title: Epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer: premises and prospects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Epigenetic alterations play an important role in the pathogenesis of the colorectal cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review has focused on the most recent investigations, which has suggested potential epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evidences were achieved by searching online medical databases including Google scholar, Pubmed, Scopus and Science Direct.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extensive studies have indicated that aberrant epigenetic modifications could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of colorectal cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advances in aberrant epigenetic modifications can open new avenues for exploration of reliable and robust biomarkers to improve the management of CRC patients.
authors: a Colorectal Research Center , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , IR Iran.
authors: Mozhdeh
authors: M
authors: Zamani
authors: a Colorectal Research Center , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , IR Iran.
authors: Seyed Vahid
authors: SV
authors: Hosseini
authors: b Gasteroenterohepatology Research Center , Nemazee Hospital, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.|c Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors: Pooneh
authors: P
authors: Mokarram
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Colorectal cancer; DNA methylation; biomarker; epigenetics; histone modifications; miRNA