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Updated: May 17, 2025

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
07:50

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Published on: September 18, 2020

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Role of m5C methylation in digestive system tumors (Review)

Li Zhang1, Jianbo Yuan2, Shun Yao1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, P.R. China.

Molecular Medicine Reports
|April 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

5-methylcytosine (m5C) methylation is crucial in digestive system tumors like esophageal, gastric, and liver cancers. Understanding its role offers new therapeutic targets for these prevalent malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Digestive system tumors are a leading cause of cancer mortality, with challenging treatment and prognosis.
  • Early diagnosis is difficult, and tumors are often found at advanced stages.
  • Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, significantly influence cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the role of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) methylation in digestive system tumors.
  • To highlight m5C methylation as a potential novel therapeutic target.
  • To provide a reference for future research on m5C in digestive cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on m5C methylation in digestive system cancers.
  • Analysis of the impact of m5C modifications on oncogene expression and biological processes.
  • Focus on esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Main Results:

  • m5C methylation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of digestive system tumors.
  • Dysregulation of m5C is implicated in the development of esophageal, gastric, and liver cancers.
  • m5C modifications are emerging as significant biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • m5C methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism in digestive system tumorigenesis.
  • Targeting m5C pathways presents a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate and exploit the therapeutic potential of m5C in digestive cancers.
Keywords:
5‑methylcytosineRNA modificationdigestive systemmethylationtumor

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