Breast Cancer Epigenetics

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of breast cancer are far from being understood. It is obvious that the initiation of breast cancer as well as its transition toward distinct breast cancer subtypes is activated by the accumulation of pathologically altered gene function. Multiple processes including noncoding RNAs, covalent modifications of chromatin, physical alterations in nucleosomal positioning, and DNA methylation act synergistically to extend silencing over genomic regions in a progressive way. It is now apparent that these different alterations that play a crucial role in normal and abnormal growth are strongly interconnected. Understanding the mechanisms governing these epigenetic processes and their interconnections will help the development of novel breast cancer therapeutics with little or no adverse effects. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.