What Therapeutic Strategies Target Epigenetic Changes?
Several therapeutic strategies aim to reverse epigenetic changes in cancer:
1. DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors (DNMTi): Drugs like azacitidine and decitabine inhibit DNA methyltransferases, leading to decreased DNA methylation and reactivation of tumor suppressor genes. 2. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACi): Compounds such as vorinostat and romidepsin inhibit histone deacetylases, resulting in a more relaxed chromatin structure and increased gene expression. 3. Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitors: These inhibitors target enzymes that add methyl groups to histones, affecting gene expression. Drugs like tazemetostat are being explored in clinical trials. 4. Non-coding RNA-based Therapies: Non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, can regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Therapies targeting these molecules are being investigated for their potential to modulate cancer-related pathways.
