How Does Epigenetics Interact with Genetic Variants in Cancer?
Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression that do not alter the DNA sequence but can influence cancer development. These changes include DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA activity. Genetic variants can impact these epigenetic mechanisms, further complicating the landscape of cancer genomics. For example, mutations in genes responsible for DNA methylation, such as DNMT3A, are frequently observed in certain cancers.
