Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2025

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
09:45

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells

Published on: May 21, 2019

8.4K

Epigenetic regulation and therapeutic targets in the tumor microenvironment

Zhuojun Xie1, Zirui Zhou1, Shuxian Yang1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China.

Molecular Biomedicine
|June 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic modifications in the tumor microenvironment (TME) drive cancer progression and immune evasion. Targeting TME components with epigenetic drugs offers promising new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Immunology

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to cancer development, promoting proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
  • Epigenetic regulations (DNA/RNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNA) are key to tumor malignancy and immune evasion.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms influence immune cells within the TME, contributing to immunosuppression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic modifications in pivotal TME components (stroma, immune, myeloid cells) across various tumors.
  • To elucidate the correlation between TME reprogramming, tumor progression, and immunosuppression.
  • To summarize current advances in epigenetic-based cancer therapies and future strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on epigenetic mechanisms within the TME.
  • Analysis of recent studies (last five years) on epigenetic modifications in stromal, immune, and myeloid cells.
  • Synthesis of findings on the role of epigenetics in TME reprogramming and cancer progression.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic reprogramming of TME components is tightly linked to tumor progression and immune evasion.
  • Epigenetic drugs can modulate TME components, normalizing cell phenotypes, suppressing neovascularization, and reducing immunosuppression.
  • TME components are identified as promising targets for epigenetic drugs in clinical cancer management.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications significantly impact the TME, influencing tumor behavior and immune response.
  • Targeting the TME with epigenetic therapies holds potential for novel cancer treatment strategies.
  • Further research into specific epigenetic targets is needed to enhance antitumor immunity.
Keywords:
Epigenetic drugsEpigeneticsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsTumour microenvironment

More Related Videos

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells09:01

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

456
An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

10.5K

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.7K
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
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...
7.7K
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
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
575