Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
07:48

Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures

Published on: December 26, 2016

11.5K

Novel epigenetic therapeutic strategies and targets in cancer

Quratulain Babar1, Ayesha Saeed1, Tanveer A Tabish2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Basis of Disease
|September 20, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Dysregulated epigenetic pathways are crucial in cancer development and therapy. Targeting these reversible processes, including DNA methylation and histone modification, offers new cancer treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Epigenetic pathways, including RNA interference, histone modification, DNA methylation, and chromatin remodeling, regulate gene expression without altering DNA sequence.
  • Epigenetic abnormalities are implicated in cancer genesis, progression, tumor growth, and drug resistance.
  • The reversible nature of epigenetic processes presents a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of advancements in targeting epigenetic pathways for cancer therapy.
  • To highlight novel strategies for addressing epigenetic dysregulation in cancer, including immuno-oncological applications.
  • To emphasize the interdisciplinary approach integrating microbiology, plasma science, biophysics, pharmacology, molecular biology, phytochemistry, and nanoscience.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature and recent advancements in epigenetic research.
  • Analysis of novel therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic mechanisms in cancer.
  • Exploration of interdisciplinary applications in epigenetic cancer therapy.

Main Results:

  • Next-generation sequencing innovations have elucidated the critical role of epigenetic pathways in cancer.
  • Numerous novel therapeutic strategies, from basic treatments to epigenetic editing, are emerging for cancer therapy.
  • The review covers advancements across various scientific disciplines, showcasing a multidisciplinary approach.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting epigenetic pathways represents a significant and evolving frontier in cancer therapy.
  • The reversible nature of epigenetic modifications offers unique opportunities for developing effective cancer treatments.
  • Interdisciplinary research is key to unlocking the full potential of epigenetic therapies for various cancers.
Keywords:
EpigeneticsNanomedicinesTherapeutic targetscancer

More Related Videos

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

6.5K
Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

7.4K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.1K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.6K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.0K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.9K