Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Feb 2023)

Epigenetic reprogramming in cancer: From diagnosis to treatment

  • Pedro Mikael da Silva Costa,
  • Pedro Mikael da Silva Costa,
  • Sarah Leyenne Alves Sales,
  • Sarah Leyenne Alves Sales,
  • Daniel Pascoalino Pinheiro,
  • Larissa Queiroz Pontes,
  • Larissa Queiroz Pontes,
  • Sarah Sant’Anna Maranhão,
  • Claudia do Ó. Pessoa,
  • Claudia do Ó. Pessoa,
  • Claudia do Ó. Pessoa,
  • Gilvan Pessoa Furtado,
  • Gilvan Pessoa Furtado,
  • Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado,
  • Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2023.1116805
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Disruption of the epigenetic program of gene expression is a hallmark of cancer that initiates and propagates tumorigenesis. Altered DNA methylation, histone modifications and ncRNAs expression are a feature of cancer cells. The dynamic epigenetic changes during oncogenic transformation are related to tumor heterogeneity, unlimited self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. This stem cell-like state or the aberrant reprogramming of cancer stem cells is the major challenge in treatment and drug resistance. Given the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, the ability to restore the cancer epigenome through the inhibition of the epigenetic modifiers is a promising therapy for cancer treatment, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies, including immunotherapies. Herein, we highlighted the main epigenetic alterations, their potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and the epigenetic therapies approved for cancer treatment.

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