Epigenetics and cancer.
Epigenetic mechanisms act to change the accessibility of chromatin to transcriptional regulation locally and globally via modifications of the DNA and by modification or rearrangement of nucleosomes. Epigenetic gene regulation collaborates with genetic alterations in cancer development. This is evident from every aspect of tumor biology including cell growth and differentiation, cell cycle control, DNA repair, angiogenesis, migration, and evasion of host immunosurveillance. In contrast to genetic cancer causes, the possibility of reversing epigenetic codes may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. anders.lund@bric.dk
Anders H
AH
Lund
Maarten
M
van Lohuizen
D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic