Epigenetic regulation plays a central role in shaping the molecular landscape of cancer. Beyond permanent genetic mutations, epigenetic changes provide a flexible and reversible layer of control over gene expression, influencing every stage of tumor development, from initiation and progression to metastasis and therapy resistance. This topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research exploring how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to cancer biology and how they can be harnessed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

DNA methylation remains one of the best-characterized epigenetic mechanisms in cancer biology. Histone modifications such as acetylation and methylation modulate chromatin accessibility, influencing the transcriptional programs that drive malignant transformation. However, recent discoveries have expanded this landscape far beyond these classical marks. Emerging modifications such as histone lactylation, butyrylation, crotonylation, and other acylations have unveiled new layers of epigenetic complexity.

These marks provide a direct link between cellular metabolism and gene regulation, illustrating how metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cancer, can drive epigenetic remodeling. For instance, lactylation connects the accumulation of lactate in the tumor microenvironment to gene activation, supporting tumor growth and immune evasion. Understanding these novel pathways opens exciting opportunities for therapeutic intervention, where targeting metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk may yield new anticancer strategies.

This collection invites contributions that explore the mechanisms, functions, and clinical implications of epigenetic alterations in cancer. Topics may include, but are not limited to, DNA and histone modification dynamics, chromatin remodeling, noncoding RNA-mediated regulation, metabolic-epigenetic interactions, and the development of epigenetic biomarkers or drugs. Advanced knowledge in this area will be key to identifying novel biomarkers, refining cancer classification, and developing more effective, personalized therapies for patients.

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Epigenetic Regulation in Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Innovation