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Targeting the epigenome for treatment of cancer

E-J Geutjes1, P K Bajpe, R Bernards

  • 1Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Centre for Biomedical Genetics and Cancer Genomics Centre, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Oncogene
|December 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Enzymes regulating cell epigenetics are often altered in cancer. Targeting these epigenetic regulators offers a new strategy for developing selective cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer genome studies reveal frequent deregulation of epigenetic gene regulation enzymes.
  • Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in cellular function and are often dysregulated in cancerous cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe enzymes controlling the cell's epigenetic state.
  • To explain how these enzymes are affected in cancer.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting these enzymes in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of cancer genome analyses.
  • Description of epigenetic regulatory enzymes.
  • Analysis of enzyme alterations in cancer.
  • Exploration of targeted therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic regulatory enzymes are frequently deregulated in various cancers.
  • Understanding these deregulations provides insights into cancer development.
  • Targeting specific epigenetic enzymes can lead to novel cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic deregulation is a hallmark of cancer.
  • Selective therapies targeting epigenetic enzymes represent a promising new approach to cancer treatment.

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