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Unmasked: transposable elements as drivers and targets in cancer
Mitchell F Grinwald1, Wesley N Saintilnord1, Ting Wang2
1Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|September 11, 2025
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs), once dismissed as junk DNA, are now recognized as key players in cancer. Their reactivation influences tumor progression, offering both challenges and potential therapeutic avenues.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) were historically disregarded as non-functional "junk DNA."
- Recent research indicates TEs are actively involved in cancer development and progression.
- Understanding TE roles is crucial for advancing cancer research and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on the dual role of TEs in cancer.
- To explore how TEs act as both facilitators and inhibitors of the tumor state.
- To highlight the importance of context in determining TE consequences within cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on transposable elements in cancer.
- Analysis of TE involvement in regulatory control, viral mimicry, protein-coding, and antigen presentation.
- Tracing historical perspectives and technological advancements in TE research.
Main Results:
- TE reactivation is a complex process influenced by evolutionary, regulatory, and technological factors.
- TEs exhibit diverse functions in cancer, including roles in gene regulation and immune response.
- The impact of TEs is highly context-dependent, varying significantly between different cancer types and stages.
Conclusions:
- TEs are not mere genomic anomalies but dynamic contributors to cancer complexity.
- An integrated view of TEs is necessary, acknowledging their multifaceted roles.
- Further research into TEs may reveal novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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