Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

6.7K

Targeting epigenetic regulatory machinery to overcome cancer therapy resistance

Lei Guo1, Yi-Tsang Lee2, Yubin Zhou3

  • 1Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|January 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic reprogramming drives cancer drug resistance by creating persistent cells. Targeting these epigenetic changes offers a new strategy to improve cancer treatment outcomes and overcome resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Drug resistance is a significant challenge in cancer therapy.
  • Epigenetic alterations, not just genetic mutations, contribute to acquired or intrinsic drug resistance.
  • Epigenetic reprogramming drives tumor cell plasticity, leading to drug-tolerant persister cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest discoveries in the mechanisms of epigenetically-induced drug resistance.
  • To discuss the potential of epigenetic therapies in overcoming cancer drug resistance.
  • To highlight the role of epigenetic reprogramming and plasticity in cancer treatment failure.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on epigenetics and cancer drug resistance.
  • Analysis of studies investigating epigenetic modulators and chromatin remodeling in cancer cells.
  • Examination of preclinical and clinical data on epigenetic drugs and combination therapies.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic reprogramming alters gene expression and chromatin structure, promoting a persistent, drug-tolerant state in cancer cells.
  • These epigenetic changes enable tumor cells to evade current therapies and lead to treatment failure.
  • Emerging epigenetic drugs show promise in preclinical and clinical settings for overcoming resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting epigenetic reprogramming and plasticity is a promising strategy to prevent drug resistance.
  • Combination therapies involving epigenetic drugs and existing anticancer agents may enhance treatment efficacy.
  • Further research into epigenetic mechanisms is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
3D chromatin organizationCancerDNA methylationDrug resistanceEpigenetic reprogrammingEpigenomeHistone modifications

More Related Videos

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

10.7K
In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing10:44

In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing

Published on: May 5, 2023

1.7K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

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...
8.1K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

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...
3.5K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.4K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
32.5K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

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...
5.6K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

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...
7.4K