The development of novel cancer therapies through the use of epigenetic drugs

Epigenetic drugs can target epigenetic modifications to control or cure cancer. Epigenetic modifiers have been found to be particularly effective against cancer stem cells, which are the cells that are most likely to relapse and metastasize.

One class of epigenetic drugs is the small molecule inhibitors of DNA methylation. These drugs bind to the enzyme that catalyzes the addition of a methyl group to the cytosine base of DNA, and thereby inhibit the expression of target genes.

Another class of epigenetic drugs is the small molecule inhibitors of histone methylation. These drugs bind to the enzyme that catalyzes the addition of a methyl group to the histone protein, and thereby inhibit the binding of histones to DNA.

Epigenetic drugs have been found to be effective against a wide range of cancer types, including ovarian, pancreatic, liver, and brain cancer. However, they have not been found to be as effective as traditional cancer therapies. Epigenetic drugs are currently being studied as potential cancer therapies for a variety of cancers, including colon, lung, and breast cancer.