Research - Epigenetics

In addition to gene mutations’silencing, epigenetic modifications (like DNA hypermethylation and histone post-translational modifications) are associated with transcriptional inactivation of many genes. The intense study of the epigenetic hallmarks in cancer is important as it reveals early risk assessment potential and the prognosis. Another aspect regarding the epigenetic approach is linked with the molecular targets envisaged by new therapeutic drugs in cancer. The combination of epigenetic drugs with existing therapies, represents a new more effective strategy based on the reversibility of epigenetic changes as compared with the genetic mutations.

Epigenetic domain is therefore an area of research linked with cancer diagnosis/prognosis and treatment.