Targeting epigenetic dependencies in solid tumors: Evolutionary landscape beyond germ layers origin

Francesca Citron, Linda Fabris

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Extensive efforts recently witnessed the complexity of cancer biology; however, molecular medicine still lacks the ability to elucidate hidden mechanisms for the maintenance of specific subclasses of rare tumors characterized by the silent onset and a poor prognosis (e.g., ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma). Recent mutational fingerprints of human cancers highlighted genomic alteration occurring on epigenetic modulators. In this scenario, the epigenome dependency of cancer orchestrates a broad range of cellular processes critical for tumorigenesis and tumor progression, possibly mediating escaping mechanisms leading to drug resistance. Indeed, in this review, we discuss the pivotal role of chromatin remodeling in shaping the tumor architecture and modulating tumor fitness in a microenvironment-dependent context. We will also present recent advances in the epigenome targeting, posing a particular emphasis on how this knowledge could be translated into a feasible therapeutic approach to individualize clinical settings and improve patient outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number682
JournalCancers
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Cancer stem cell
  • Epigenetics
  • Glioblastoma
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Targeted therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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