Epigenetics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact on Biology and Utilization in Diagnostics and Treatment

Overview

Journal Cancers (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Oncology

Date 2022 Dec 11

PMID 36497404

Authors

Asmaa Elrakaybi

Dietrich A Ruess

Michael Lubbert

Michael Quante

Heiko Becker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

Citing Articles

Targeting of the G9a, DNMT1 and UHRF1 epigenetic complex as an effective strategy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Oyon D, Lopez-Pascual A, Castello-Uribe B, Uriarte I, Orsi G, Llorente S J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2025; 44(1):13.

PMID: 39810240 PMC: 11734372. DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03268-5.

Novel Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitor Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses Invasion via E-Cadherin Upregulation in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Schiedlauske K, Deipenbrock A, Pflieger M, Hamacher A, Hansel J, Kassack M Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024; 17(6).

PMID: 38931419 PMC: 11206922. DOI: 10.3390/ph17060752.

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC): A Review of Recent Advancements Enabled by Artificial Intelligence.

Mukund A, Afridi M, Karolak A, Park M, Permuth J, Rasool G Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(12).

PMID: 38927945 PMC: 11201559. DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122240.

Promoter hypermethylation of SFRP1 as a prognostic and potentially predictive blood-based biomarker in patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Stubbe B, Larsen A, Madsen P, Krarup H, Pedersen I, Lundbye-Christensen S Front Oncol. 2023; 13:1211292.

PMID: 37333823 PMC: 10272559. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1211292.

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