Epigenomics of human colon cancer.
DNA methylation exerts critical effects on gene-expression regulation in normal cells, and alterations on the normal methylation patterns characterize, and likely contribute, to cancer development and progression. The complete understanding of the distinctiveness, role and dynamics of the cancer cell epigenome has been hindered so far by technical limitations, and new, whole-genome approaches are required. Here we review the methods that have permitted us glimpses of the colon cancer methylome and outline future directions that will eventually lead researchers to identify the altered epigenetic patterns in cancer cells.
Carmona
F Javier
FJ
Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. mesteller@iconcologia.net
Esteller
Manel
M
D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D057890:Epigenomics; D006801:Humans