A new link between epigenetic progenitor lesions in cancer and the dynamics of signal transduction.
Our recent study of the mechanism by which an epigenetic alteration, loss of imprinting (LOI) of Igf2, increases tumor risk, revealed a strong relationship between IGF2 dosage, the dynamics of signaling along the IGF2 axis, cell proliferation and tumor risk.(1) Colon epithelia in a mouse model with LOI of Igf2 showed increased sensitivity to IGF1R blockade and abrogation of premalignant lesion development in LOI(+) mice. These results are consistent with the epigenetic progenitor model of cancer,(2) in which epigenetic changes precede and heighten risk of cancer in response to oncogenic mutations. Thus, one can envision a highly targeted and focused chemoprevention strategy targeted to signaling pathways in nonmalignant cells that have undergone an epigenetic lesion, rather than a broad approach toward reversing epigenetic lesions that may have unintended consequences affecting the whole epigenome.
Timp
Winston
W
Department of Medicine, Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Levchenko
Andre
A
Feinberg
Andrew P
AP
D000818:Animals; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II