Clinical advances in targeting epigenetics for cancer therapy

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Shengrui Feng1,2, Daniel D De Carvalho1,2

  • 1Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.

The FEBS Journal
|February 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic regulators control gene expression and cell identity. Epigenetic drugs offer cancer treatment potential by targeting reversible epigenetic alterations, with ongoing clinical trials exploring combination therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Epigenetic regulators are crucial for gene expression and cell identity.
  • Cancer involves genetic and epigenetic alterations, offering therapeutic vulnerabilities.
  • Epigenetic dysregulation is reversible, presenting opportunities for drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic drugs in clinical investigation for cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the potential and challenges of epigenetic therapies.
  • To discuss combination therapies involving epigenetic drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epigenetic drugs in clinical trials.
  • Analysis of preclinical and clinical data for combination therapies.
  • Synthesis of current research on epigenetic regulators in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Numerous epigenetic drugs are under clinical investigation.
  • Combination therapies show promise when integrating epigenetic drugs with other treatments.
  • Challenges remain in optimizing epigenetic drug efficacy and delivery.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic drugs represent a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer.
  • Combination strategies are key to overcoming resistance and enhancing treatment outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of epigenetic therapies in oncology.
Keywords:
DNA methylationcancer therapyepigenetic therapyhistone modification

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