title: Cancer epigenetics: modifications, screening, and therapy.
abstract: Deregulation of gene expression is a hallmark of cancer. Although genetic lesions have been the focus of cancer research for many years, it has become increasingly recognized that aberrant epigenetic modifications also play major roles in the tumorigenic process. These modifications are imposed on chromatin, do not change the nucleotide sequence of DNA, and are manifested by specific patterns of gene expression that are heritable through many cell divisions. We review these modifications in normal and cancer cells and the evolving approaches used to study them. Additionally, we outline advances in their potential use for cancer diagnostics and targeted epigenetic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Einav Nili
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Gal-Yam
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Gerda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006657:Histones