Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2025

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

6.4K

Pharmacological targeting of the cancer epigenome

Nathaniel W Mabe1,2, Jennifer A Perry1, Clare F Malone1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.

Nature Cancer
|June 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic dysregulation drives cancer initiation, progression, and treatment resistance. Recent advances in epigenetic therapies show promise, with approved drugs and ongoing clinical trials offering new cancer treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetic alterations are fundamental to cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding epigenetic dysregulation is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic mechanisms are emerging as a significant area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in epigenetic therapies for cancer.
  • To discuss the role of epigenetics in cancer initiation, maintenance, and therapy resistance.
  • To highlight new insights into epigenetic mechanisms in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of epigenetic drug classes.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for epigenetic therapies.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of epigenetics in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Several classes of epigenetic inhibitors are approved or in clinical trials.
  • Epigenetic therapies demonstrate substantial promise in treating various cancers.
  • Challenges remain in the development and application of these therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic dysregulation is a key driver of cancer.
  • Epigenetic therapies offer a promising avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Continued research is vital to overcome challenges and optimize epigenetic drug efficacy.

More Related Videos

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

10.4K
Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation21:24

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation

Published on: January 2, 2009

23.3K

Related Concept Videos

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...
7.5K
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...
3.0K
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...
6.4K
Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
6.2K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
4.9K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.3K