Unraveling Cancer Epigenetics: From Mechanistic Pathways to Therapeutic Innovations

About this Research Topic

Background

Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in the reshaping of gene expression programs, ultimately driving cancer progression. With mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, epigenetic alterations significantly impact tumor biology by enabling immune evasion and promoting resistance to both conventional and targeted therapies. This unique aspect of epigenetic changes, their reversibility, presents an untapped potential for therapeutic intervention which genetic mutations do not offer. Despite advances in epigenetic research, there remains a crucial need to gather deeper insights into how specific epigenetic modifications contribute to these pathological processes across diverse cancer types.



The objective of this Research Topic is to explore and integrate the multifaceted roles of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer biology, specifically focusing on their contributions to tumor progression, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. Current therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators have faced limitations due to non-specific targeting and the absence of predictive biomarkers. By dissecting how specific epigenetic modifications concurrently drive these elements of cancer pathology, we aim to illuminate pathways that could lead to more precise and individualized therapeutic strategies. Additionally, this RT seeks to discover novel epigenetic signatures as predictive or prognostic biomarkers, supporting the development of therapies with enhanced specificity and reduced side effects.



To achieve a comprehensive understanding, we encourage submissions that examine the interface between epigenetics, immunity, and therapy responses, promoting cross-disciplinary studies. Moreover, we seek contributions that address the unmet needs in the field, such as biomarker discovery and the exploration of combinatorial epigenetic/immunotherapy approaches. Emphasizing innovative angles like single-cell epigenomics, multi-omics, and technology advances will further augment this RT. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives, as well as mini-reviews and commentaries on pressing controversies or unsettled questions in the field. This collaborative effort should elucidate new avenues for effective and personalized cancer treatments, advancing our translational research agendas.



Types of manuscripts accepted: Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, Commentary.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Epigenetics, Cancer progression, Therapy resistance, Immune evasion, Precision medicine

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.

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