The clinical application of targeting cancer through histone acetylation and hypomethylation.
Methods of gene inactivation include genetic events such as mutations or deletions. Epigenetic changes, heritable traits that are mediated by changes in DNA other than nucleotide sequences, play an important role in gene expression. Two epigenetic events that have been associated with transcriptional silencing include methylation of CpG islands located in gene promoter regions of cancer cells and changes in chromatin conformation involving histone acetylation. Recent evidence demonstrates that these processes form layers of epigenetic silencing. Reversal of these epigenetic processes and up-regulation of genes important to prevent or reverse the malignant phenotype has therefore become a new therapeutic target in cancer treatment.
Division of Oncology and Hematology, Stanley S Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
Jill
J
Gilbert
Steve D
SD
Gore
James G
JG
Herman
Michael A
MA
Carducci
D000107:Acetylation / Q000187:drug effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006657:Histones