The Role Of Dna Methylation On Breast Cancer - 2323 Words

BMS3003 Essay Epigenetics: The Role of DNA Methylation in Breast Cancer The epigenetic profile of BC cancer cells is very different from that of normal breast cells. Epigenetic changes bring about cancer via the ‘switching off’ of TSGs and the ‘switching on’ of oncogenes, which may happen separately or simultaneously. Advances in our knowledge and in technology used to analyse DNA methylation could hold the key for a better way of treating BC, by personalizing treatment to reduce side effects of potent anti-cancer drugs. DNA methylation, has two main types; hypo-methylation and hyper-methylation. Here, hyper-methylation and hypo-methylation of some TSGs and oncogenes and possible treatments are discussed. Introduction Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer type in women, over fifty thousand new cases of invasive BC were diagnosed in the UK in 2013 (Cancer Research UK, 2016). It is well known that genetic abnormalities lead to cancer and three main groups of genetic predisposition alleles have been identified; high risk, moderate risk and low risk (Lalloo and Evans, 2012). Some high risk genes including BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 carry a 40-85% lifetime risk of developing BC (Lalloo and Evans, 2012). Development of cancer can also result from epigenetic alterations (Esteller, 2008). Epigenetics is defined as â€Å"the inherited genome activity that does not depend on the naked DNA sequence† (Esteller, 2011). Epigenetic modifications include changes in DNA methylation, histoneShow MoreRelatedThe Role Of Epigenetics And Genetics, Research Of Epigenetics, And Diseases Associated With Epigenetics Essay773 Words   |  4 PagesRole of Epigenetics The research of epigenetics has evolved from the twentieth century from two scientists including Conrad H. Waddington and Ernst Hadorn who combined genetics and biology. There was an interest in this study in the 1990s. 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