The Epigenetic Hallmarks of Cancer
Manel Esteller, Mark A. Dawson, Cigall Kadoch, Feyruz V. Rassool, Peter A. Jones, Stephen B. Baylin
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease in which several molecular and cellular pathways converge to foster the tumoral phenotype. Notably, in the latest iteration of the cancer hallmarks, "nonmutational epigenetic reprogramming" was newly added. However, epigenetics, much like genetics, is a broad scientific area that deserves further attention due to its multiple roles in cancer initiation, progression, and adaptive nature. Herein, we present a detailed examination of the epigenetic hallmarks affected in human cancer, elucidating the pathways and genes involved, and dissecting the disrupted landscapes for DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin architecture that define the disease. Significance: Cancer is a disease characterized by constant evolution, spanning from its initial premalignant stages to the advanced invasive and disseminated stages. It is a pathology that is able to adapt and survive amidst hostile cellular microenvironments and diverse treatments implemented by medical professionals. The more fixed setup of the genetic structure cannot fully provide transformed cells with the tools to survive but the rapid and plastic nature of epigenetic changes is ready for the task. This review summarizes the epigenetic hallmarks that define the ecological success of cancer cells in our bodies.