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Alcohol-Induced Epigenetic Changes in Cancer
1Kelly Government Solutions, Bethesda, MD, USA. dumiragi30@yahoo.com.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 5, 2018
Summary
Heavy alcohol consumption impairs one-carbon metabolism, causing epigenetic changes like altered DNA methylation and histone modifications that increase cancer risk. Targeting these alcohol-induced epigenetic changes offers potential for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and precision medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Chronic, heavy alcohol consumption is linked to increased cancer risk.
- Alcohol toxicity disrupts one-carbon metabolism, a critical pathway for cellular processes.
- This disruption leads to epigenetic alterations that promote cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which alcohol consumption induces epigenetic changes relevant to cancer.
- To identify potential epigenetic biomarkers for alcohol-related cancers.
- To explore therapeutic strategies targeting alcohol-induced epigenetic modifications.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of one-carbon metabolism pathways affected by alcohol.
- Investigation of epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation and histone modifications.
- Assessment of molecular changes such as homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, and glutathione levels.
- Evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and microRNA alterations.
- Examination of genetic variants influencing alcohol-induced epigenetic changes and cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Alcohol consumption leads to folate deficiency and altered ethanol metabolism, causing imbalances in key metabolites (e.g., elevated homocysteine, reduced S-adenosylmethionine).
- These metabolic shifts result in abnormal DNA methylation patterns (hypermethylation and global hypomethylation) and histone modifications.
- Reactive oxygen species and altered microRNA expression further contribute to carcinogenesis.
- Epigenetic changes in esophageal, hepatic, and colorectal cancers are detectable and may serve as biomarkers.
- Genetic variations can modulate the link between alcohol-induced epigenetic changes and cancer susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol-induced epigenetic alterations in one-carbon metabolism are significant drivers of cancer development.
- Epigenetic biomarkers hold promise for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of alcohol-related cancers.
- Targeting these alcohol-induced epigenetic changes represents a potential avenue for precision medicine in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
DNA methylationEthanol metabolismGenetic variantsHeavy alcohol consumptionHistone modificationsOne-carbon metabolismmiRNAsMore Related Videos
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