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Epigenetic alterations and their clinical implications in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

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Abstract

Alterations in the regulation of gene expression that do not involve a change in the DNA sequence have been increasingly recognized as an important key event of carcinogenesis, referred to as “epigenetic” changes. Major epigenetic mechanisms include the methylation of cytosines in DNA, changes of histone and chromatin structure by covalent posttranslational modifications of histone proteins and alterations in the expression of microRNAs. These epigenetic alterations have also been identified in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this brief review, we will discuss DNA hypermethylation of the tumor suppressor gene promoters, histone modifications including histone acetylation/deacetylation and histone methylation and microRNAs in ESCC. Clinical implications of these epigenetic alterations in ESCC will be also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Kyushu Cancer Center, 3-1-1 Notame, Minami-ku, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan

    Yasushi Toh, Akinori Egashira & Manabu Yamamoto

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  1. Yasushi Toh
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  2. Akinori Egashira
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  3. Manabu Yamamoto
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Correspondence to Yasushi Toh.

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The review was submitted at the invitation of the editorial committee.

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Toh, Y., Egashira, A. & Yamamoto, M. Epigenetic alterations and their clinical implications in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 61, 262–269 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-013-0235-3

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