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Advances in Cancer Epigenetics for Precision Medicine

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2026 | Viewed by 1847

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: oncology; epigenetics; computational biology; ferroptosis; genomics; translational medicine; drug resistance; tumor microenvironment; microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
2. Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: oncology; melanoma; bioinformatics; immunotherapy; ferroptosis; DNA methylation; tumor microenvironment; cancer biomarkers; cancer treatment response
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer epigenetics has recently emerged as a fundamental regulator in precision oncology, complementing genomic profiling to provide molecular insights into mechanisms that regulate gene expression, therapeutic response, and the immune landscape. Among epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation stands out as one of the most well-established processes, with clinical implications for early diagnosis, molecular classification, and prognosis across multiple tumor types. In this field, the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, including long-read methylation profiling and single-cell epigenomic approaches, has significantly enhanced our understanding of the interplay between methylation dynamics and the tumor microenvironment. These advances have uncovered novel aberrant methylation signatures and potential targets that can be exploited therapeutically. However, key challenges remain, including the lack of standardized analytical frameworks for the analysis of methylation data and the translation of complex methylation patterns into robust clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

This Special Issue, “Advances in Cancer Epigenetics for Precision Medicine”, aims to address this gap by showcasing cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies based on epigenetic mechanisms, especially DNA methylation, to improve cancer diagnosis and therapy for personalized cancer care. It will contain original research articles, including in silico studies, in vitro and in vivo experiments, as well as literature reviews.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Alessandro Lavoro
Dr. Saverio Candido
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cancer epigenetics
  • DNA methylation
  • precision medicine
  • cancer biomarker
  • therapeutic target
  • epidrugs

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

20 pages, 1265 KB  
Review
From Epigenetic Dysregulation to Therapeutic Reprogramming in Endometrial Cancer: A State–Response Framework for Treatment Resistance
by Manyata Srivastava, Shishir Singh, Pratik Kumar, Neha Moond, Ankita Chouhan, Komal Mann, Sarita Kumari, Monisha Banerjee and Atar Singh Kushwah
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(10), 4371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104371 - 14 May 2026
Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease, yet current treatment strategies often fail to explain why tumors with similar molecular profiles respond differently or develop resistance. This gap points to regulatory mechanisms beyond static genomic alterations. Epigenetic dysregulation through DNA [...] Read more.
Endometrial cancer (EC) is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease, yet current treatment strategies often fail to explain why tumors with similar molecular profiles respond differently or develop resistance. This gap points to regulatory mechanisms beyond static genomic alterations. Epigenetic dysregulation through DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA (ncRNAs) networks acts as a dynamic and reversible system that governs how tumors adapt under therapeutic pressure. In EC, alterations affecting key regulators such as MLH1, PTEN, and hormone receptors directly influence sensitivity to immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and endocrine treatment, defining treatment-responsive and treatment-resistant states. These observations shift the role of epigenetics from a descriptive feature of tumor biology to a determinant of therapeutic behaviour. Epigenetic states influence immune recognition, pathway activation, and cell cycle control, thereby shaping response to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Biomarkers derived from these alterations, including methylation signatures and circulating RNAs, offer opportunities for patient stratification and longitudinal monitoring of treatment response. Therapeutically, targeting epigenetic regulators provides a strategy to reverse resistance and restore treatment sensitivity. DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, particularly in combination with established therapies, have shown potential to enhance treatment efficacy. Emerging approaches, including locus-specific epigenetic editing and liquid biopsy–guided monitoring, further support adaptive treatment strategies. Integrating epigenetic reprogramming into clinical decision-making offers a practical path toward improving treatment response and overcoming resistance in EC. Here, we propose an Epigenetic State–Response Framework (ESRF) in which dynamic epigenetic states define treatment-sensitive and resistant phenotypes, map to specific therapeutic vulnerabilities, and can be actively reprogrammed to restore treatment response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cancer Epigenetics for Precision Medicine)
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