Role of epigenetics in carcinogenesis: Recent advancements in anticancer therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer etiology and progression.
• These epigenetic alterations influence gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence, contributing to various cancer subtypes.
• Non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs, also act as significant epigenetic regulators in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in understanding the epigenetic landscape of cancer.
• To highlight the potential of epigenetic modifications as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapeutic development.
• To explore novel approaches targeting epigenetic alterations for personalized cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on epigenetics in cancer progression.
• Analysis of transcriptome data to identify epigenetic markers.
• Examination of in-vitro genome targeting technologies and inhibitor studies.

Main Results:

• Epigenetic changes, including hyper/hypomethylation, are associated with cancer diagnosis and therapeutic response.
• Specific epigenetic markers and their inhibitors have shown potential in preclinical cancer studies.
• Advancements in technologies facilitate the exploration of epigenetic targets for cancer management.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic modifications are critical drivers of cancer progression and hold significant potential as therapeutic targets.
• Targeting epigenetic landscapes with novel approaches may lead to personalized cancer treatment modalities.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and therapeutic applications of epigenetics in cancer.