Epigenetic targeting in pancreatic cancer

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Jasmijn G M van Kampen1, Monica A J Marijnissen-van Zanten2, Femke Simmer2

  • 1Department of Pathology 824, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Urology 267, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Cancer Treatment Reviews
|January 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, necessitating novel treatments. This review explores epigenetic drugs targeting histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA for pancreatic cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pancreatic cancer exhibits a dismal prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate below 6%, highlighting the critical need for innovative therapeutic strategies.
  • Epigenetic alterations, including changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA expression, are increasingly recognized as significant drivers of pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This review synthesizes current research on epigenetic mechanisms in pancreatic cancer.
  • The primary focus is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting epigenetic modifications for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating epigenetic alterations in pancreatic cancer.
  • Analysis of preclinical and clinical data on epigenetic drugs, including those affecting histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic deregulation is a key factor in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer.
  • Drugs targeting epigenetic mechanisms show promise as a new class of therapeutic agents for pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting epigenetic modifications represents a promising avenue for developing novel treatments for pancreatic cancer.
  • Further research and clinical trials are warranted to fully realize the potential of epigenetic therapies in improving patient outcomes for pancreatic cancer.
Keywords:
DNA methyltransferase inhibitorEpigeneticsHistone deacetylase inhibitorHistone methyltransferase inhibitorMicroRNAPancreatic cancerTherapy

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