Epigenetics in cancer
Epigenetics in cancer refers to changes in gene expression patterns and cellular behavior that are not caused by alterations in the DNA sequence itself but rather by modifications to the epigenome. These modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, which can silence tumor-suppressor genes or activate oncogenes. Epigenetic changes play a pivotal role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis by promoting abnormal cell growth and resistance to therapy. Understanding cancer epigenetics is essential for developing targeted epigenetic therapies that can reverse these alterations, potentially reprogramming cancer cells to a more normal state and improving treatment strategies for various types of cancer.
