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Epigenetika je područje znanosti koje proučava nasljedne promjene fenotipa uzrokovane djelovanjem epigenetskih mehanizama koji ne uključuju promjenu u sekvenci DNA već promjenu u ekspresiji gena. Uključuju reverzibilne promjene metilacije DNA, modifikacije histona i aktivnost ne kodirajuće molekule RNA. Pogreške unutar mehanizama mogu uzrokovati nastanak invazivnog karcinoma. Karcinom karakterizira neprestana proliferacija i metastaziranje na okolna tkiva. Unatoč dostupnosti brojnih načina liječenja, liječenje karcinoma je dugotrajno i komplicirano. Zbog reverzibilnosti epigenetskih mehanizama razvija se epigenetska terapija lijekovima koji uz korištenje poznatih oblika liječenja kao što su kemoterapija i radioterapija doprinose uspješnom izlječenju. U radu je dat naglasak na epigenetske promjene u nastanku karcinoma kao i upotreba epigenetske terapije u karcinomu dojke i kolorektalnog karcinoma. Epigenetics is a field of science that studies heritable changes in phenotype caused by action of epigenetic mechanisms that do not involve a change in the DNA sequence but a change in gene expression. They include reversible changes in DNA metylation, histone modifications and activity od non-coding RNA molecules. Errors within the mechanisms can cause development of invasive cancer. Cancer is characterized by continuous proliferation and metastasis on surrounding tissues. Despite the availability of numerous treatment methods, treatment is long and complicated. Due to the reversibility of epigenetic mechanisms, epigenetic therapy is being developed which when used in addition to already known forms of treatment like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, contribute to successful treatment outcome. Breast cancer and colorectal cancer are described as examples of the influence of epigenetic modifications in the development of cancer, as well as the use od epigenetic therapy.