title: Epigenetic DNA methylation in radiation biology: on the field or on the sidelines?
abstract: DNA methylation has been studied with regard to chemotherapeutics for a number of years. The radiation field has just begun to look at this in the context of radiotherapy or radiation exposure. So far, the data suggest that radiation induces epigenetic reprogramming which indicates a purposeful response that influences the cell fate or alters the response to future exposure. Further studies may result in discovery of biomarkers for radiotherapy outcome or prediction of the degree of radiation resistance. Past and ongoing development of DNMT1 inhibitors that lead to DNA hypomethylation appear to sensitize many tumor types to radiation and may be an area with long term clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Zielske
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; C000619380:DNMT1 protein, human
keywords: AZACYTIDINE; DECITABINE; EPIGENETICS; METHYLATION; RADIATION; ZEBULARINE