Towards incorporating epigenetic mechanisms into carcinogen identification and evaluation

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics and epigenomics
• Carcinogen identification and safety assessment
• Cancer etiology

Background:

• Epigenetic phenomena are increasingly recognized in common human diseases, particularly cancer.
• Advances in epigenetics offer opportunities for integrating epigenomics into carcinogen identification.
• Epigenetic data is crucial for assessing carcinogen exposure against normal epigenome variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review the current use of epigenetics in International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs.
• Discuss potential mechanisms of epigenetic carcinogens.
• Explore technologies for detecting epigenetic carcinogens.
• Address technological and biological challenges in assessing epigenetic carcinogens.

Main Methods:

• Review of IARC Monographs Volume 100 for epigenetic data inclusion.
• Analysis of current in vivo and in vitro technologies for epigenetic carcinogen detection.
• Discussion of genomic regions, epigenetic modifications, and their consequences.
• Examination of technological and biological issues in epigenetic carcinogen assessment.

Main Results:

• Epigenetics has played a modest role in IARC carcinogen evaluation to date.
• Epigenetic events are key mechanisms in cancer development.
• Significant data and resources are being generated for future epigenetic testing applications.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic testing for carcinogen identification is still developing but shows great potential.
• Epigenetic data is expected to play a pivotal role in future carcinogen evaluation.
• Ongoing research and resource development will catalyze the application of epigenetic assays.