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Cancer epigenetics in clinical practice
Veronica Davalos1, Manel Esteller1,2,3,4
1Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Catalonia, Spain.
CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians
|December 13, 2022
Summary
Epigenetic alterations, unlike genetic changes, drive cancer progression and metastasis. This review covers advanced clinical applications of epigenetic biomarkers and drugs, including FDA-approved therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Cancer development involves genetic and epigenetic alterations impacting genome structure and function.
- Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone marks, regulate gene expression driving tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis.
- Epigenetic changes are reversible, offering therapeutic potential distinct from irreversible genetic mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical applications of epigenetic biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment selection.
- To summarize the current landscape of epigenetic drugs in clinical settings.
- To highlight FDA-approved epigenetic drugs and commercially available DNA methylation assays.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of advanced clinical applications of epigenetic biomarkers.
- Summary of epigenetic drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Identification of commercially available DNA methylation-based diagnostic assays.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic biomarkers are valuable tools for clinical decision-making in oncology.
- Several epigenetic drugs have been approved by the FDA, targeting cancer-driving epigenetic machinery.
- Commercial DNA methylation assays are available for clinical use.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications play a critical role in cancer development and progression.
- The reversibility of epigenetic alterations makes them promising therapeutic targets.
- Epigenetic biomarkers and drugs represent significant advancements in clinical oncology.
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