Advances in epigenetic therapy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with significant heterogeneity in its pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. Despite advances in treatment strategies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the prognosis of esophageal cancer remains poor. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, can regulate gene expression without changing the DNA sequence and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. Abnormal epigenetic alterations are not only key drivers of tumorigenesis but also promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms involved in esophageal cancer and summarizes the latest progress in epigenetic-based therapeutic strategies, including the development and application of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and drugs targeting non-coding RNAs. Moreover, it discusses the challenges and future prospects of epigenetic therapy in the clinical management of esophageal cancer.