Epigenetic therapy of cancer

Abstract

The development and progression of cancer involves both genetic and epigenetic changes leading to the alteration of gene expression and cell phenotype. The term “epigenetics” refers to heritable phenotypes resulting from changes in chromosomes without alterations in the primary DNA sequence.1 Chromatin is the complex ofDNA and protein that makes up the chromosome. The human genome corresponds to 3 billion base pairs of the DNA double helix, two copies of which make up to 2 m of DNA chains that have to be stored within the tiny micron-sized nucleus of each cell.