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Modulating epigenetic modifications for cancer therapy (Review)

Leonardo Josué Castro-Muñoz1, Elenaé Vázquez Ulloa2, Cecilia Sahlgren2

  • 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Oncology Reports
|February 17, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic drugs offer a promising avenue for cancer treatment by reversing epigenetic alterations and drug resistance. These therapies target DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, showing potential in clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics and Epigenetics

Background:

  • Epigenetic alterations are early events in cancer development and progression.
  • Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic changes are reversible, offering therapeutic opportunities.
  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key epigenetic regulators implicated in carcinogenesis.

Approach:

  • This review details central epigenetic aberrations in cancer.
  • It explains how epigenetic drugs (epidrugs) target DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNAs.
  • Clinical trials evaluating epidrugs, alone or combined with other therapies, are discussed.

Key Points:

  • Epigenetic drugs are promising targeted therapies and coadjuvants to overcome cancer drug resistance.
  • Epidrugs modulate DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNA activity.
  • ncRNAs play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation and cancer development.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic drugs represent a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Targeting epigenetic mechanisms, including ncRNAs, can reverse drug resistance in cancer patients.
  • Further clinical evaluation of epidrugs and ncRNA-based therapies is warranted.
Keywords:
cancerepigenetic drugsepigenetic mechanismsnon‑coding RNAtherapy

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