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Epigenetic therapies in haematological malignancies: Searching for true targets
- Source :
-
European Journal of Cancer . May2009, Vol. 45 Issue 7, p1137-1145. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Epigenetic alterations complement genetic mutations as a molecular mechanism leading to cell transformation, and maintenance of the cancer phenotype. Of note, they are reversible by pharmacological manipulation of the enzymes responsible for chromatin modification: indeed, epigenetic drugs (histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA demethylating agents) are currently on the market, inducing proliferative arrest and death of tumor cells. These drugs, however, have been effective only in a few tumor types: the lack of consistent clinical results is mainly due to their use in a poorly targeted approach, since the epigenetic alterations present in cancer cells are mostly unknown. In a few cases (notably, leukemias expressing RAR and MLL fusion proteins), the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-selective and tumor-specific epigenetic alterations have started to be deciphered. These studies are revealing a dazzling complexity in the mechanisms leading to alterations of the epigenome, and the need of combination therapies targeting different chromatin modifiers to reach an effective reversion of epigenetic alterations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09598049
- Volume :
- 45
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- European Journal of Cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37573282
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2009.03.001