Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 17, 2025

In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing
10:44

In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing

Published on: May 5, 2023

1.7K

Novel Approaches to Epigenetic Therapies: From Drug Combinations to Epigenetic Editing

Aleksandra Majchrzak-Celińska1, Anna Warych1, Mikołaj Szoszkiewicz1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznań, Poland.

Genes
|February 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic drugs offer reversible cancer treatment strategies. Novel approaches, including drug combinations and epigenome editing, aim to overcome resistance and enhance efficacy for improved cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer arises from genetic and epigenetic changes.
  • Epigenetic modifications are reversible, presenting therapeutic opportunities.
  • Current epigenetic drugs face challenges like resistance and limited therapeutic scope.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging epigenetic drug strategies for cancer treatment.
  • To highlight advancements in overcoming limitations of traditional epigenetic therapies.
  • To explore novel approaches for enhanced cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of next-generation epigenetic drugs with improved pharmacokinetic properties.
  • Analysis of combination therapies: epigenetic drugs with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
  • Exploration of targeting metabolic pathways driving epigenetic alterations.
  • Discussion of epigenome editing for precise chromatin modification.

Main Results:

  • Next-generation epigenetic drugs show promise for better bioavailability and half-life.
  • Combination therapies (epigenetic + chemotherapy/immunotherapy) demonstrate synergistic effects and enhanced antitumor responses.
  • Targeting metabolic pathways offers a new avenue for epigenetic intervention.
  • Epigenome editing provides high specificity for chromatin mark modification.

Conclusions:

  • Novel epigenetic therapies, including combinations and epigenome editing, are advancing cancer treatment.
  • These strategies aim to enhance efficacy, overcome resistance, and broaden therapeutic applications.
  • Targeting metabolic causes and precise epigenome editing represent significant progress in epigenetic drug development.
Keywords:
CRISPR/Cas9DNMT inhibitorsHDAC inhibitorsdrug combinationsepigenetic editingepigenetic therapymultitargeting drugsoncometabolites

More Related Videos

CRISPR Epigenome Editing in Human Cells using Plasmid DNA Transfection and mRNA Nucleofection Delivery07:49

CRISPR Epigenome Editing in Human Cells using Plasmid DNA Transfection and mRNA Nucleofection Delivery

Published on: May 30, 2025

1.8K
Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models13:47

Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models

Published on: March 29, 2019

10.0K

Related Concept Videos

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.
32.1K
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
CRISPR01:59

CRISPR

Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced...
54.8K
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for...
2.0K
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
663