Epigenetics in cancer stem cells.
Compelling evidence have demonstrated that bulk tumors can arise from a unique subset of cells commonly termed "cancer stem cells" that has been proposed to be a strong driving force of tumorigenesis and a key mechanism of therapeutic resistance. Recent advances in epigenomics have illuminated key mechanisms by which epigenetic regulation contribute to cancer progression. In this review, we present a discussion of how deregulation of various epigenetic pathways can contribute to cancer initiation and tumorigenesis, particularly with respect to maintenance and survival of cancer stem cells. This information, together with several promising clinical and preclinical trials of epigenetic modulating drugs, offer new possibilities for targeting cancer stem cells as well as improving cancer therapy overall.
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Tan Boon
TB
Toh
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Jhin Jieh
JJ
Lim
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. csikce@nus.edu.sg.|Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. csikce@nus.edu.sg.|Centre for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive #12-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore. csikce@nus.edu.sg.
Edward Kai-Hua
EK
Chow
D000107:Acetylation / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D057890:Epigenomics / Q000379:methods; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006657:Histones; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
Cancer stem cells; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Histone methylation; Histone methyltransferase; Signaling pathway