Epigenetic Modifications for Cancer Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer, a consequence of accumulative genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations, remains a formidable global human health threat due to its incurable nature. Over the past two decades, our understanding of mechanisms and roles of epigenetics in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis has significantly expanded. Epigenetics, including DNA and RNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, chromatin remodelers, and non-coding RNA regulation, play critical roles in many various cancer types by regulating the expression and activity of many oncogenes and tumor suppressors without DNA sequence alteration. Given the importance of epigenetic modifications in cancers, epigenetic therapy has become an attractive strategy. While DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for cancer treatment, numerous other epi-drugs, such as chromatin-remodeling factors, are currently undergoing clinical trials. However, challenges persist with side effects and resistance in the application of epi-drugs for cancer treatment. Epigenetic modifications in metabolism reprogramming, cancer immunology, and tumor microenvironment are being currently researched. Discovering novel epi-drugs with specificity and safety and exploring combinations with other anti-cancer therapies including tumor metabolism control, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, emerge as a pivotal frontier in epigenetics.

The Special Issue aims to focus on the latest advancements in the field of novel epigenetic therapies and epigenetic modifications for cancer, especially in metabolic reprogramming and the immune system. This Special Issue also seeks to explore further possibilities for epigenetic therapy in cancers. We invite submissions of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on all relevant topics. Studies that include novel epi-drugs, new epigenetic modifications and mechanisms, and epigenetic-related combination therapies will be prioritized.

Dr. Shasha Yin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• cancer
• epigenetics
• DNA methylation
• RNA methylation
• histone modifications
• non-coding RNAs
• chromatin remodelers
• regulator of epigenetics
• epigenetics in metabolic reprogramming
• epi-drugs