title: Emerging promise of epigenetics and DNA methylation for the diagnosis and management of women's cancers.
abstract: Over the last two decades, survival rates from women's cancers (breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer) have all but modestly improved despite huge efforts from both research and clinical communities. In parallel with this, the field of epigenetics has grown from its infancy into a promising scientific discipline. In particular, DNA methylation analysis has been adopted by oncologists in an attempt to better understand and manage cancer. Now that the epigenetic technological base has caught up, the potential of methylation markers in cancer research is finally being realized. In this review, we present the current status of epigenetic research into women's cancers with a main focus on DNA methylation analysis. We provide an overview of technological development, current markers of risk prediction, early detection, diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment, and highlight the progression of epigenetic therapies. Finally, we comment on the potential impact of epigenetic analyses on the future of women's health.
authors: Department of Gynecological Oncology, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, UK.
authors: Allison
authors: A
authors: Jones
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Lechner
authors: Evangelia-Ourania
authors: EO
authors: Fourkala
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Kristeleit
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Widschwendter
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015183:Restriction Mapping / Q000379:methods; D013447:Sulfites
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D013447:Sulfites; C009279:sodium bisulfite