[Targeting epigenetics plasticity as a novel target for human neoplasia]

Epigenetics mechanisms are essential for normal development and maintenance of tissue-specific gene expression patterns in normal cells. Certain forms of histone methylation induce local heterochromatin formation, which is readily reversible, whereas DNA methylation leads to stable long-term repression. The precise epigenomic landscape present in normal cells undergoes extensive distortion in cancer. These characteristic epigenetic mechanisms are thought to be associated with tumor formation and progression. The reversible nature of epigenetic changes has led to the emergence of the field of epigenetic therapy, which may lead to potent and promising cancer treatment.