Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer of the nasopharyngeal epithelium with distinct geographical, ethnic and racial distribution. Several genetic, ethnic and environmental risk factors, have been implicated in nasopharyngeal pathogenesis and of significance, is the Epstein - Barr virus (EBV)- latent infection observed in most patients. Patients with NPC are typically diagnosed only in advanced stages due to non-specific symptoms, and hence, they respond poorly to therapy. Currently, low survival rates, severe complications, tumour metastasis and recurrence following chemo-radiotherapy, delineate the need for better therapeutic options to combat the disease. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs, which are altered in the EBV genome as well as in the host cells, may underlie the initiation and progression of NPC. Histone acetylation and deacetylation which are mediated by enzymes, namely histone acetyl transferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), are known to regulate gene expression and several cellular processes. HDACs are also involved in maintaining the EBV latent cycle and thus, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are potent inducers of EBV reactivation, which is critical for the expression of the lytic proteins, thereby providing novel targets for therapy, as well as mediating enhanced killing of cancer cells, when used alone or along with additional anti-cancer agents in EBV associated malignancies. Recently, three FDA- approved HDACi have been used for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma, while several others are in clinical trials, making histone modifications excellent candidates for targeted therapy. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms altered in NPC, with a focus on histone modifications for targeted therapy.
Keywords: Epigenetics, DNA methylation, histone deacetylase inhibitor, histone modifications, microRNA, molecular therapy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Histone Modifications as Molecular Targets in Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Volume: 23 Issue: 2
Author(s): Sukanya Shyamasundar, S. Thameem Dheen and B. Huat Bay
Affiliation:
Keywords: Epigenetics, DNA methylation, histone deacetylase inhibitor, histone modifications, microRNA, molecular therapy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Abstract: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer of the nasopharyngeal epithelium with distinct geographical, ethnic and racial distribution. Several genetic, ethnic and environmental risk factors, have been implicated in nasopharyngeal pathogenesis and of significance, is the Epstein - Barr virus (EBV)- latent infection observed in most patients. Patients with NPC are typically diagnosed only in advanced stages due to non-specific symptoms, and hence, they respond poorly to therapy. Currently, low survival rates, severe complications, tumour metastasis and recurrence following chemo-radiotherapy, delineate the need for better therapeutic options to combat the disease. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs, which are altered in the EBV genome as well as in the host cells, may underlie the initiation and progression of NPC. Histone acetylation and deacetylation which are mediated by enzymes, namely histone acetyl transferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), are known to regulate gene expression and several cellular processes. HDACs are also involved in maintaining the EBV latent cycle and thus, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are potent inducers of EBV reactivation, which is critical for the expression of the lytic proteins, thereby providing novel targets for therapy, as well as mediating enhanced killing of cancer cells, when used alone or along with additional anti-cancer agents in EBV associated malignancies. Recently, three FDA- approved HDACi have been used for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma, while several others are in clinical trials, making histone modifications excellent candidates for targeted therapy. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms altered in NPC, with a focus on histone modifications for targeted therapy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Shyamasundar Sukanya, Thameem Dheen S. and Bay B. Huat, Histone Modifications as Molecular Targets in Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 23 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666151106125631
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666151106125631 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Advances in Translational Pharmacological Investigations in Identifying and Validating Molecular Targets of Natural Product Anticancer Agents
Current Cancer Drug Targets Surface Markers of Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumors
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy NF-κB Blockers Gifted by Mother Nature: Prospectives in Cancer Cell Chemosensitization
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Co-regulatory Role of 5-Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenase-2 in the Carcinogenesis and their Promotion by Cigarette Smoking in Colons
Current Medicinal Chemistry Rapid Nucleic Acid Reaction Circuits for Point-of-care Diagnosis of Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry dUTPase in Human Neoplastic Cells as a Potential Target for Therapeutic Intervention
Current Protein & Peptide Science In Vivo Application and Tracking of Baculovirus
Current Gene Therapy Contemporary Review of Drugs Used to Treat Obesity
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Patents and Emerging Therapeutics in the Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Formulation, Characterisation and In vitro Cytotoxic Effect of Lens culinaris Medikus Seeds Extract Loaded Chitosan Microspheres
Current Molecular Pharmacology Raman Spectroscopy-based Metabonomics of HIV-infected Sera Detects Amino Acid and Glutathione Changes
Current Metabolomics Emerging Molecular Functions of MicroRNA-9: Cancer Pathology and Therapeutic Implications
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Immunosuppressant Drugs and Covid-19: Associated Risks, Drug-Drug Interactions and Contraindications
Coronaviruses Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Tumor-Targeted Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Radiation Therapy in the Early 21st Century: Technological Advances
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Cellular Senescence-Inducing Small Molecules for Cancer Treatment
Current Cancer Drug Targets ROS-Responsive Nanomedicine: Towards Targeting the Breast Tumor Microenvironment
Current Medicinal Chemistry Drugs as Possible Triggers of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Literature Search - Update 2015
Current Clinical Pharmacology MicroRNAs as Cancer Biomarkers
MicroRNA Past, Present, and Future of Targeting Ras for Cancer Therapies
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry