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The epigenetics of breast cancer - Opportunities for diagnostics, risk stratification and therapy.
Schröder, Rieke; Illert, Anna-Lena; Erbes, Thalia; Flotho, Christian; Lübbert, Michael; Duque-Afonso, Jesús.
Affiliation
  • Schröder R; Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Freiburg Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
  • Illert AL; Department of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
  • Erbes T; Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Freiburg Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
  • Flotho C; Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Freiburg Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
  • Lübbert M; German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium Für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.
  • Duque-Afonso J; Department of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Epigenetics ; 17(6): 612-624, 2022 06.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34159881
The stage and molecular pathology-dependent prognosis of breast cancer, the limited treatment options for triple-negative carcinomas, as well as the development of resistance to therapies illustrate the need for improved early diagnosis and the development of new therapeutic approaches. Increasing data suggests that some answers to these challenges could be found in the area of epigenetics. In this study, we focus on the current research of the epigenetics of breast cancer, especially on the potential of epigenetics for clinical application in diagnostics, risk stratification and therapy. The differential DNA methylation status of specific gene regions has been used in the past to differentiate breast cancer cells from normal tissue. New technologies as detection of circulating nucleic acids including microRNAs to early detect breast cancer are emerging. Pattern of DNA methylation and expression of histone-modifying enzymes have been successfully used for risk stratification. However, all these epigenetic biomarkers should be validated in larger clinical studies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies show a therapeutic benefit of epigenetically active drugs for breast cancer entities that are still difficult to treat (triple negative, UICC stage IV). Remarkably, epigenetic therapies combined with chemotherapies or hormone-based therapies represent the most promising strategy. At the current stage, the integration of epigenetic substances into established breast cancer therapy protocols seems to hold the greatest potential for a clinical application of epigenetic research.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Breast Neoplasms Type of study: Diagnostic_studies / Etiology_studies / Guideline / Prognostic_studies / Risk_factors_studies / Screening_studies Limits: Female / Humans Language: En Journal: Epigenetics Journal subject: GENETICA Year: 2022 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Germany Country of publication: United States

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Breast Neoplasms Type of study: Diagnostic_studies / Etiology_studies / Guideline / Prognostic_studies / Risk_factors_studies / Screening_studies Limits: Female / Humans Language: En Journal: Epigenetics Journal subject: GENETICA Year: 2022 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Germany Country of publication: United States