About this Research Topic
Genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations collaborate to promote tumorigenesis and progression. However, in several pediatric and some adult cancers, somatic mutations are rare suggesting that epigenetic alterations may be the key targets in these tumors.
Epigenetic alterations are dynamic, making them druggable targets. Cancer stem cells (CSC) represent the most aggressive subpopulation endowed with self-renewal capability, therapy resistance and metastatic properties. Unveiling epigenetic alterations especially in cancer stem cell compartments that may be druggable is crucial to designing novel therapeutic strategies. Moreover, a better understanding of the epigenetic modifications may help the development of effective therapeutic approaches in other diseases not related to cancer, such as Parkinson’s. Indeed the potential of epigenetic alterations in affecting the status of stem cells is a debated concept in the regenerative medicine field. Epigenetic changes and dynamic global chromatin remodeling are crucial for the maintenance of pluripotency in stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Moreover, they are crucial in defining the lineage specification that is fundamental in regenerative medicine. Deepening the knowledge on epigenetic modifications and the compounds that have reached clinical settings may pave the way to a broad era of regenerative medicine based on the use of bioengineered stem cells.
This Research Topic welcomes manuscripts dealing with:
i) Dissecting the role of epigenetic modifications and their contribution to stemness and tumorigenesis;
ii) Reporting the most efficacious epigenetic probe/compounds that have been in clinical trials with promising results alone or in combination with standard or immune-based therapy;
iii) Defining the current knowledge on the use of bioengineered stem cells for regenerative medicine and how the epigenetic reprogramming of the normal stem cell status may affect this therapy.
iv) limitations and challenges of epigenetic drugs targeting cancer stem cells including the potential for off-target effects and the development of resistance;
v) Epigenetic drugs targeting cancer stem cells that enhance the CAR-T therapy efficacy: side effects and toxicity
Epigenetic alterations are dynamic, making them druggable targets. Cancer stem cells (CSC) represent the most aggressive subpopulation endowed with self-renewal capability, therapy resistance and metastatic properties. Unveiling epigenetic alterations especially in cancer stem cell compartments that may be druggable is crucial to designing novel therapeutic strategies. Moreover, a better understanding of the epigenetic modifications may help the development of effective therapeutic approaches in other diseases not related to cancer, such as Parkinson’s. Indeed the potential of epigenetic alterations in affecting the status of stem cells is a debated concept in the regenerative medicine field. Epigenetic changes and dynamic global chromatin remodeling are crucial for the maintenance of pluripotency in stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Moreover, they are crucial in defining the lineage specification that is fundamental in regenerative medicine. Deepening the knowledge on epigenetic modifications and the compounds that have reached clinical settings may pave the way to a broad era of regenerative medicine based on the use of bioengineered stem cells.
This Research Topic welcomes manuscripts dealing with:
i) Dissecting the role of epigenetic modifications and their contribution to stemness and tumorigenesis;
ii) Reporting the most efficacious epigenetic probe/compounds that have been in clinical trials with promising results alone or in combination with standard or immune-based therapy;
iii) Defining the current knowledge on the use of bioengineered stem cells for regenerative medicine and how the epigenetic reprogramming of the normal stem cell status may affect this therapy.
iv) limitations and challenges of epigenetic drugs targeting cancer stem cells including the potential for off-target effects and the development of resistance;
v) Epigenetic drugs targeting cancer stem cells that enhance the CAR-T therapy efficacy: side effects and toxicity
Keywords: Epigenetics, cancer stem cells, therapy, therapy resistance
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
