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Enhancer in cancer pathogenesis and treatment
Zhuo Sun1,2, Jinbo Fan1, Yixiong Dang3
1Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Weiyang District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Genetics and Molecular Biology
|August 7, 2023
Summary
Super enhancers (SEs) play a critical role in cell identity and cancer progression. Targeting SEs with epigenetic drugs like BET and CDK inhibitors offers promising cancer treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Enhancers are cis-acting regulatory elements crucial for cell identity and tumor progression.
- Enhancer function relies on physical interactions within the chromatin environment.
- Enhancer reprogramming, driven by cis and trans factors, is key in cancer pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the role of super enhancers (SEs) in cancer.
- To highlight novel therapies targeting SEs, including epigenetic regulators.
- To underscore the importance of understanding SE mechanisms for clinical success.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on enhancers and cancer.
- Focus on super enhancers (SEs) in oncogenes.
- Analysis of therapeutic strategies involving BET inhibitors (BETi) and CDK inhibitors (CDKi).
Main Results:
- Super enhancers are frequently acquired at oncogenes in various cancers.
- BET inhibitors and CDK inhibitors target enhancer function, showing therapeutic promise.
- Genome editing presents another avenue for enhancer reprogramming in cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- SEs are pivotal in cancer pathogenesis.
- Epigenetic regulators like BETi and CDKi offer viable therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding SE activity mechanisms is crucial for advancing anti-cancer treatments.
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