Predicting response to epigenetic therapy

J Clin Invest. 2014 Jan;124(1):47-55. doi: 10.1172/JCI69737. Epub 2014 Jan 2.

Abstract

Drugs targeting the epigenome are new promising cancer treatment modalities; however, not all patients receive the same benefit from these drugs. In contrast to conventional chemotherapy, responses may take several months after the initiation of treatment to occur. Accordingly, identification of good pretreatment predictors of response is of great value. Many clinical parameters and molecular targets have been tested in preclinical and clinical studies with varying results, leaving room for optimization. Here we provide an overview of markers that may predict the efficacy of FDA- and EMA-approved epigenetic drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors