Epigenetics:Mechanisms,potential roles,and therapeutic strategies in cancer progression

Mutations or abnormal expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are known to cause cancer.Recent studies have shown that epigenetic modifications are key drivers of cancer development and progression.Nevertheless,the mechanistic role of epigenetic dysregulation in the tumor microenvironment is not fully understood.Here,we reviewed the role of epigenetic modifications of cancer cells and non-cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment and recent research advances in cancer epigenetic drugs.In addition,we discussed the great potential of epigenetic combination therapies in the clinical treatment of cancer.However,there are still some challenges in the field of cancer epigenetics,such as epigenetic tumor heterogeneity,epigenetic drug heterogeneity,and crosstalk between epigenetics,proteomics,metabolomics,and other omics,which may be the focus and difficulty of cancer treatment in the future.In conclusion,epigenetic modifications in the tumor microenvironment are essential for future epigenetic drug development and the comprehensive treatment of cancer.Epigenetic combination therapy may be a novel strategy for the future clinical treatment of cancer.

Metagenomic and targeted metabolomic analyses reveal distinct phenotypes of the gut microbiota in patients with colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background:Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer(CRC),and the patients with CRC and T2DM have worse survival.The human gut microbiota(GM)is linked to the development of CRC and T2DM,respectively.However,the GM characteristics in patients with CRC and T2DM remain unclear.Methods:We performed fecal metagenomic and targeted metabolomics studies on 36 samples from CRC patients with T2DM(DCRC group,n=12),CRC patients without diabetes(CRC group,n=12),and healthy controls(Health group,n=12).We analyzed the fecal microbiomes,characterized the composition and function based on the metagenomics of DCRC patients,and detected the short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)and bile acids(BAs)levels in all fecal samples.Finally,we performed a correlation analysis of the differential bacteria and metabolites between different groups.Results:Compared with the CRC group,LefSe analysis showed that there is a specific GM community in DCRC group,including an increased abundance of Eggerthella,Hungatella,Peptostreptococcus,and Parvimonas,and decreased Butyricicoccus,Lactobacillus,and Paraprevotella.The metabolomics analysis results revealed that the butyric acid level was lower but the deoxycholic acid and 12-keto-lithocholic acid levels were higher in the DCRC group than other groups(P<0.05).The correlation analysis showed that the dominant bacterial abundance in the DCRC group(Parvimonas,Desulfurispora,Sebaldella,and Veillonellales,among others)was negatively correlated with butyric acid,hyodeoxycholic acid,ursodeoxycholic acid,glycochenodeoxycholic acid,chenodeoxycholic acid,cholic acid and glycocholate.However,the abundance of mostly inferior bacteria was positively correlated with these metabolic acid levels,including Faecalibacterium,Thermococci,and Cellulophaga.Conclusions:Unique fecal microbiome signatures exist in CRC patients with T2DM compared to those with non-diabetic CRC.Alterations in GM composition and SCFAs and secondary BAs levels may promote CRC development.