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Targeting nuclear elements to reverse epigenetic dysregulation in the tumor microenvironment: a key to

Rebanta Roy1, Priyanka Bhadra1, Dwaypayan Ghosh1

  • 1Bose Institute, EN-80, Sector V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700-091, India.

Drug Discovery Today
|May 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetics, including DNA methylation and histone modification, helps cancer cells evade immune responses. Epigenetic modulating agents combined with checkpoint inhibitors show promise for re-sensitizing tumors and advancing cancer immunotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Cancer cells utilize epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, for immune evasion.
  • These epigenetic changes contribute to T-cell exhaustion and foster a tumor micro-environment that tolerates cancer growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the role of epigenetics in cancer immune evasion.
  • To explore the potential of epigenetic modulating agents (EMAs) and nanomaterials in overcoming tumor-induced immune tolerance.
  • To investigate the synergistic effects of EMAs, nanomaterials, and checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer immune evasion.
  • Discussion of DNA methylation and histone modification roles.
  • Analysis of epigenetic modulating agents (EMAs) and nanomaterials for tumor re-sensitization.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic alterations are key to cancer's immune evasion strategies.
  • EMAs and nanomaterials can potentially re-program 'cold' tumors to be more susceptible to immune attack.
  • Combination therapies involving EMAs and checkpoint inhibitors may represent a novel approach in cancer immunotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic reprogramming is a crucial strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
  • Targeting epigenetic mechanisms offers a promising avenue to overcome immune evasion and improve treatment outcomes.
  • The combination of epigenetic modulating agents with immunotherapy agents could usher in a new era of cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Cancer immunotherapyDNA methylationEpigenetic modulationImmune systemNon-coding RNATumor micro environment (TME)

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