The Role of DNA Hypermethylation and Demethylation in Cancer and Cancer Therapy
Author Information
Author(s): Moshe Szyf, Richard J. Ablin, Phil Gold
Primary Institution: McGill University
Hypothesis
Aberrations in DNA methylation play a critical role in the changes in gene expression involved in cancer progression and metastasis.
Conclusion
DNA methylation changes are important in cancer, and targeting the DNA methylation machinery could be a promising therapeutic strategy.
Supporting Evidence
- Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a common aberration in cancer.
- Overexpression of DNMT1 can lead to cellular transformation.
- Clinical trials have shown responses to 5-azacytidine in hematologic malignancies.
Takeaway
DNA methylation is like a switch that can turn genes on or off, and in cancer, these switches can get broken. Fixing them might help treat cancer.
Methodology
The study discusses various mechanisms of DNA methylation and its implications in cancer therapy, including clinical trials of DNMT inhibitors.
Limitations
The study highlights unresolved questions regarding the mechanisms of action of DNMT inhibitors and their potential to induce pro-metastatic genes.
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