Epigenetic abnormalities, such as aberrant methylation of CpG islands, are inherited over cell
divisions, and play important roles in carcinogenesis. Aberrant methylation ofCpGislands specific
to tumor cells can be used as a marker to detect cancer cells or cancer-derived DNA, taking
advantage of the high sensitivity of methods to detect aberrant methylation. Methylations of
specific genes or methylation patterns of groups of genes were found to be associated with
responses to chemotherapeutics and prognosis. Methylation in non-cancerous tissues is now
attracting attention as a tumor risk marker, and is emerging as a target for cancer prevention.
Epigenetic alterations are potentially reversible. The use ofDNAdemethylating agents has turned
out to be effective for hematological malignancies, and is being tested in solid tumors. Histone
deacetylase inhibitors and methods for gene-specific epigenetic modification are being
developed. Application of epigenetics to cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, and possibly to
cancer prevention, is coming into clinics.
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