Frontiers in Genetics (Nov 2019)

Epigenetics of Bladder Cancer: Where Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets Meet

  • Victor G. Martinez,
  • Victor G. Martinez,
  • Ester Munera-Maravilla,
  • Ester Munera-Maravilla,
  • Ester Munera-Maravilla,
  • Alejandra Bernardini,
  • Alejandra Bernardini,
  • Alejandra Bernardini,
  • Carolina Rubio,
  • Carolina Rubio,
  • Carolina Rubio,
  • Cristian Suarez-Cabrera,
  • Cristian Suarez-Cabrera,
  • Cristina Segovia,
  • Cristina Segovia,
  • Iris Lodewijk,
  • Iris Lodewijk,
  • Marta Dueñas,
  • Marta Dueñas,
  • Marta Dueñas,
  • Mónica Martínez-Fernández,
  • Jesus Maria Paramio,
  • Jesus Maria Paramio,
  • Jesus Maria Paramio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2019.01125
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasia of the urothelial tract. Due to its high incidence, prevalence, recurrence and mortality, it remains an unsolved clinical and social problem. The treatment of BC is challenging and, although immunotherapies have revealed potential benefit in a percentage of patients, it remains mostly an incurable disease at its advanced state. Epigenetic alterations, including aberrant DNA methylation, altered chromatin remodeling and deregulated expression of non-coding RNAs are common events in BC and can be driver events in BC pathogenesis. Accordingly, these epigenetic alterations are now being used as potential biomarkers for these disorders and are being envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for the future management of BC. In this review, we summarize the recent findings in these emerging and exciting new aspects paving the way for future clinical treatment of this disease.

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