DNA Methylation definitely has a major role in cancer, but with the all of the different tissue types and cancer variations, it’s been nearly impossible to define exactly what that role is. That hasn’t stopped dedicated researchers from chipping away at the task, though…or EpiGenie from covering it. Check out the advances in understanding DNAm and cancer we’ve written about so far.
DNA Methylation in Cancer
Cancers Ban Erythropoietin with DNA Methylation
Most folks know of the hormone erythropoietin (aka EPO) because of its use as a “doping” substance by athletes. It seems that athletic committees aren’t the only ones hoping to eradicate EPOs use. New research shows that many cancers would like to see it banned too—they’ll even methylate the EPO promoter to repress its expression.
Cancer Cells Keep Their Methylome Options Open
New research finds tumor cells don’t like to be tied to just one methylation pattern, they prefer a variety. In fact, that variation within tumors gives cells a big leg-up in challenging environments, and possibly even helps them avoid detection and treatment.
Foursome of DNA Methylation Subgroups Found in Colorectal Cancer
As if one kind of colorectal cancer (CRC) isn’t bad enough, new research has uncovered four DNA methylation-based versions of the insidious disease.
Tumor Suppressor Methylation is Cause for Cancer Concern
Aberrant DNA methylation causes cancer. Wait, didn’t we know this already? Well, not exactly. As this study finds out, association and causation are two very different things.
Oncogenic Viruses Methylomes
To methylate, or not to methylate? That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the genome to suffer the onslaughts and diversions of oncogenic DNA viruses or, by inactivating, disguise them (from immune surveillance).
Blast from the Past: Methylation Profiling of Archival Lymphoma Samples
Imagine that you could go back in time and analyze the DNA methylation profiles of long-ago cancer samples (not to mention recession-proof your investment portfolio). EpiGenie can’t help with the latter because our time machine is on the fritz, but we can tell you about a new study in which researchers profiled the methylomes of archival follicular lymphoma tissues.
Integration now! DNA methylation, genomic imbalance, and gene expression analyses in osteosarcoma
No longer can the genetic and epigenetic causes of cancer and the resulting changes in gene expression be analyzed separately, with little regard for their interdependency.In this spirit researchers conducted the first integrative analysis of global cancer-related changes in DNA methylation, genomic imbalance, and gene expression.