Epigenetic Regulation in Cancer: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Interventions

Epigenetic regulation as well as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA, play a pivotal role in gene expression control and cellular identity. In cancer, these mechanisms are often deregulated, leading to aberrant gene silencing, which contributes to tumor invasion, progression, and resistance to therapy. A promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes results in their inactivation, while global hypomethylation can promote genomic instability. Similarly, histone modifications, such as acetylation and methylation, influence chromatin structure and transcriptional activity. Additionally, non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have emerged as crucial epigenetic regulators. Altered expression of these RNAs can disrupt key cellular pathways, contributing to cancer development. Understanding epigenetic dysregulation in cancer has opened new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Epigenetic drugs, such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors, have shown promise in reversing abnormal epigenetic marks and restoring normal gene function.

The goals of this collection on epigenetic regulation in cancer could include:

- Understanding epigenetic mechanisms to explore how DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs regulate gene expression and maintain cellular identity.

-Examining epigenetic dysregulation in cancer with the aim to specify how epigenetic changes contribute to tumor invasion, progression, and therapy resistance.

-Investigating the role of specific epigenetic alterations to assess the impact of promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes, global hypomethylation, and histone modifications on cancer development.

-Exploring non-coding RNA function with a focus on regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer progression.

-Identifying therapeutic approaches to discuss the potential of epigenetic drugs, such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors, in reversing aberrant epigenetic modifications and restoring normal gene function.

We invite different article types that contribute to understanding and targeting epigenetic mechanisms in cancer and address the following themes:

•DNA Methylation and Cancer: The impact of hypermethylation in tumor suppressor genes and global hypomethylation on genomic instability.

•Histone Modifications: The role of histone acetylation, methylation, and other modifications in chromatin dynamics and transcriptional regulation.

•Non-Coding RNAs: The function of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer epigenetics.

•Epigenetic Therapies: Advances in DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and novel epigenetic-based treatments.


Please note: studies consisting solely of bioinformatic investigation of publicly available genomic/transcriptomic/proteomic data do not fall within the scope of the section unless they are expanded and provide significant biological or mechanistic insight into the process being studied.

Keywords: epigenetic regulation, DNA methylation, histone modifications, noncoding RNA, chromatin remodeling, epigenetic biomarkers, epigenetic therapy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.