Cancer epigenetics: promises and pitfalls for cancer therapy

Abstract

Over the past few decades, epigenetic regulators have emerged as major players in cellular processes that drive cancer initiation and progression, and subsequently modulate the responsiveness of cancers to therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of The FEBS Journal, Cancer Epigenetics, features an exciting collection of review articles that focus on the functions of a broad spectrum of epigenetic modulators in cancer. The diverse topics explored herein range from the roles of transposable elements and chromatin architecture in cancer and the most recent research advances on cancer‐associated histone variants (oncohistones), to the effects of altered epigenetics on transcription and advanced cancer cell phenotypes. Moreover, the prospective key function of cancer metabolism in linking epigenetics and transcriptional regulation, and the potential of epigenetics for targeted cancer therapeutics is discussed. We hope that this collection of articles will give readers an enlightening overview of the most recent advances in the fast‐moving field of cancer epigenetics.

Genome-wide screening for differentially methylated long noncoding RNAs identifies LIFR-AS1 as an epigenetically regulated lncRNA that inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer

“…Recent multi-omics analysis has demonstrated that cancer involves a complex regulatory network that harbors both genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, contributing to escape from chemotherapy and host immune surveillance [ 20 , 21 ]. Advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have led to the identification of individual molecular heterogeneity.…”

PROTACs in Epigenetic Cancer Therapy: Current Status and Future Opportunities

“…In recent years, numerous studies have suggested that epigenetic alterations play critical roles in a wide range of cancer types. Cancer-associated epigenetic alterations in tumors reveal potentially reversible targets for existing drugs and for an increasing repertoire of new drugs [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. At present, a variety of PROTAC drugs targeting the regulation of cancer epigenetic targets are being tested, potentially providing new directions and methods for cancer treatment.…”

The FEBS Journal in 2023: building back better

“…1), covering 'Cancer Epigenetics' edited by Diego Pasini (University of Milan), 'Neurobiology' edited by editorial board member, Andrey Abramov (University College London), 'Infection and Immunity' edited by Inna Afonina (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) and Eik Hoffmann (Institute Pasteur Lille), 'Organelle Homeostasis' edited by editorial board member Colin Adrian (Queen's University Belfast), and a Focus Issue on 'Oxygen sensing, hypoxia and ROS signaling' edited by journal staff editors Paraminder Dhillon and Eleni Skourti. All these Special Issues contain many excellent and informative reviews that are all freely downloadable and well worth reading [1][2][3][4][5]. You can find all of our Special Issues at the journal's website here, and if you are interested in serving as a guest editor for a special issue in the coming year, we would love to hear from you.…”