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Epigenetic Disturbances in Colorectal Cancer

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Epigenetic Therapy of Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major contributor to cancer-related death. A sequential accumulation of genetic alterations plays a central role in the development of the disease as described in the Vogelstein model of colorectal carcinogenesis. In the last two decades, however, it has become clear that CRC cells undergo major epigenetic alterations as well. Epigenetic dysregulation is organized at multiple levels and involves DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin looping, and noncoding RNAs. These modifications are associated with cancer initiation and progression and represent CRCs with clinically distinct prognosis and response to therapy. Here we outline the role of epigenetic processes in CRC carcinogenesis and the possibilities of applying epigenetic alterations as biomarker for early cancer detection and tailored treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Sarah Derks

  2. Department of Pathology, GROW – School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, 616, Maastricht, 6200, MD, The Netherlands

    Manon van Engeland

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  1. Sarah Derks
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Correspondence to Manon van Engeland .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    Michael Lübbert

  2. Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Urologic Cancer Res. Lab., University of Southern California Dept. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Peter A. Jones

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Derks, S., van Engeland, M. (2014). Epigenetic Disturbances in Colorectal Cancer. In: Lübbert, M., Jones, P. (eds) Epigenetic Therapy of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38404-2_12

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