About this Research Topic

Background

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers globally, posing significant challenges despite advancements in therapeutic interventions. A critical issue in the management of breast cancer is the occurrence of metastasis and the development of drug or endocrine resistance, which significantly diminishes patient survival rates. The plasticity of cancer cells, driven by transcriptional regulation and epigenetic mechanisms, presents a promising avenue for therapeutic exploration. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of targeting these epigenetic alterations with small molecule inhibitors, which are currently being tested in clinical trials for solid tumors. However, the lack of specific treatments for metastatic breast cancer underscores the need for further research into the epigenetic reprogramming that facilitates aggressive disease progression. Identifying these epigenetic changes could pave the way for personalized and targeted therapies, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.

This research topic aims to explore the role of epigenetic alterations in facilitating aggressive disease or metastasis in breast cancers. The primary objective is to understand how epigenetic reprogramming contributes to cancer progression and to investigate potential epigenetic targeting approaches that could enhance the survival of breast cancer patients, particularly those with advanced disease. Key questions include identifying specific epigenetic modifications or proteins involved in metastasis and drug resistance, and determining how these can be effectively targeted to improve therapeutic outcomes.

To gather further insights into the epigenetic landscape of breast cancer, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Mechanisms of action of transcription factors and epigenetic marks in cancer progression.
- Exploration of chromatin-associated proteins and their role in metastasis.
- Genomic, proteomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic approaches to study epigenetic alterations.
- Gene-specific investigations of epigenetic modifications in breast cancer.
- In vitro and in vivo studies using physiologically relevant models to assess the impact of epigenetic changes.
- Development and testing of novel epigenetic inhibitors for therapeutic intervention.
- Insights into personalized medicine approaches targeting epigenetic vulnerabilities in breast cancer.



Descriptive studies consisting solely of bioinformatic investigation of publicly available genomic/transcriptomic/proteomic data do not fall within the scope of the section unless they are expanded and provide significant biological or mechanistic insight into the process being studied.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: epigenetic proteins, breast cancer, drug resistance, metastasis

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.

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