Virani Shama, Colacino Justin A, Kim Jung H, Rozek Laura S
ILAR J. 2012;53(3-4):359-69. doi: 10.1093/ilar.53.3-4.359.
Cancer is a disease that results from the successive accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Despite intense study, many unanswered questions about the nature of the contribution of epigenetic changes to carcinogenesis remain. In this review, we describe principles of epigenetics as they relate to our current understanding of carcinogenesis. There are a number of in vivo models of specific pathways of carcinogenesis that are very useful for the characterization of epigenetic mechanisms that link environmental exposures or genetic susceptibility and cancer progression. Because epigenetic alterations are thought to be reversible, they offer great promise for treatment of cancer. The use of animal models to evaluate the effects of decitabine and zebularine has elucidated the mechanisms of action and indicated the potential for these types of treatment. Ultimately, the greatest challenge lies in the integration of laboratory and epidemiologic data to best prevent and treat this deadly disease.
癌症是一种由基因和表观遗传改变的连续积累导致的疾病。尽管进行了深入研究,但关于表观遗传变化对致癌作用贡献的本质仍有许多未解决的问题。在本综述中,我们描述了表观遗传学原理,因为它们与我们目前对致癌作用的理解相关。有许多致癌作用特定途径的体内模型,对于表征将环境暴露或遗传易感性与癌症进展联系起来的表观遗传机制非常有用。由于表观遗传改变被认为是可逆的,它们为癌症治疗提供了巨大的希望。使用动物模型评估地西他滨和泽布替尼的效果已经阐明了其作用机制,并表明了这类治疗的潜力。最终,最大的挑战在于整合实验室和流行病学数据,以最好地预防和治疗这种致命疾病。