Leveraging epigenetics to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy

Clinical Epigenetics

Jonathan D. Licht¹  Richard L. Bennett¹ 

[1] Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Cancer Genetics Research Complex, University of Florida, Box 103633, 2033 Mowry Road, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA;

关键词: Epigenetic therapy;    Immune evasion;    Immunotherapy;    DNA methylation;    Histone methyltransferase;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13148-021-01100-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEpigenetic mechanisms regulate chromatin accessibility patterns that govern interaction of transcription machinery with genes and their cis-regulatory elements. Mutations that affect epigenetic mechanisms are common in cancer. Because epigenetic modifications are reversible many anticancer strategies targeting these mechanisms are currently under development and in clinical trials.Main bodyHere we review evidence suggesting that epigenetic therapeutics can deactivate immunosuppressive gene expression or reprogram tumor cells to activate antigen presentation mechanisms. In addition, the dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms commonly observed in cancer may alter the immunogenicity of tumor cells and effectiveness of immunotherapies.ConclusionsTherapeutics targeting epigenetic mechanisms may be helpful to counter immune evasion and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY