Targeting epigenetic modifications in cancer therapy: erasing the roadmap to cancer

Nat Med. 2019 Mar;25(3):403-418. doi: 10.1038/s41591-019-0376-8. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Abstract

Epigenetic dysregulation is a common feature of most cancers, often occurring directly through alteration of epigenetic machinery. Over the last several years, a new generation of drugs directed at epigenetic modulators have entered clinical development, and results from these trials are now being disclosed. Unlike first-generation epigenetic therapies, these new agents are selective, and many are targeted to proteins which are mutated or translocated in cancer. This review will provide a summary of the epigenetic modulatory agents currently in clinical development and discuss the opportunities and challenges in their development. As these drugs advance in the clinic, drug discovery has continued with a focus on both novel and existing epigenetic targets. We will provide an overview of these efforts and the strategies being employed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Drug Discovery
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Histone Acetyltransferases