Epigenetic mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy resistance in estrogen-receptor (ER+) breast cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2024 Mar 20:189097. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189097. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEstrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most frequent breast cancer subtype. Agents targeting the ER signaling pathway have been successful in reducing mortality from breast cancer for decades. However, mechanisms of resistance to these treatments arise, especially in the metastatic setting. Recently, it has been recognized that epigenetic dysregulation is a common feature that facilitates the acquisition of cancer hallmarks across cancer types, including ER+ breast cancer. Alterations in epigenetic regulators and transcription factors coupled with changes to the chromatin landscape have been found to orchestrate breast oncogenesis, metastasis, and the development of a resistant phenotype. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how the epigenome dictates breast cancer tumorigenesis and resistance to targeted therapies and discuss potential new therapeutic interventions for overcoming resistance.PMID:38518961 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189097
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Source Type: research