Potential Epigenetic-Based Therapeutic Targets for Glioma
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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Glioma by Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin-Embedded 3D Glioma Neurosphere Cultures
Published on: January 9, 2019
Lanlan Zang1,2, Shukkoor Muhammed Kondengaden3, Fengyuan Che1,4
1Central Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Shandong University, Linyi, China.
Abstract:
Glioma is characterized by a high recurrence rate, short survival times, high rates of mortality and treatment difficulties. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (RT) are the standard treatments, but outcomes rarely improve even after treatment. With the advancement of molecular pathology, recent studies have found that the development of glioma is closely related to various epigenetic phenomena, including DNA methylation, abnormal microRNA (miRNA), chromatin remodeling and histone modifications. Owing to the reversibility of epigenetic modifications, the proteins and genes that regulate these changes have become new targets in the treatment of glioma. In this review, we present a summary of the potential therapeutic targets of glioma and related effective treating drugs from the four aspects mentioned above. We further illustrate how epigenetic mechanisms dynamically regulate the pathogenesis and discuss the challenges of glioma treatment. Currently, among the epigenetic treatments, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can be used for the treatment of tumors, either individually or in combination. In the treatment of glioma, only HDACIs remain a good option and they provide new directions for the treatment. Due to the complicated pathogenesis of glioma, epigenetic applications to glioma clinical treatment are still limited.
Insights
Glioma treatment remains challenging due to high recurrence. Epigenetic therapies, particularly histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), offer promising new directions for targeting glioma pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Pathology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Glioma presents significant challenges with high recurrence rates, poor survival, and limited treatment efficacy.
- Standard treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT) often yield suboptimal outcomes.
- Recent research highlights the critical role of epigenetic modifications in glioma development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review potential therapeutic targets in glioma based on epigenetic mechanisms.
- To summarize effective treatment strategies and drugs targeting epigenetic alterations.
- To discuss the dynamic regulation of glioma pathogenesis by epigenetics and associated challenges.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on glioma epigenetics.
- Analysis of epigenetic phenomena including DNA methylation, microRNA, chromatin remodeling, and histone modifications.
- Evaluation of epigenetic drugs like DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs).
Main Results:
- Epigenetic modifications are crucial in glioma development and offer reversible therapeutic targets.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) show promise as a viable treatment option for glioma.
- DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and HDACIs are used in cancer treatment, but HDACIs are more relevant for glioma.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic mechanisms are dynamically involved in glioma pathogenesis.
- HDACIs represent a promising therapeutic avenue for glioma, offering new treatment directions.
- Current clinical applications of epigenetic therapies in glioma are limited by the disease's complex nature.
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