Breast cancer is the most common tumor in females worldwide. Cancer epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming are known cancer hallmarks. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics include histone modification, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs. In contrast to genetic modifications, epigenetics refers to a set of dynamic alterations. By controlling the on and off states of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as re-engineering the tumor microenvironment, epigenetics plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. Additionally, the complex process of metabolic reprogramming is required for both tumor development and malignant transformation, including invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, reprogrammed metabolic activities have been utilized to diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer patients. In tumor tissues, metabolic heterogeneity enables cancer cells to adapt to drastic microenvironmental changes caused by therapeutic modalities, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and exposure to chemotherapy, by reprogramming metabolic pathways to sustain survival.
Over the years, the development and application of new technologies in breast cancer have not only uncovered the heterogeneity of these tumors but also revealed new metabolic pathways that are involved in tumor growth. Additionally, the interplay between epigenetic dysregulation and altered metabolism plays a critical role in cancer cell survival in the changing microenvironment. Further, targeting epigenetics and metabolic players has become a promising research area in cancer therapy. For instance, epigenetic treatment was reported to be of great benefit to cancer patients in combination with other current therapies. This research topic aims to highlight the ongoing advances and challenges in breast and prostate cancer epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming and to provide insights into a variety of ongoing questions in the regulation of their tumor microenvironment.
We aim to collect original research and review articles that will aid in uncovering the different epigenetic aspects and metabolic processes involved in breast tumorigenesis.
This includes but is not limited to the following themes:
- Metabolic regulation of tumor cells
- Epigenetic deregulation of various cell types present in the tumor microenvironment, including DNA methylation and histone modifications
- Expression and regulation of non-coding RNAs in cancer.
- Epigenetic signatures and signalling pathways regulating tumor heterogeneity.
-“Epi-drugs”, therapeutic targeting of epigenetic factors as cancer therapy.
- Exploring promising novel epigenetic and/or metabolic biomarkers in cancer.
- Application of omics approaches for metabolic and epigenetic pathways (transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics).
- Metabolic reprogramming-related molecular markers and predictive factors associated with tumorigenesis.
- Potential strategies targeting metabolic pathways for cancer therapy.
This Research Topic is a second edition of the original project, building on its success by exploring new advancements and emerging trends in the field. We aim to further expand the discussion and invite fresh perspectives to advance the ongoing dialogue.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.
Breast cancer is the most common tumor in females worldwide. Cancer epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming are known cancer hallmarks. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics include histone modification, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs. In contrast to genetic modifications, epigenetics refers to a set of dynamic alterations. By controlling the on and off states of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as re-engineering the tumor microenvironment, epigenetics plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. Additionally, the complex process of metabolic reprogramming is required for both tumor development and malignant transformation, including invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, reprogrammed metabolic activities have been utilized to diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer patients. In tumor tissues, metabolic heterogeneity enables cancer cells to adapt to drastic microenvironmental changes caused by therapeutic modalities, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and exposure to chemotherapy, by reprogramming metabolic pathways to sustain survival.
Over the years, the development and application of new technologies in breast cancer have not only uncovered the heterogeneity of these tumors but also revealed new metabolic pathways that are involved in tumor growth. Additionally, the interplay between epigenetic dysregulation and altered metabolism plays a critical role in cancer cell survival in the changing microenvironment. Further, targeting epigenetics and metabolic players has become a promising research area in cancer therapy. For instance, epigenetic treatment was reported to be of great benefit to cancer patients in combination with other current therapies. This research topic aims to highlight the ongoing advances and challenges in breast and prostate cancer epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming and to provide insights into a variety of ongoing questions in the regulation of their tumor microenvironment.
We aim to collect original research and review articles that will aid in uncovering the different epigenetic aspects and metabolic processes involved in breast tumorigenesis.
This includes but is not limited to the following themes:
- Metabolic regulation of tumor cells
- Epigenetic deregulation of various cell types present in the tumor microenvironment, including DNA methylation and histone modifications
- Expression and regulation of non-coding RNAs in cancer.
- Epigenetic signatures and signalling pathways regulating tumor heterogeneity.
-“Epi-drugs”, therapeutic targeting of epigenetic factors as cancer therapy.
- Exploring promising novel epigenetic and/or metabolic biomarkers in cancer.
- Application of omics approaches for metabolic and epigenetic pathways (transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics).
- Metabolic reprogramming-related molecular markers and predictive factors associated with tumorigenesis.
- Potential strategies targeting metabolic pathways for cancer therapy.
This Research Topic is a second edition of the original project, building on its success by exploring new advancements and emerging trends in the field. We aim to further expand the discussion and invite fresh perspectives to advance the ongoing dialogue.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.