Epigenetic regulation of angiogenesis in lung cancer

J Cell Physiol. 2021 May;236(5):3194-3206. doi: 10.1002/jcp.30104. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, in which angiogenesis is highly required for lung cancer cell growth and metastasis. Genetic regulation of this multistep process is being studied extensively, however, relatively less is known about the epigenetic regulation of angiogenesis in lung cancer. Several epigenetic alterations contribute to regulating angiogenesis, such as epimodifications of DNA, posttranslational modification of histones, and expression of noncoding RNAs. Here, we review the current knowledge of the epigenetic regulation of angiogenesis and discuss the potential clinical applications of epigenetic-based anticancer therapy in lung cancer. Overall, epigenetic-based therapy will likely emerge as a prominent approach to treat lung cancer in the future.

Keywords: DNA methylation; angiogenesis; histone modification; lung cancer; ncRNA expression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*