Epigenetic Therapy Cancer Treatment Proposal 1

Epigenetic Therapy Cancer Treatment Proposal

Jason Iposada

Chicago Academy High School

Ms. Koya
May 30, 2016

Epigenetic Therapy Cancer Treatment Proposal 2

Cancer is a devastating product of biology and is unfortunately one of the leading causes of death
in the world. Various cancer treatments are present due to advanced technological development of
medical products. These treatments include: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or targeted therapy,
immunotherapy, and other radiated or chemically based treatments. Cancer is caused by the division of
uncontrolled cells through parts of the human body. These treatments ultimately inhibit or destroy the
cancer cells, but they do not reverse the effects of the growth.
Recently, a new treatment has been developed but it is still under clinical trial. This is known as
epigenetic therapy. The science of epigenetics can be known as the software of the cell. Rather than
focusing on the genetic code, epigenetic focuses on modification with gene expression (What is
Epigenetics?, 2014). Epigenetic therapy involves the use of epigenome influencing techniques altering the
gene expression of the cancer gene, creating a reverse effect on multiplying cancer cell population. (Yoo
and Jones, 2006). In a recent clinical trial, epigenetic therapy was able to silence the MUPDCH gene
(mucin-like protocadherin gene) which acts as the promotor for ADPKD, also known as autosomal
dominant polycystic disease (Hwang, 2015). Hypermethylation of MUPDCH promoter induces the
transcriptional repression and increases cell proliferation in ADPKD.
Another prime example of epigenetics playing a role towards cancer treatment is the AP-2
transcription factor gene. AP-2 transcription factor genes involve tumorigenesis in which AP-2 genes can
act as suppressors in melanomas (tumor forming cells) and mammary carcinomas (Eckhart and Buhl, n.d;
Orso, Fassetta, and Penna, 2007). Evidence displayed that the function of AP-2 protein in apoptosis and
migration significantly decreased chemotherapy induced apoptosis, migration, and production of
melanomas (Orso et al, 2007).
Funding for this project would be monumental. Ultimately, it would potentially create a cure for
cancer. With the proof done with MUDCHP gene and the AP-2 transcription factor gene on cancer cells,
epigenetic treatments demonstrate prominent results. Epigenetics is still a new biological phenomenon

Epigenetic Therapy Cancer Treatment Proposal 3

that has many hidden secrets. Funding would be purposed towards research regarding genes that can
chemically silence and/or reverse cancer cell division. Like MUDCHP and AP-2, other silencing genes
are still hidden and may play a role towards the reversal of cancer. Epigenetics can be the cure for cancer.
The SUC2 Dream Team is a group of doctors and scientists led by Peter A. Jones, Ph.D, and
Stephen B. Baylin, M.D., that dedicate their work and research on finding new gene silencing epigenomes
and techniques that can be issued towards epigenetic cancer treatments (What is Epigenetics?, 2014).
With a team devoted towards epigenetic therapy, involving the SUC2 Dream Team would be a great feat
and a step closer towards the end of cancer. This project would hold similarity to the Human Genome
Project, a project that involved finding the chemical base pairs that made up human DNA; however, this
project would be involved in finding the gene silencing genomes.
Funding this project would be a significant step towards the eradication of biologys most
destructive product. The possibilities that epigenetic therapy can hold is endless.

Epigenetic Therapy Cancer Treatment Proposal 4

References
Bringing Epigenetic Therapy to the Forefront of Cancer Management. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30,
2016 from https://www.standup2cancer.org/dream_teams/view/
bringing_epigenetic_therapy_to_the_forefront_of_cancer_management
Orso, F., Fassetta, M., Penna, E., Solero, A., Filippo, K. D., Sismondi, P., . . . Taverna, D. (n.d.).
The AP-2a Transcription Factor Regulates Tumor Cell Migration and Apoptosis.
Advances In Experimental Medicine And Biology Advances in Molecular Oncology,
87-95. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-69116-9_6
Promise and Progress - The Story of Epigenetics. (2014, July 16). Retrieved May 30, 2016 from
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/promise_progress/
reprogramming_cancer_cells___the_story_of_epigenetics/the_story_of_epigenetics
Transcription Factor AP-2 Alpha (Activating Enhancer Binding Protein 2 Alpha). (n.d.).
Retrieved May 30, 2016, from http://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?
gene=TFAP2A
Yoo, C. B., & Jones, P. A. (2006). Epigenetic therapy of cancer: Past, present and future. Nature
Reviews Drug Discovery Nat Rev Drug Discov, 5(1), 37-50. doi:10.1038/nrd1930