Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
21:24
Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation
Published on: January 2, 2009
24.3K
Epigenetics in cancer: Fundamentals and Beyond
Subhankar Biswas1, C Mallikarjuna Rao1
1Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|February 12, 2017
Summary
Epigenetics, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, plays a crucial role in cancer development. Emerging epigenetic drugs offer new targeted cancer therapy strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Carcinogenesis is traditionally linked to oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene deactivation.
- Recent research highlights the significant role of epigenetics in cancer development over the past 15 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elaborate on the fundamental epigenetic phenomena regulating tumorigenesis.
- To discuss alterations in epigenetic regulators associated with cancer development.
- To highlight recent advancements in epigenetic drugs for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of epigenetic mechanisms such as nucleosome remodeling, histone modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNA-mediated gene targeting.
- Analysis of mutations in genes controlling epigenetic players.
- Compilation of preclinical and clinical data on epigenetic drugs.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic modifications are integral to biochemical pathways essential for tumorigenesis.
- Mutations in epigenetic regulators further solidify the link between epigenetics and cancer.
- Epigenetic drugs represent a promising frontier in targeted anti-cancer drug development.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic mechanisms are fundamental to cancer development and progression.
- Targeted epigenetic therapies are emerging as a significant area of cancer research and drug development.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
4.0K
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...
X-chromosome...
4.0K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
34.1K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
34.1K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
10.0K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
10.0K
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
11.7K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
11.7K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
7.2K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
7.2K
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
8.2K
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...
8.2K