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Cellular reprogramming to model and study epigenetic alterations in cancer

Jungsun Kim1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute (Cancer Biology Research Program), Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, KCRB 5001.51, 2720 SW Moody Ave., Portland, OR 97201, United States.

Stem Cell Research
|November 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cancer progression involves non-genetic changes, like faulty gene regulation. Cellular reprogramming offers a way to study these epigenetic alterations in cancer, despite current limitations.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Reprogramming

Background:

  • Cancer development requires genetic mutations but also relies on reversible non-genetic alterations.
  • Dysregulation of gene expression through chromatin states and master transcription factors contributes to cancer etiology.
  • Cellular reprogramming is a powerful tool for modeling cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history and recent advances in reprogramming cancer cells.
  • To explore lessons from normal cell reprogramming applicable to cancer research.
  • To discuss the role of cellular reprogramming in studying epigenetic alterations in tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical and recent literature on cancer cell reprogramming.
  • Analysis of insights from normal cell reprogramming for cancer applications.
  • Discussion of current limitations and future strategies for cancer cell reprogramming.

Main Results:

  • Cellular reprogramming provides a model to study cancer progression driven by non-genetic factors.
  • Understanding epigenetic alterations in cancer can be advanced through reprogramming techniques.
  • Current reprogramming methods face limitations that need to be addressed for effective cancer research.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular reprogramming is crucial for investigating the epigenetic basis of cancer.
  • Overcoming obstacles in cancer cell reprogramming will enhance our understanding of tumorigenesis.
  • Future research should focus on refining reprogramming strategies to study cancer's non-genetic drivers.

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