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Updated: Oct 4, 2025
09:37
A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
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Shared genetic and epigenetic changes link aging and cancer.
Daniel J Zabransky1, Elizabeth M Jaffee1, Ashani T Weeraratna2
1Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Trends in Cell Biology
|February 11, 2022
Summary
Aging accelerates cancer risk by causing genetic and epigenetic changes in cells. This review explores how these age-related alterations impact cancer development and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Aging is a universal biological process linked to increased disease risk, notably cancer.
- Both aged and cancerous cells exhibit similar genomic and epigenomic alterations.
- These alterations are driven by shared underlying mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review genetic and epigenetic changes in normal aging.
- To examine the role of these changes in cancer development and progression.
- To discuss the implications for cancer treatment in aging patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of genetic and epigenetic alterations in aging and cancer.
- Analysis of mechanisms driving age-related molecular changes.
- Examination of the aging tumor microenvironment's influence.
Main Results:
- Normal aging involves specific genetic and epigenetic modifications.
- These age-related changes contribute to malignant transformation and cancer progression.
- The tumor microenvironment in aged individuals presents unique characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Age-related genetic and epigenetic alterations are crucial in cancer.
- Understanding these changes can inform novel cancer treatment approaches.
- Targeting age-related pathways may improve cancer therapy outcomes.
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