Cancer Stem Cell & Oncology Research

Epigenetics and CSC Regulation

Epigenetic modifications play a pivotal role in maintaining CSC properties, including their self-renewal and differentiation potential. This track delves into how changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs regulate the stemness of CSCs. Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is critical for identifying how CSCs evade traditional therapies and drive cancer progression. Researchers in this area explore how reversible epigenetic changes allow CSCs to adapt to different microenvironmental conditions and therapeutic pressures, leading to heterogeneity within the tumor. Epigenetic drugs, such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors, are being studied for their potential to disrupt CSC function and sensitize them to treatment, offering a new avenue for targeting CSC-driven cancers.