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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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 in cancer: what's the future?
Yanis Boumber1, Jean-Pierre J Issa
1Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.)
|May 10, 2011
Summary
Epigenetic drugs targeting DNA methylation and histone modifications offer less toxic cancer treatments. Ongoing research explores novel agents and combination therapies to overcome challenges like resistance and improve solid tumor responses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Epigenetics involves stable gene expression changes without altering DNA sequence, primarily through DNA methylation and histone modifications.
- Epigenome disruption is a key mechanism in cancer development.
- Several FDA-approved epigenetic drugs, including azacitidine and vorinostat, show efficacy and reduced toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent clinical and translational data in cancer epigenetics.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of epigenetic agents in cancer treatment.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in the field.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical trial data.
- Analysis of translational research findings.
- Examination of preclinical studies on novel epigenetic agents.
Main Results:
- Approved epigenetic drugs like azacitidine, decitabine, vorinostat, and romidepsin have demonstrated survival benefits.
- Combination therapies involving DNA methylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors show promising results.
- Emerging data are identifying molecular determinants of clinical response to epigenetic therapies.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic therapies represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment, offering improved survival and reduced toxicity.
- Challenges such as lack of predictive markers, unclear response mechanisms, and limited efficacy in solid tumors persist.
- Ongoing preclinical research with novel epigenetic agents holds promise for future cancer therapy development.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Epigenetic 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...
X-chromosome...
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
02:57Targeted 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...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
03:00Next-generation Sequencing
The first human genome sequencing project cost $2.7 billion and was declared complete in 2003, after 15 years of international cooperation and collaboration between several research teams and funding agencies. Today, with the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies, the cost and time of sequencing a human genome have dropped over 100 fold.
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features.
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features.