Review

Advances of therapy targeting epigenetic regulation for cancer

  • WEI Lan ,
  • SANG Qingqing ,
  • LIU Bingya
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  • Department of general Surgery, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China

Received date: 2025-06-25

  Online published: 2026-04-21

Abstract

The article reviewed the progress in cancer therapy targeting epigenetic regulation, introduced the basic concepts of epigenetics and its role in tumorigenesis and development. Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that occur without alterations in the DNA sequence. It precisely controls the temporal-spatial-specific expression of genes through dynamic and reversible DNA and histone modification, and non-coding RNA-mediated regulatory networks. The article discussed the mechanisms of epigenetic regulatory and chromatin remodeling, and described the abnormal manifestations of these mechanisms in tumors. Furthermore, the article reviewed the progress in drug development targeting epigenetic regulation. Finally, the article discussed the combined application of targeted epigenetic therapy with other conventional treatment modalities, and proposed future research directions and challenges.

Cite this article

WEI Lan , SANG Qingqing , LIU Bingya . Advances of therapy targeting epigenetic regulation for cancer[J]. Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice, 2026 , 31(01) : 80 -87 . DOI: 10.16139/j.1007-9610.2026.01.14

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