La contribution de l’épigénétique a la médecine préventive contre le développement du cancer

Abstract

The link between epigenetics and cancer comes from epigenetic deregulation. These epigenetic changes (acetylation of histones and methylation of DNA) participate in tumorogenesis by inactivating tumor suppressor genes. The list of tumor suppressor genes inactivated via epigenetic modifications is steadily growing over the course of more and more studies. The tumor suppressor genes most often inactivated by epigenetic modifications are shown in the following table, as well as the main types of cancer associated with these inactivations. Unlike the genetic causes of cancer affecting the DNA sequence which are irreversible, epigenetic changes are reversible. Also, new therapeutic approaches are opening up with the use of specific inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) or histone deacetylases (HDAC). This work was carried out in order to study the development of EPI cancer genetically and to cite the different therapeutic approaches that already exist and which can revolutionize preventive medicine. How is epigenetics crucial in the development of preventive medicine (against cancer) today?