DNA Methylation in Cancer Development and Progression

Dear Colleagues, 

DNA methylation and histone modifications are crucial mechanisms governing chromatin architecture and genome stability. Epigenetic changes can contribute to the development of numerous diseases including neuro-degenerative, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In fact, it is well established that the hypermethylation of CpG islands is frequently associated with tumor suppressor silencing. Indeed, numerous studies investigating loci-specific and genome-wide DNA methylation profiles have revealed multiple promoter-associated CpG islands that consistently undergo aberrant DNA hypermethylation during cellular transformation. However, global DNA hypomethylation in cancer is thought to contribute to genomic instability and favors aneuploidy, both common features of cancer genomes. The “epigenetic chaos” that characterize tumor development, should be exhaustively defined. Numerous actors are involved and the role of many of these are still poorly known.

In this Special Issue, “DNA Methylation in Cancer Development and Progression”, we would like to host reports of novel findings as well as reviews of the current knowledge regarding the epigenetic mechanisms  involved in cancer transformation and progresses in the characterization of novel epigenetic signatures for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications.

Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Chiariotti
Dr. Rosa Della Monica
Guest Editors

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