title: Epigenetic biomarkers in skin cancer.
abstract: Epigenetic aberrations have been associated with cutaneous melanoma tumorigenesis and progression including dysregulated DNA gene promoter region methylation, histone modification, and microRNA. Several of these major epigenetic aberrations have been developed into biomarkers. Epigenetic biomarkers can be detected in tissue and in blood as circulating DNA in melanoma patients. There is strong evidence that biomarkers in cutaneous melanoma will have an important role as companions to therapeutics and overall patient management. Important progress has been made in epigenetic melanoma biomarker development and verification of clinical utility, and this review discusses some of the key current developments and existing challenges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Edward S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Kelly K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Kelly T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Dave S B
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs