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Updated: Oct 1, 2025

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
Cancer epigenetics: promises and pitfalls for cancer therapy
Eleni Skourti1, Paraminder Dhillon1
1The FEBS Journal Editorial Office, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
Over the past few decades, epigenetic regulators have emerged as major players in cellular processes that drive cancer initiation and progression, and subsequently modulate the responsiveness of cancers to therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of The FEBS Journal, Cancer Epigenetics, features an exciting collection of review articles that focus on the functions of a broad spectrum of epigenetic modulators in cancer. The diverse topics explored herein range from the roles of transposable elements and chromatin architecture in cancer and the most recent research advances on cancer-associated histone variants (oncohistones), to the effects of altered epigenetics on transcription and advanced cancer cell phenotypes. Moreover, the prospective key function of cancer metabolism in linking epigenetics and transcriptional regulation, and the potential of epigenetics for targeted cancer therapeutics is discussed. We hope that this collection of articles will give readers an enlightening overview of the most recent advances in the fast-moving field of cancer epigenetics.
Insights
Epigenetic regulators are key in cancer development and treatment response. This collection explores their diverse roles, from chromatin to metabolism, offering insights into targeted cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epigenetic regulators significantly influence cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response.
- This Special Issue compiles reviews on diverse epigenetic modulators in cancer.
Discussion:
- Topics include transposable elements, chromatin architecture, and oncohistones.
- Altered epigenetics impact transcription and advanced cancer cell phenotypes.
- The interplay between cancer metabolism, epigenetics, and transcription is examined.
Key Insights:
- Epigenetic alterations are central to cancer biology.
- Oncohistones represent a critical area of cancer-associated epigenetic research.
- Cancer metabolism links epigenetic changes to transcriptional dysregulation.
Outlook:
- Epigenetics holds significant promise for developing targeted cancer therapeutics.
- Understanding these mechanisms can lead to novel treatment strategies.
- This collection provides an overview of recent advances in cancer epigenetics.
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