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Assignment sample solution of BIO503 - Molecular Biology of Diseases

The Role of Epigenetics in Cancer Progression

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Biology Assignment Sample

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Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression without alterations in the DNA sequence, primarily involving DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. These mechanisms regulate gene activity and are implicated in cancer progression.

In cancer, epigenetic modifications disrupt normal cellular processes, promoting uncontrolled growth. For example, hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes like TP53 silences their expression, while hypomethylation of oncogenes enhances their activity. Histone modifications also contribute by altering chromatin structure, making DNA more or less accessible for transcription. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and are often dysregulated in cancers.
Epigenetic therapies, including DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (e.g., azacitidine) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., vorinostat), show promise in reversing aberrant epigenetic changes. However, challenges like therapy resistance and off-target effects remain. Ongoing research focuses on integrating epigenetic profiling with personalized medicine to develop more effective cancer treatments.