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Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
10:36

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer

Published on: March 17, 2016

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Navigating the complexities of epigenetic dysregulation in breast cancer and its implication in therapeutic

Swathy Ravindran1,2, Ravindran Vini3, Arumugam Rajavelu4

  • 1Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695014, India.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|October 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic changes drive breast cancer progression and treatment resistance. Understanding these mechanisms, including the role of 27-hydroxycholesterol, offers new therapeutic targets for improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a complex disease driven by genetic and epigenetic alterations.
  • Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications, noncoding RNAs) are crucial in tumor initiation, progression, and treatment resistance.
  • Endogenous compounds like 27-hydroxycholesterol can influence these epigenetic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of epigenetic dysregulation in breast cancer.
  • To highlight the impact of epigenetics on disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion.
  • To identify gaps in understanding epigenetic reprogramming and suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epigenetic mechanisms in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of the interplay between epigenetic factors and the tumor immune microenvironment.
  • Examination of current clinical trials and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic alterations contribute to estrogen signaling dysregulation, endocrine therapy resistance, and metabolic rewiring.
  • The tumor immune microenvironment is significantly shaped by epigenetic players.
  • 27-hydroxycholesterol has been shown to induce epigenetic changes in ER-positive breast cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic reprogramming is central to breast cancer evolution and therapy response.
  • Targeting epigenetic pathways offers potential for novel combination therapies.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate epigenetic mechanisms for improved clinical management and patient survival.
Keywords:
Breast cancerEndocrine resistance EpigeneticsEpidrugs

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