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Updated: May 22, 2026

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An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
[Epigenomic markers for tumors].
1Genome Science Division, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 25, 2012
Summary
Epigenomic aberrations are crucial in cancer development. Epigenotyping tumors using DNA methylation analysis can classify cancers and inform risk assessment and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Context:
- Epigenomic aberrations are fundamental to tumorigenesis, influencing both cancer initiation and progression.
- Epigenetic markers offer potential for assessing tumor risk and classifying tumors based on etiology, prognosis, or therapy response.
- Loss of imprinting of Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) is an example of an epigenetic aberration present in normal tissues that impacts tumor risk and may be a therapeutic target.
Purpose:
- To explore the utility of epigenomic profiling for tumor classification and risk assessment.
- To demonstrate the application of quantitative DNA methylation analysis for epigenotyping tumors.
- To investigate distinct molecular mechanisms in tumorigenesis through epigenotyping of gastric and colorectal cancers.
Summary:
- Quantitative DNA methylation analysis enables the epigenotyping of tumors via unsupervised hierarchical clustering.
- Gastric cancer epigenotyping correlates with etiology, such as Epstein-Barr virus infection.
- Colorectal cancer epigenotyping reveals associations with oncogene mutation statuses, indicating diverse molecular mechanisms in colorectal tumorigenesis.
Impact:
- Epigenotyping provides a novel method for classifying tumors based on their molecular profiles.
- This approach can enhance the determination of tumor risk in apparently normal individuals.
- Understanding epigenomic landscapes can lead to improved prognostic and therapeutic strategies in oncology.
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