Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre & Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Epigenomics. 2013;5(5):513-23. doi: 10.2217/epi.13.53.
The use of epigenetic biomarkers in cancer management relies on the availability of robust assays and evidence that these markers are able to segregate clinically significant groups of patients. While many cancers are characterized by genetic and epigenetic modifications, it is far simpler to develop molecular tests that detect genetic rather than epigenetic changes. In this special report, we will describe the challenges associated with developing epigenetic assays and the practical issues that must be overcome before they can be used in the clinic.
在癌症管理中使用表观遗传生物标志物依赖于是否有可靠的检测方法以及这些标志物是否能够区分具有临床意义的患者群体的证据。虽然许多癌症的特征是遗传和表观遗传改变，但开发检测遗传而非表观遗传变化的分子检测要简单得多。在本特别报告中，我们将描述开发表观遗传检测方法所面临的挑战，以及在这些检测方法能够在临床上使用之前必须克服的实际问题。
