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Review
. 2017 Nov 1:121:124-132.
doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.10.011. Epub 2017 Oct 25.

Epigenetic reprogramming in liver fibrosis and cancer

Caroline L Wilson  1 , Derek A Mann  2 , Lee A Borthwick  3
Affiliations
Review

Epigenetic reprogramming in liver fibrosis and cancer

Caroline L Wilson et al. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. .

Abstract

Novel insights into the epigenetic control of chronic liver diseases are now emerging. Recent advances in our understanding of the critical roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications and ncRNA may now be exploited to improve management of fibrosis/cirrhosis and cancer. Furthermore, improved technologies for the detection of epigenetic markers from patients' blood and tissues will vastly improve diagnosis, treatment options and prognostic tracking. The aim of this review is to present recent findings from the field of liver epigenetics and to explore their potential for translation into therapeutics to prevent disease promoting epigenome reprogramming and reverse epigenetic changes.

Keywords: DNA methylation; Hepatic Stellate Cell; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Histone modifications; Non-coding RNAs.

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Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The Implications of EZH2 as a therapeutic target in fibrosis and HCC. The schematic outlines some of the ways in which EZH2 is able to support growth, survival and migration of liver cancer and activation of the scar forming myofibroblasts of the liver.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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