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Updated: Nov 5, 2025
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Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
Published on: March 17, 2016
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Epigenetic Regulation in Breast Cancer
1Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 13, 2021
Summary
Aberrant epigenetic alterations drive breast cancer. Epigenetic drugs show modest efficacy alone, necessitating combination therapies and further research into novel epigenetic targets for improved cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Aberrant epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are implicated in breast cancer development.
- Epigenetic enzymes, such as histone modifying enzymes and DNA methyltransferases, are potential therapeutic targets due to the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the role of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer development.
- To discuss strategies for controlling cancer phenotype by modulating epigenetic modifications.
- To suggest future research directions for epigenetic-based breast cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on epigenetic alterations in breast cancer.
- Analysis of the efficacy of epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs) in clinical studies.
- Discussion of combination therapy approaches and novel target identification.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic modifications are crucial in breast cancer pathogenesis.
- Current FDA-approved epi-drugs show limited anti-tumor activity as monotherapy for breast cancer.
- Combination therapies and identification of novel druggable epigenetic targets are under investigation to enhance efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modulation offers a promising avenue for breast cancer therapy.
- Improving epi-drug efficacy requires combination strategies and continued basic research to uncover new therapeutic targets.
- Further investigation into epigenetic mechanisms is essential for advancing breast cancer treatment.
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