Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with high potential of metastases and therapeutic resistance. Although genetic mutations drive PDAC initiation, they alone do not explain its aggressive nature. Epigenetic mechanisms, including aberrant DNA methylatio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-11-01
|
| Series: | Cancers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/23/5926 |
| _version_ | 1797463515550711808 |
|---|---|
| author | Asmaa Elrakaybi Dietrich A. Ruess Michael Lübbert Michael Quante Heiko Becker |
| author_facet | Asmaa Elrakaybi Dietrich A. Ruess Michael Lübbert Michael Quante Heiko Becker |
| author_sort | Asmaa Elrakaybi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with high potential of metastases and therapeutic resistance. Although genetic mutations drive PDAC initiation, they alone do not explain its aggressive nature. Epigenetic mechanisms, including aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications, significantly contribute to inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity, disease progression and metastasis. Thus, increased understanding of the epigenetic landscape in PDAC could offer new potential biomarkers and tailored therapeutic approaches. In this review, we shed light on the role of epigenetic modifications in PDAC biology and on the potential clinical applications of epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsy. In addition, we provide an overview of clinical trials assessing epigenetically targeted treatments alone or in combination with other anticancer therapies to improve outcomes of patients with PDAC. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:51:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eb138b74b59b44c9a7ed5af4df239ec9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6694 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:51:49Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cancers |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb138b74b59b44c9a7ed5af4df239ec92023-11-24T10:40:52ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942022-11-011423592610.3390/cancers14235926Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and TreatmentAsmaa Elrakaybi0Dietrich A. Ruess1Michael Lübbert2Michael Quante3Heiko Becker4Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, GermanyGerman Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, GermanyPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with high potential of metastases and therapeutic resistance. Although genetic mutations drive PDAC initiation, they alone do not explain its aggressive nature. Epigenetic mechanisms, including aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications, significantly contribute to inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity, disease progression and metastasis. Thus, increased understanding of the epigenetic landscape in PDAC could offer new potential biomarkers and tailored therapeutic approaches. In this review, we shed light on the role of epigenetic modifications in PDAC biology and on the potential clinical applications of epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsy. In addition, we provide an overview of clinical trials assessing epigenetically targeted treatments alone or in combination with other anticancer therapies to improve outcomes of patients with PDAC.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/23/5926pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaepigeneticscfDNA methylationDNMT inhibitorsHDAC inhibitorsretinoids |
| spellingShingle | Asmaa Elrakaybi Dietrich A. Ruess Michael Lübbert Michael Quante Heiko Becker Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment Cancers pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma epigenetics cfDNA methylation DNMT inhibitors HDAC inhibitors retinoids |
| title | Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment |
| title_full | Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment |
| title_short | Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment |
| title_sort | epigenetics in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma impact on biology and utilization in diagnostics and treatment |
| topic | pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma epigenetics cfDNA methylation DNMT inhibitors HDAC inhibitors retinoids |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/23/5926 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT asmaaelrakaybi epigeneticsinpancreaticductaladenocarcinomaimpactonbiologyandutilizationindiagnosticsandtreatment AT dietricharuess epigeneticsinpancreaticductaladenocarcinomaimpactonbiologyandutilizationindiagnosticsandtreatment AT michaellubbert epigeneticsinpancreaticductaladenocarcinomaimpactonbiologyandutilizationindiagnosticsandtreatment AT michaelquante epigeneticsinpancreaticductaladenocarcinomaimpactonbiologyandutilizationindiagnosticsandtreatment AT heikobecker epigeneticsinpancreaticductaladenocarcinomaimpactonbiologyandutilizationindiagnosticsandtreatment |