor suppressor genes in human cancer.
  • Methylation profiling can distinguish cancer subtypes and predict clinical outcomes, including chemotherapy sensitivity.
  • Hypomethylating agents show clinical activity in hematological malignancies, correlating with demethylation and gene re-expression.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic alterations, particularly aberrant CpG methylation, are central to cancer development.
  • Methylation profiling offers potential for improved cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies.
  • Epigenetic analysis is poised to play a significant role in the future management of malignant diseases.

More Related Videos

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer07:50

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Published on: September 18, 2020

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation21:24

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation

Published on: January 2, 2009

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...