Cancer Biology and Cell Science

Epigenetics

The term "epigenetics" describes inherited knowledge that is transmitted from parent cell to daughter cell but is not encoded in the DNA sequence. While certain epigenetic alterations are a normal component of numerous biological processes, other kinds can cause disease, including cancer.

Without changing the DNA sequence, changes in gene expression result from chemical modifications of a cell's genetic material. In the recent years, scientists have discovered that epigenetic pathways are crucial to the initiation, growth, and advancement of many cancer forms. Contrary to genetic mutations, epigenetic states are frequently reversible, suggesting that medications may be used to modify them in order to obstruct the actions of cells that promote tumour growth.