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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
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Epigenetic inhibitors and their role in cancer therapy

Nouha Abdelaziz1, Lubna Therachiyil2, Hana Q Sadida3

  • 1Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
|September 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic modifications regulate gene function and are vital for health. Aberrant epigenetic changes drive diseases like cancer, but epigenetic inhibitors offer promising therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone alterations, are fundamental to cellular processes.
  • These modifications are heritable yet reversible, influencing gene expression without altering DNA sequence.
  • Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms is implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, notably cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse landscape of epigenetic modifications.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying epigenetic regulation.
  • To identify epigenetic modifications as targets for novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Analysis of the role of epigenetic alterations in disease development.
  • Examination of epigenetic inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic modifications encompass DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation.
  • Aberrant epigenetic alterations are key drivers in human diseases, particularly cancer.
  • Synthetic and dietary epigenetic inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in targeting abnormal epigenetic modifications in cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms are critical for normal biological function and disease development.
  • Targeting epigenetic modifications presents a promising avenue for innovative cancer therapies.
  • Further research into epigenetic inhibitors could revolutionize disease treatment.
Keywords:
AcetylationCancerChromatin remodelingEpigenetic modificationsHDAC inhibitorsMethylation

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