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Review
. 2008 Dec;9(12):1879-902.
doi: 10.2217/14622416.9.12.1879.

Epigenomics and breast cancer

Pang-Kuo Lo  1 , Saraswati Sukumar
Affiliations
Review

Epigenomics and breast cancer

Pang-Kuo Lo et al. Pharmacogenomics. 2008 Dec.

Abstract

Breast carcinogenesis involves genetic and epigenetic alterations that cause aberrant gene function. Recent progress in the knowledge of epigenomics has had a profound impact on the understanding of mechanisms leading to breast cancer, and consequently the development of new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Epigenetic regulation has been known to involve three mutually interacting events--DNA methylation, histone modifications and nucleosomal remodeling. These processes modulate chromatin structure to form euchromatin or heterochromatin, and in turn activate or silence gene expression. Alteration in expression of key genes through aberrant epigenetic regulation in breast cells can lead to initiation, promotion and maintenance of carcinogenesis, and is even implicated in the generation of drug resistance. We currently review known roles of the epigenetic machinery in the development and recurrence of breast cancer. Furthermore, we highlight the significance of epigenetic alterations as predictive biomarkers and as new targets of anticancer therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling in normal and cancer cells
DNMT: DNA methyltransferases; HAT: Histone acetyltransferases; HDAC: Histone deacetylases; HMT: histone methyltransferases; HP1: Heterochromatin protein 1; MBP: Methyl-CpG binding proteins; PcG: Polycomb group; trxG: Trithorax group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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