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Therapeutic Implications of Epigenetic Signaling in Breast Cancer

Tae Gyu Oh1, Shu-Ching M Wang1, George E O Muscat1

  • 1Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

Endocrinology
|December 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Aberrant epigenetic signaling drives breast cancer heterogeneity. Targeting epigenetic enzymes like DNA methyltransferases and histone modifiers offers promising therapeutic strategies for diverse breast cancer subtypes and treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a complex, heterogeneous disease with diverse subtypes.
  • Aberrant epigenetic signaling and control are linked to breast cancer development and metastasis.
  • Current treatments struggle to address all breast cancer subtypes effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review major epigenetic enzymes controlling chromatin in breast cancer.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting these enzymes.
  • To present new analyses of epigenetic factors in clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epigenetic enzymes in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of therapeutic drugs targeting epigenetic enzymes.
  • Clinical and survival outcome analysis of epigenetic factors.

Main Results:

  • Identified key epigenetic enzymes: DNA methyltransferases, lysine methyltransferases/demethylases, protein arginine methyltransferases, histone acetyltransferases/deacetylases.
  • Emerging and clinical trial-stage drugs target these epigenetic enzymes.
  • New analyses provide insights into epigenetic factors impacting survival.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic dysregulation is central to breast cancer complexity.
  • Pharmacological targeting of epigenetic enzymes is a rapidly developing therapeutic avenue.
  • Exploiting epigenetic regulation is crucial for next-generation breast cancer therapies, especially for advanced and resistant disease.

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