DNA methylation, histone acetylation and methylation of epigenetic modifications as a therapeutic approach for cancers

Ching-Yu Yen; Hurng-Wern Huang; Chih-Wen Shu; Ming-Feng Hou; Shyng-Shiou F Yuan; Hui-Ru Wang; Yung-Ting Chang; Ammad Ahmad Farooqi; Jen-Yang Tang; Hsueh-Wei Chang

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2016.01.036

DNA methylation, histone acetylation and methylation of epigenetic modifications as a therapeutic approach for cancers

Cancer Lett. 2016 Apr 10;373(2):185-92. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.01.036. Epub 2016 Jan 22.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Institute of Biomedical Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
³ Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
⁴ Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁵ Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁷ Doctor Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University/Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁸ Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), KRL Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁹ Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: reyata@kmu.edu.tw.
¹⁰ Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Research Resources and Development of Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: changhw@kmu.edu.tw.

PMID: 26808576
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.01.036

Abstract

Epigenetic modifications play important roles in regulating carcinogenesis, and specific epigenetic modifications have emerged as potential tumor markers. Herein, we summarize several types of epigenetic modifications, explore the role played by epigenetic modifications in gene regulation, and describe the patterns of epigenetic modifications in cancers. Since epigenetic modifications have been reported to regulate the Warburg effect in cancers, the roles of epigenetic modifications in sugar metabolism are discussed. In addition, oxidative stress may play an important role in carcinogenesis, and the role of oxidative stress and epigenetic modification in carcinogenesis is addressed. We also discuss the role of epigenetic modifications as therapeutic targets. Finally, the synergistic effects of the combined treatment of epigenetic regulator and anticancer drugs for cancer therapy are described.

Keywords: Acetylation; Epigenetic modification; Histone; Methylation; Sugar metabolism.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Acetylation
Animals
Autophagy
Carbohydrate Metabolism
DNA Methylation*
Epigenesis, Genetic
Glycolysis / drug effects
Histones / metabolism*
Humans
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / genetics
Neoplasms / metabolism
Neoplasms / pathology
Oxidative Stress

Substances

Histones