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Updated: May 19, 2026
An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
Molecular pathways: the complexity of the epigenome in cancer and recent clinical advances
Mariarosaria Conte1, Lucia Altucci
1Dipartimento di Patologia Generale, Seconda Università di Napoli, Vico L. De Crecchio, Napoli, Italy.
Abstract:
Human cancer is causally linked to genomic and epigenomic deregulations. Epigenetic abnormalities occurring within signaling pathways regulating proliferation, migration, growth, differentiation, transcription, and death signals may be critical in the progression of malignancies. Consequently, identification of epigenetic marks and their bioimplications in tumors represents a crucial step toward defining new therapeutic strategies both in cancer treatment and prevention. Alterations of writers, readers, and erasers in cancer may affect, for example, the methylation and acetylation state of huge areas of chromatin, suggesting that epi-based treatments may require "distinct" therapeutic strategies compared with "canonical" targeted treatments. Whereas anticancer treatments targeting histone deacetylase and DNA methylation have entered the clinic, additional chromatin modification enzymes have not yet been pharmacologically targeted for clinical use in patients. Thus, a greater insight into alterations occurring on chromatin modifiers and their impact in tumorigenesis represents a crucial advancement in exploiting epigenetic targeting in cancer prevention and treatment. Here, the interplay of the best known epi-mutations and how their targeting might be optimized are addressed.
Insights
Epigenetic alterations drive human cancer by disrupting key cellular processes. Targeting these epigenetic changes offers novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment and prevention.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Human cancers are linked to genomic and epigenomic dysregulation.
- Epigenetic abnormalities in signaling pathways are critical for cancer progression.
- Identifying epigenetic marks in tumors is key for new therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the interplay of known epigenetic mutations in cancer.
- To optimize targeting strategies for epigenetic modifications.
- To advance the exploitation of epigenetic targeting in cancer prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of existing literature on epigenetic alterations in cancer.
- Discussion of the roles of chromatin modifiers (writers, readers, erasers).
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies targeting DNA methylation and histone acetylation.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic deregulation significantly impacts cancer development and progression.
- Alterations in chromatin modifiers are crucial in tumorigenesis.
- Current epigenetic therapies target DNA methylation and histone deacetylases, but further targets exist.
Conclusions:
- Understanding epigenetic modifier alterations is vital for cancer therapy.
- Epigenetic-based treatments may require distinct strategies from conventional targeted therapies.
- Further research into novel epigenetic targets is crucial for effective cancer treatment and prevention.
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