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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
Drugging Chromatin in Cancer: Recent Advances and Novel Approaches
Sheng F Cai1, Chun-Wei Chen1, Scott A Armstrong1
1Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Abstract:
Chromatin regulatory mechanisms play a major role in the control of gene expression programs during normal development and are disrupted in specific disease states, particularly in cancer. Important mediators of chromatin regulatory processes can broadly be classified into writers, erasers, and readers of covalent chromatin modifications that modulate eukaryotic gene transcription and maintain the integrity of the genome. The reversibility and disease-specific nature of these chromatin states make these regulators attractive therapeutic targets. As such, there is an ever-increasing number of candidate therapies aimed at targeting cancer-associated chromatin states that are in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. In this review, we discuss recent advances that have been made in the rational therapeutic targeting of chromatin regulatory mechanisms and highlight certain cancers where there is a specific rationale to assess these therapeutic approaches.
Insights
Chromatin regulators control gene expression and are key in cancer. Targeting these "writers," "erasers," and "readers" offers promising new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Chromatin regulatory mechanisms are crucial for gene expression during development.
- Dysregulation of these mechanisms is implicated in various diseases, especially cancer.
- Key players include "writers," "erasers," and "readers" of chromatin modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in therapeutically targeting chromatin regulatory mechanisms.
- To highlight specific cancers where targeting chromatin states is rational.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting cancer-associated chromatin states.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent preclinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of the role of chromatin regulators in cancer.
- Identification of therapeutic strategies targeting chromatin modification pathways.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in developing therapies targeting chromatin regulators.
- Cancer-associated chromatin states present specific therapeutic opportunities.
- Numerous candidate therapies are in various stages of development.
Conclusions:
- Targeting chromatin regulatory mechanisms is a rapidly advancing field in cancer therapy.
- The reversibility and disease-specific nature of chromatin states make them attractive targets.
- Further research and clinical assessment are warranted for these novel therapeutic approaches.
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