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Human Cell Transformation pp 91–104Cite as

Role of Epigenetics in Cancer Initiation and Progression

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 720))

Abstract

The epigenome which comprises DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin structures and non-coding RNAs controls gene expression patterns. In cancer cells, there are aberrant changes in the epigenome. The question in cancer epigenetics is that whether these changes are the cause of cell transformation, or rather the consequence of it. We will discuss the epigenetic phenomenon in cancer, as well as the recent interests in the epigenetic reprogramming events, and their implications in the cancer stem cell theory. We will also look at the progression of cancers as they become more aggressive, with focus on the role of epigenetics in tumor metastases exemplified with the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system. Last but not least, with therapeutics intervention in mind, we will highlight the importance of balance in the design of epigenetic based anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6

    Flora Chik & Moshe Szyf

  2. Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Developmental Psychobiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Moshe Szyf

  3. Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Shafaat A. Rabbani

Authors
  1. Flora Chik
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  2. Moshe Szyf
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  3. Shafaat A. Rabbani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Flora Chik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Uniformed Services, Department of Surgery, University of the Health Sciences, South Glen Road 11455, Bethesda, 20854, Maryland, USA

    Johng S. Rhim

  2. , Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Pine Ave 687, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Richard Kremer

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Chik, F., Szyf, M., Rabbani, S.A. (2011). Role of Epigenetics in Cancer Initiation and Progression. In: Rhim, J., Kremer, R. (eds) Human Cell Transformation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 720. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0254-1_8

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