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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
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Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer: Epigenetic Homeostasis

Xiaoyuan Yu1, Menglu Li2, Chunyan Guo1

  • 1Department of Oncology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|November 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetics is crucial in cancer, but current drugs lack lasting effects. Redefining epigenetics

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetics is increasingly recognized for its significant role in cancer development.
  • Current epigenetic drugs show limitations in achieving stable curative effects.
  • Embryonic development and tumor development share similarities in biological behavior and molecular patterns, suggesting epigenetics as a potential link.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce the importance of epigenetic homeostasis in cancer development.
  • To analyze the shortcomings of current epigenetic treatment regimens.
  • To propose a new perspective on cancer characterization and treatment by understanding epigenetic homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epigenetics, cancer development, and embryonic development.
  • Analysis of the similarities in biological behavior and molecular expression patterns between embryonic and tumor development.
  • Discussion on the concept of epigenetic homeostasis at the cellular level and its role in cell differentiation.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic homeostasis is vital for normal organ development and is disrupted in cancer.
  • Current epigenetic therapies are insufficient due to a lack of understanding of the dynamic nature of epigenetic regulation.
  • Cancer can be better understood and potentially treated by considering its differentiation stages linked to epigenetic homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding epigenetic homeostasis in organ development offers a new framework for cancer research.
  • This approach may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and improved treatment strategies for cancer.
  • Characterizing cancer based on differentiation stages influenced by epigenetic homeostasis can enhance clinical prognosis.
Keywords:
cancer heterogeneityepigeneticsoncobiologytherapeutic targettransdifferentiation

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