International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 227-238 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 227 Feature Review Open Access The Epigenetic Landscape of Colon Cancer: Role of DNA Methylatio Qunyu Hu, Guolin Zhao, Dongwei Zhang Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Haerbin, 150086, Heilongjiang, China Corresponding author: mugong0@163.com International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ijmms.2024.14.0025 Received: 16 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 20 Jul., 2024 Published: 02 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Hu et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Hu Q.Y., Zhao G.Z., and Zhang D.W., 2024, The epigenetic landscape of colon cancer: role of DNA methylatio, International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 14(4): 227-238 (doi: 10.5376/ijmms.2024.14.0025) Abstract Colon cancer, a prevalent and deadly malignancy, is driven by both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Among these, DNA methylation plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of genomic stability. This study explores the epigenetic landscape of colon cancer with a particular focus on DNA methylation. We discuss the mechanisms by which aberrant DNA methylation contributes to tumorigenesis, including the silencing of tumor suppressor genes and the activation of oncogenes. The study also highlights the potential of DNA methylation as a biomarker for early detection, prognosis, and therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence suggests that DNA methylation patterns are not only pivotal in the initiation and progression of colon cancer but also offer promising avenues for precision medicine. By integrating findings from recent studies, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of DNA methylation in colon cancer and its implications for clinical practice. Keywords Colon cancer; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Tumor suppressor genes; Oncogenes; Biomarkers; Precision medicine 1 Introduction Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, has emerged as a crucial field in understanding cancer biology. Among the various epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation is one of the most extensively studied and is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression, chromatin structure, and genome stability. In the context of cancer, aberrant DNA methylation patterns are a hallmark of tumorigenesis and have been implicated in the initiation and progression of various cancers, including colon cancer (Lay et al., 2015; Skvortsova et al., 2019; Jung et al., 2020). DNA methylation typically occurs at CpG dinucleotides and can lead to the silencing of tumor suppressor genes or the activation of oncogenes, thereby contributing to malignant transformation (Watanabe and Maekawa, 2010; Dawson and Kouzarides, 2012). In colorectal cancer (CRC), for instance, DNA methylation changes are observed early in the disease process and can serve as biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and therapeutic response (Irizarry et al., 2008; Kim et al., 2010; Jung et al., 2020). The epigenetic landscape of colon cancer is characterized by both global hypomethylation, which can lead to genomic instability, and localized hypermethylation at CpG islands, which can silence critical regulatory genes (Irizarry et al., 2008; Watanabe and Maekawa, 2010). Recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies have enabled comprehensive mapping of the DNA methylation landscape in cancer, revealing complex and dynamic changes that occur during tumorigenesis (Skvortsova et al., 2019; Dai et al., 2020). These insights have not only enhanced our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of cancer but also opened new avenues for the development of epigenetic therapies aimed at reversing aberrant methylation patterns (Dawson and Kouzarides, 2012; Liang et al., 2019). This study seeks to elucidate the complex interplay between DNA methylation and colon cancer, thereby contributing to the ongoing efforts to improve cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment through epigenetic insights. 2 Colon Cancer Overview 2.1 Epidemiology and Impact Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer (CRC), is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It represents a significant public health challenge due to its high incidence and mortality rates. The
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