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Epigenetics and cutaneous neoplasms: from mechanism to therapy

Frederick Gibson1, Ailish Hanly1, Robert Fisher1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.

Epigenomics
|April 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic modifications drive cancer progression and treatment resistance in skin cancers like melanoma. Targeting these epigenetic changes offers new therapeutic strategies for cutaneous malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Epigenetics involves heritable gene expression changes without DNA mutation.
  • Epigenetic dysregulation is key in cancer progression and therapy resistance.
  • Cutaneous malignancies share common epigenetic alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review epigenetic modifications in skin cancer progression.
  • Highlight epigenetic mechanisms in therapeutic resistance.
  • Discuss targeted epigenetic therapies for skin cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Analysis of DNA methylation, histone, and RNA modifications.
  • Focus on basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, T-cell lymphoma, and melanoma.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic alterations are crucial in common skin cancers.
  • These alterations contribute to tumor progression and treatment failure.
  • Specific epigenetic targets are identified for therapeutic intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications are central to cutaneous malignancy development.
  • Targeting epigenetic alterations presents promising therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research into epigenetic therapies is warranted for skin cancer treatment.
Keywords:
BCCCTCLDNA methylationcSCCepigeneticshistonemelanomancRNAskin cancer

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