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[Histone methyltransferases: a new class of therapeutic targets in cancer treatment?]

Hassiba Chaib1, Thomas Prébet, Norbert Vey

  • 1Centre de recherche en cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France.

Medecine Sciences : M/S
|September 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation and histone acetylation are key in cancer. Reversing these epigenetic changes with drugs offers a promising new cancer therapy strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetic gene regulation, alongside genetic changes, drives cancer development and progression.
  • Unlike genetic disorders, epigenetic alterations are potentially reversible, offering unique therapeutic targets.
  • Epidrugs aim to restore epigenetic balance, representing a novel strategy in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of epigenetic modifications in cancer.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators in cancer treatment.
  • To discuss recent advancements in epidrugs for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on epigenetic modifications in cancer.
  • Analysis of pharmacological approaches targeting epigenetic enzymes.
  • Examination of novel findings in chemistry and biomedical applications of epidrugs.

Main Results:

  • Histone acetylation and DNA methylation are strongly associated with human cancer pathology.
  • Inhibitors for enzymes involved in histone acetylation and DNA methylation are available for clinical use.
  • Histone methyltransferases are emerging as significant therapeutic targets due to their role in cancer pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting epigenetic modifications represents a promising avenue for novel cancer treatments.
  • Epidrugs offer a potential strategy to reverse aberrant epigenetic changes in cancer.
  • Further research into histone methyltransferases could lead to new targeted cancer therapies.

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