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Targeting the Epigenome as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Breast Cancer

Sumin Oh1, Je Yeong Ko1, Chaeun Oh1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04310, South Korea.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 29, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Breast cancer involves environmental factors and epigenetic changes like DNA methylation and histone modification. Reversible epigenetic alterations offer therapeutic targets using drugs like DNMT and HDAC inhibitors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer arises from complex genetic and epigenetic alterations.
  • Epigenetic dysregulation, including DNA methylation and histone modification, impacts genes controlling cell growth and death.
  • Tumor suppressor genes are often hypermethylated in breast cancer, leading to transcriptional repression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize epigenetic markers in breast cancer cells.
  • To review the therapeutic effects of epigenetic modification drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating DNA methylation patterns mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs).
  • Analyzing histone deacetylases (HDACs) role in transcriptional repression.
  • Evaluating epigenetic reagents targeting DNMTs and HDACs.

Main Results:

  • DNA methylation by DNMTs represses gene transcription, affecting genes like CCND2 and RUNX3.
  • HDACs contribute to tumorigenesis by removing acetyl groups from lysine residues.
  • Epigenetic changes are reversible, making them viable therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications are key drivers in breast cancer development.
  • Epigenetic drugs, including DNMT and HDAC inhibitors, show promise for breast cancer therapy.
  • Combination therapies involving epigenetic reagents warrant further investigation.
Keywords:
Breast cancerDNMT inhibitorsEpigenetic regulationHDAC inhibitorsTherapeutic targets

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