Epigenetic mechanisms in cancer

Abstract

: This review aims to give a brief summary of the most common epigenetic mechanisms, and their possible relations with cancer initiation and progression, focusing on the possible physico-chemical factors that might control these epigenetic mechanisms, and giving examples of the epigenetic therapy approaches. Original and review articles encompassing epigenetics and inflammation were screened from major databases including PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, etc. in English and analyzed for the writing of this review paper. The importance of epigenetics in linking the effects of environmental factors to changes in gene expression is gaining acceptance more and more in recent years. It is becoming more evident that epigenetics plays an important role in health and disease, cancer being no exception. Although effects of environmental factors on cancer initiation and progression have been known for decades, the exact mechanisms that control these interactions are yet to be discovered. The breakthrough that most epigenetic alterations are reversible brings out a new exciting target for cancer therapeutics. Cancer initiation and progression are controlled by both genetic and epigenetic events. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic modulations are potentially reversible. Epigenetic drugs that inhibit DNA methylation or histone deacetylation enable reactivation of tumor suppressor genes and suppression of cancer cell growth. Taking advantage of these situations allows the reduction of malignant cell clusters. In addition, clinical results, such as epigenetic drugs targeting specific enzymes for cancer treatment and re-sensitizing cells that do not respond to treatment are promising as cancer therapeutics. To date, numerous epigenetic agents have been developed, several DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been definitively approved by regulatory agencies. Combined multidrug approaches for cancer treatment have overcome the limitations of single-agent epigenetic therapies, increased antitumor effects, and reduced drug resistance. It is evident that as our knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms expand, epigenomics-targeted treatments will become more common in cancer therapy, either as primary therapy or as complementary and alternative treatment options to increase the efficacy of conventional treatments for cancer patients, and epigenetics will maintain its increasing importance for cancer diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic studies for many years to come. with and these epigenetic approaches. Research published were examined using integrative methodology.