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Dietary Epigenetics in Cancer and Aging

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Advances in Nutrition and Cancer

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 159))

Abstract

Although epigenetic aberrations frequently occur in aging and cancer and form a core component of these conditions, perhaps the most useful aspect of epigenetic processes is that they are readily reversible. Unlike genetic effects that also play a role in cancer and aging, epigenetic aberrations can be relatively easily corrected. One of the most widespread approaches to the epigenetic alterations in cancer and aging is dietary control. This can be achieved not only through the quality of the diet, but also through the quantity of calories that are consumed. Many phytochemicals such as sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables and green tea have anticancer epigenetic effects and are also efficacious for preventing or treating the epigenetic aberrations of other age-associated diseases besides cancer. Likewise, the quantity of calories that are consumed has proven to be advantageous in preventing cancer and extending the lifespan through control of epigenetic mediators. The purpose of this chapter is to review some of the most recent advances in the epigenetics of cancer and aging and to provide insights into advances being made with respect to dietary intervention into these biological processes that have vast health implications and high translational potential.

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Abbreviations

CR:

Caloric restriction

DNMT:

DNA methyltransferases

EGCG:

(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

HAT:

Histone methyltransferases

HDAC:

Histone deacetylase

hTERT:

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase

miRNA:

microRNA

SAM:

S-adenosylmethionine

SFN:

Sulforaphane

siRNA:

Short-interfering RNA

SIRT1:

Sirtuin 1

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by grants from the National Cancer Institute (RO1 CA129415), the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the Norma Livingston Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Center for Aging, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Nutrition Obesity Research Center, Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Trygve O. Tollefsbol

  2. University Boulevard, CH175, 1300, Birmingham, AL, 35294-1170, USA

    Trygve O. Tollefsbol

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  1. Trygve O. Tollefsbol
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Correspondence to Trygve O. Tollefsbol .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Vincenzo Zappia

  2. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy

    Salvatore Panico

  3. Institute of Food Sciences National Research Council, Avellino, Italy

    Gian Luigi Russo

  4. Dept. of Experimental Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Naples, Italy

    Alfredo Budillon

  5. Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Fulvio Della Ragione

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Tollefsbol, T.O. (2014). Dietary Epigenetics in Cancer and Aging. In: Zappia, V., Panico, S., Russo, G., Budillon, A., Della Ragione, F. (eds) Advances in Nutrition and Cancer. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 159. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38007-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38007-5_15

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