Cancer Epigenetics

During the past few decades, it has become increasingly apparent that heredity is not the sole determining factor in disease development, such as cancer. This landmark work covers a wide array of aspects in the relatively new area of epigenetics, ranging from its role in the basic mechanisms of tumorigenesis, to the newest epigenetic drugs being de

This volume discusses certain epigenetic changes recognized in early carcinogenic lesions and different tumors, as well as factors that alter the epigenome and epigenetic profile such as diet, alcohol, immunity, circadian rhythm, and more. The chapters in this book further delve into this field and cover topics such as epigenome-based precision medicine in lung cancer; interplay between genetic and epigenetic changes in breast cancer subtypes; genetic regulation of PDCD1 gene in cancer immunology; and pyrosequencing methylation analysis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Cancer Epigenetics for Precision Medicine: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource to help researchers and scientists identify these specific biomarkers and work towards the prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis of different cancers in the future.

Drug Discovery in Cancer Epigenetics is a practical resource for scientists involved in the discovery, testing, and development of epigenetic cancer drugs. Epigenetic modifications can have significant implications for translational science as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis or therapy prediction. Most importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible and epigenetic players are found mutated in different cancers; therefore, they provide attractive therapeutic targets. There has been great interest in developing and testing epigenetic drugs, which inhibit DNA methyltransferases, histone modifying enzymes or chromatin reader proteins. The first few drugs are already FDA approved and have made their way into clinical settings. This book provides a comprehensive summary of the epigenetic drugs currently available and aims to increase awareness in this area to foster more rapid translation of epigenetic drugs into the clinic. Highlights the potential of epigenetic alterations in cancer for drug development Covers the tools and methods for epigenetic drug discovery, preclinical and clinical testing, and clinical implications of epigenetic therapy Provides important information regarding putative epigenetic targets, epigenetic technologies, networks and consortia for epigenetic drug discovery and routes for translation

This open access textbook leads the reader from basic concepts of chromatin structure and function and RNA mechanisms to the understanding of epigenetics, imprinting, regeneration and reprogramming. The textbook treats epigenetic phenomena in animals, as well as plants. Written by four internationally known experts and senior lecturers in this field, it provides a valuable tool for Master- and PhD- students who need to comprehend the principles of epigenetics, or wish to gain a deeper knowledge in this field. After reading this book, the student will: Have an understanding of the basic toolbox of epigenetic regulation Know how genetic and epigenetic information layers are interconnected Be able to explain complex epigenetic phenomena by understanding the structures and principles of the underlying molecular mechanisms Understand how misregulated epigenetic mechanisms can lead to disease

Epigenetic Cancer Therapy unites issues central to a translational audience actively seeking to understand the topic. It is ideal for cancer specialists, including oncologists and clinicians, but also provides valuable information for researchers, academics, students, governments, and decision-makers in the healthcare sector. The text covers the basic background of the epigenome, aberrant epigenetics, and its potential as a target for cancer therapy, and includes individual chapters on the state of epigenome knowledge in specific cancers (including lung, breast, prostate, liver). The book encompasses both large-scale intergovernmental initiatives as well as recent findings across cancer stem cells, rational drug design, clinical trials, and chemopreventative strategies. As a whole, the work articulates and raises the profile of epigenetics as a therapeutic option in the future management of cancer. Concisely summarizes the therapeutic implications of recent, large-scale epigenome studies, including the cancer epigenome atlas Discusses targeted isoform specific versus pan-specific inhibitors, a rational drug design approach to epigenetics relevant to pharmacoepigenetic clinical applications Covers new findings in the interplay between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug resistance, demonstrating that epigenetic machinery is a candidate target for the eradication of these CSCs

Epigenetics of Cancer Prevention, Volume Ten is the first to look at epigenetics and chemoprevention together. Although there is numerous scientific data available on how epigenetics can lead to cancer and how chemoprevention can be beneficial in the treatment of, or improvement of quality of life, together they will set an advanced understanding for the reader in this upcoming field of chemoprevention influencing epigenetics. This book discusses molecular epigenetic targets of natural products, such as green tea polyphenols, curcumin and resveratrol, and organ specific epigenetic targets related to diverse types of cancer, for example prostate, colorectal, breast, lung and skin cancers. Additionally, it encompasses a discussion on research methods and limitations to study epigenetics and epigenomics of chemopreventive drugs and personalized cancer treatment with phytochemicals. The book is ideal for cancer researchers, health care professionals and all individuals who are interested in cancer prevention research and its clinical applications, especially in natural remedies.

Epigenetic Mechanisms in Cancer provides a comprehensive analysis of epigenetic signatures that govern disease development, progression and metastasis. Epigenetic signatures dictating tumor etiologies present an opportunity for biomarker identification which has broad potential for improving diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, and risk assessment. This volumes offers a unique evaluation of signature differences in childhood, sex-specific and race-specific cancers, and in doing so broadly illuminates the scope of epigenetic biomarkers in clinical environments. Chapters detail the major epigenetic process in humans consisting of DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the initiation, progression and metastasis of tumors. Also delineated are recent technologies such as next generation sequencing that are used to identify epigenetic profiles (primarily methylation analysis) in samples (normal, benign and cancerous) and which are highly important to the analysis of epigenetic outcomes. Offers broad coverage that is applicable to audiences in various area of cancer research - population studies, diagnostics, prognosis, prediction, therapy, risk, etc. Provides critical review analysis of the topics that will clarify and delineate the potential roles of epigenetic signatures in cancer management Covers basic, as well as, clinical areas of epigenetic mechanisms in tumorigenesis Features contributions by leading experts in the field Provides comprehensive coverage of current epigenetic signatures involved in the etiology of various cancers and miRNAs

Epigenetics of Cancer Prevention, Volume Ten is the first to look at epigenetics and chemoprevention together. Although there is numerous scientific data available on how epigenetics can lead to cancer and how chemoprevention can be beneficial in the treatment of, or improvement of quality of life, together they will set an advanced understanding for the reader in this upcoming field of chemoprevention influencing epigenetics. This book discusses molecular epigenetic targets of natural products, such as green tea polyphenols, curcumin and resveratrol, and organ specific epigenetic targets related to diverse types of cancer, for example prostate, colorectal, breast, lung and skin cancers. Additionally, it encompasses a discussion on research methods and limitations to study epigenetics and epigenomics of chemopreventive drugs and personalized cancer treatment with phytochemicals. The book is ideal for cancer researchers, health care professionals and all individuals who are interested in cancer prevention research and its clinical applications, especially in natural remedies. Lists natural agents, including nutraceuticals, and their effects on normal or tumor genome Addresses various epigenetic systems and mechanisms in the regulation and support of the mammalian genome Discusses how various parts of dietary phytochemicals can influence or modify epigenetic mechanisms in several types of cancer

Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic processes may play a major role in both cellular and organismal aging. These epigenetic processes include not only DNA methylation and histone modifications, but also extend to many other epigenetic mediators such as the polycomb group proteins, chromosomal position effects, and noncoding RNA. The topics of this book range from fundamental changes in DNA methylation in aging to the most recent research on intervention into epigenetic modifications to modulate the aging process. The major topics of epigenetics and aging covered in this book are: 1) DNA methylation and histone modifications in aging; 2) Other epigenetic processes and aging; 3) Impact of epigenetics on aging; 4) Epigenetics of age-related diseases; 5) Epigenetic interventions and aging: and 6) Future directions in epigenetic aging research. The most studied of epigenetic processes, DNA methylation, has been associated with cellular aging and aging of organisms for many years. It is now apparent that both global and gene-specific alterations occur not only in DNA methylation during aging, but also in several histone alterations. Many epigenetic alterations can have an impact on aging processes such as stem cell aging, control of telomerase, modifications of telomeres, and epigenetic drift can impact the aging process as evident in the recent studies of aging monozygotic twins. Numerous age-related diseases are affected by epigenetic mechanisms. For example, recent studies have shown that DNA methylation is altered in Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmunity. Other prevalent diseases that have been associated with age-related epigenetic changes include cancer and diabetes. Paternal age and epigenetic changes appear to have an effect on schizophrenia and epigenetic silencing has been associated with several of the progeroid syndromes of premature aging. Moreover, the impact of dietary or drug intervention into epigenetic processes as they affect normal aging or age-related diseases is becoming increasingly feasible.

Resistance to therapies, both targeted and systemic, and metastases to distant organs are the underlying causes of breast cancer-associated mortality. The second edition of Breast Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance brings together some of the leading experts to comprehensively understand breast cancer: the factors that make it lethal, and current research and clinical progress. This volume covers the following core topics: basic understanding of breast cancer (statistics, epidemiology, racial disparity and heterogeneity), metastasis and drug resistance (bone metastasis, trastuzumab resistance, tamoxifen resistance and novel therapeutic targets, including non-coding RNAs, inflammatory cytokines, cancer stem cells, ubiquitin ligases, tumor microenvironment and signaling pathways such as TRAIL, JAK-STAT and mTOR) and recent developments in the field (epigenetic regulation, microRNAs-mediated regulation, novel therapies and the clinically relevant 3D models). Experts also discuss the advances in laboratory research along with their translational and clinical implications with an overarching goal to improve the diagnosis and prognosis, particularly that of breast cancer patients with advanced disease.