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Harnessing Epigenetics for Breast Cancer Therapy: The Role of DNA Methylation, Histone Modifications, and MicroRNA

Joanna Szczepanek1, Monika Skorupa1,2, Joanna Jarkiewicz-Tretyn3

  • 1Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic drugs show promise for breast cancer treatment by reversing gene expression abnormalities. Combining these epigenetic therapies with conventional treatments offers a promising strategy for improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer is characterized by epigenetic abnormalities influencing gene expression and tumor progression.
  • Epigenetic alterations are crucial in cancer development, making epigenetic-targeting drugs potential therapeutic agents.
  • Current epigenetic monotherapy for breast cancer lacks effectiveness, necessitating combination strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of epigenetic abnormalities in breast cancer.
  • To explore the potential of epigenetic-targeting drugs in breast cancer therapy.
  • To evaluate combination strategies involving epigenetic drugs and conventional treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epigenetic alterations in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of epigenetic-targeting drugs, including DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone-modifying enzymes, and mRNA regulators.
  • Examination of studies combining epigenetic drugs with chemotherapy or other conventional therapies.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic drugs like DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (e.g., azacitidine) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., vorinostat) show efficacy when combined with chemotherapy.
  • MicroRNA (miRNA) mimics (e.g., miR-34) can inhibit tumor growth, while antagomiRs (e.g., anti-miR-10b) can suppress metastasis.
  • Combination therapies have demonstrated positive outcomes in breast cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic drugs hold significant promise for breast cancer treatment, particularly in combination regimens.
  • Targeting specific epigenetic changes with novel epi-drugs may lead to more effective monotherapies in the future.
  • Combination of epigenetic drugs with conventional therapies represents a viable and promising strategy for breast cancer management.
Keywords:
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi)antagomiRsbiomarkerschemoresistanceepigenetic targetshistone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi)mimic RNA

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