What Are Epigenetic Changes and Their Impact on Cancer?
Epigenetic changes refer to modifications in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. These changes include DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation. Aberrant epigenetic changes can silence tumor suppressor genes or activate oncogenes. For instance, hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene promoter can lead to its inactivation, contributing to colorectal cancer.
