Title:Transforming Cancer Epigenetics Using Nutritive Approaches and Noncoding RNAs
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Centdrika R. Dates and Trygve O. Tollefsbol*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294,United States
Keywords:
Cancer, epigenetics, non-coding RNA, nutrition, prevention, targets, therapy.
Abstract: Cancer is considered one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Although preventive
strategies, early detection, and improved treatment options have been developed, novel targets
and therapeutics are still needed. Since concluding that cancer is mediated by genetic and epigenetic alterations
of the cell, many research groups are now focusing on other means of prevention and therapy
via nutrition, epigenetic mechanisms, and non-coding RNAs which have been shown to control gene
expression and have many different functions at the cellular level. With the advent of high-throughput
sequencing in human cancer, the potential to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets of disease
has increased tremendously and led to the identification of many non-coding RNAs that are dysregulated
in various cancers. Gene expression and regulation is important in maintaining the homeostasis
of normal tissues and cells. Not uncommonly, up- or down-regulation of particular genes are associated
with cancer as a result of increased or decreased expression of transcriptional targets. This review
focuses on the role of nutrition in cancer and the dysregulation of non-coding RNAs with particular
emphasis on long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs in different cancer types.