Modulating epigenetic modifications for cancer therapy (Review)

Leonardo Josué Castro-Muñoz, Elenaé Vázquez Ulloa, Cecilia Sahlgren, Marcela Lizano, Erick De La Cruz-Hernández, Adriana Contreras-Paredes

Research output: Contribution to journalReview Article or Literature Reviewpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
5 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Cancer is a global public health concern. Alterations in epigenetic processes are among the earliest genomic aberrations occurring during cancer development and are closely related to progression. Unlike genetic mutations, aberrations in epigenetic processes are reversible, which opens the possibility for novel pharmacological treatments. Non‑coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent an essential epigenetic mechanism, and emerging evidence links ncRNAs to carcinogenesis. Epigenetic drugs (epidrugs) are a group of promising target therapies for cancer treatment acting as coadjuvants to reverse drug resistance in cancer. The present review describes central epigenetic aberrations during malignant transformation and explains how epidrugs target DNA methylation, histone modifications and ncRNAs. Furthermore, clinical trials focused on evaluating the effect of these epidrugs alone or in combination with other anticancer therapies and other ncRNA‑based therapies are discussed. The use of epidrugs promises to be an effective tool for reversing drug resistance in some patients with cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Article number59
JournalOncology Reports
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023
MoE publication typeA2 Review article in a scientific journal

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • DNA Methylation
  • Neoplasms/drug therapy
  • RNA, Untranslated/metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis/genetics

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