Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...

Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.

Cancer Therapies

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

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...

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Prognostic impact of somatic mutations among patients with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.

NPJ precision oncology·2026

Same author

Identifying Novel Estrogenic Mitochondrial Targets in Hypothalamic Proopiomelanocortin Neurons by Chemoproteomics.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Murine Liver Reveals an Aligned Circadian Clock and Cell-Population-Specific Circadian-Regulated Pathways.

Journal of biological rhythms·2026

Same author

ASO Visual Abstract: Peritoneal Metastases in Stage II-III Colon Cancer Represent a Blind Spot for Circulating Tumor DNA Surveillance.

Annals of surgical oncology·2026

Same author

Peritoneal Metastases in Stage II-III Colon Cancer Represent a Blind Spot for Circulating Tumor DNA Surveillance.

Annals of surgical oncology·2026

Same author

The <i>DNAJB1-PRKACA</i> Oncogenic Fusion Drives Stepwise Biliary and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis from Intraductal Precursor Lesions.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

Epigenetic therapy and chemosensitization in solid malignancy.

Sean M Ronnekleiv-Kelly¹, Anup Sharma¹, Nita Ahuja¹

¹Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Cancer Treatment Reviews

|April 22, 2017

Summary

Epigenetic therapy reprograms cancer cells and shows promise when combined with other treatments. This approach offers durable responses in specific cancers, paving the way for future clinical trials.

Keywords:

Cancer Chemosensitization Epigenetic therapy Epigenetics Solid tumors

More Related Videos

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Area of Science:

Oncology
Epigenetics
Pharmacology

Background:

Epigenetic modifications dynamically regulate gene expression, leading to active or suppressed transcriptional states.
The reversible nature of epigenetic changes forms the basis for epigenetic therapy, aiming to reprogram cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the clinical potential and applications of epigenetic therapies in cancer treatment.
To highlight the benefits of combining epigenetic therapy with conventional cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapies.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical investigations and trials evaluating epigenetic therapies.
Analysis of combination therapy efficacy in various cancers, including NSCLC, ovarian, and breast cancer.
Identification of patient subsets with durable responses to epigenetic therapy in solid tumors.

Main Results:

Currently, only histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors are approved for hematologic malignancies.
Combination epigenetic therapy demonstrates chemosensitization, enhancing the efficacy of standard treatments.
Specific patient subsets, particularly in NSCLC with hypermethylation, show durable responses to epigenetic therapy.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic therapy offers a promising strategy for cancer treatment, distinct from traditional cytotoxic approaches.
Combination therapy utilizing epigenetic agents shows significant benefit and warrants further investigation in ongoing trials.
Identifying specific biomarkers and patient subsets can optimize the application of epigenetic therapies for durable responses.