Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

7.0K

Exploiting the Epigenome to Control Cancer-Promoting Gene-Expression Programs

Gerard L Brien1, Daria G Valerio1, Scott A Armstrong2

  • 1The Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Cancer Cell
|April 13, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The cancer epigenome influences gene activity and drives cancer development. Reversible epigenetic changes offer promising therapeutic targets for new cancer drugs currently in clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The epigenome regulates gene expression and is crucial for cellular function.
  • Epigenetic alterations are hallmarks of cancer development and progression.
  • The reversibility of epigenetic changes presents therapeutic opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the role of the cancer epigenome in disease pathogenesis.
  • To highlight the impact of epigenetic understanding on cancer drug development.
  • To identify future therapeutic potential within the cancer epigenome.

Main Methods:

  • This perspective synthesizes current research on the cancer epigenome.
  • It reviews insights from epigenetic studies into cancer mechanisms.
  • It discusses the development of epigenetic-targeting therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic dysregulation is fundamental to cancer pathogenesis.
  • Understanding the cancer epigenome informs novel drug discovery strategies.
  • Targeting epigenetic mechanisms is a rapidly advancing area in oncology.

Conclusions:

  • The cancer epigenome is a critical area for understanding disease.
  • Epigenetic therapies hold significant promise for cancer treatment.
  • Further research can unlock greater therapeutic potential from the epigenome.
Keywords:
Cancerchromatinepigenomehistone modificationtargeted therapy

More Related Videos

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

10.9K
In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing10:44

In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing

Published on: May 5, 2023

2.1K

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
4.1K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
34.2K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

26.2K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
6.1K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.4K
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
38.6K