Cancer epigenetics

DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic mark in mammals. The maintenance of this mark relies on two key proteins: DNMT1 and UHRF1. Here the authors show that, beyond activating DNMT1, UHRF1 has crucial regulatory functions in cancer cells.

Metastasis arises from disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) while the underlying mechanism of DTCs plasticity remains underexplored. Here, the authors show that spatially organized oncogenic enhancers on chromatin sustain the establishment of retinoic acid (RA)-stimulated transcriptional memory through activation of SOX9, supporting the escape of quiescent DTCs from NK-mediated immune surveillance.

The downstream molecular mechanisms following the activation of the NF-κB pathway in multiple myeloma (MM) remain to be characterised. Here, it is shown that aberrant non-canonical NF-κB signalling causes epigenomic reprogramming leading to transcriptional changes that favour MM progression.

The regulatory landscape of malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) due to SMARCB1 loss remains to be explored. Here, the authors perform multi-omics analysis using patient-derived MRT organoids and characterise the epigenetic reprogramming events underlying SMARCB1 loss.

The molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) characteristics are unclear. Here, the authors identify the histone methyltransferase KMT2A as a binding partner of the PHF5A-PHF14-HMG20A-RAI1 protein subcomplex and an epigenetic regulator of the PCSCs characteristics and show the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis in pancreatic cancer.

Previous studies have reported MLL-AF4 binding at intragenic and intergenic enhancers, however, the role of MLL-AF4 in enhancer function remains to be investigated. Here, the authors show that MLL-AF4 cooperates with PAF1 and FACT at enhancers to promote high-density interactions with oncogene promoters in leukemia.

The role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in glioblastoma brain tumour stem cells (BTSCs) remains to be explored. Here, pharmacological inhibition and genetic loss of function approaches show that HDAC2 leads to the maintenance of BTSC growth and self-renewal through its association with the components of the TGF-β signalling pathway.

The epigenetic mechanisms underlying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are not fully elucidated. Here, the authors reveal a druggable super-enhancer-mediated RNA-binding protein cascade that supports PDAC growth through enhanced mRNA translation.

The functional link between MYC and CTCF in prostate cancer remains to be investigated. Here, the authors highlight the role of MYC in rewiring chromatin architecture by interacting with CTCF protein.

The development of neuroblastoma (NB) is regulated by multiple core transcription factors. Here, SOX11 is identified as a potential epigenetic master regulator upstream of the core regulatory circuitry in adrenergic high-risk neuroblastoma.

DNA methylation from cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can be profiled using whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Here, the authors develop a computational method, FinaleMe, that predicts DNA methylation and tissues of-origin in cfDNA and validate its performance using paired deep and shallow-coverage whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and WGBS data.

Epigenetic regulators are potential therapeutic drug targets in leukemia. Here, the authors perform combinatorial CRISPR knockouts to test gene-gene pairings in leukemia cells to discover compensatory non-lethal or synergistic lethal combinations with therapeutic potential.

The role of protein arginine methylation in serine metabolism of cancer cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be explored. Here, the authors show that phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is activated by PRMT1-mediated R236 methylation, promoting serine synthesis, redox homeostasis and HCC growth.

The molecular mechanisms underlying relapse in pediatric B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients remain to be explored. Here, the authors characterise the chromatin accessibility landscape of B-ALL and identify subtype and drug response specific patterns.

Sahm et al. evaluate clinical, imaging, and molecular data from a small cohort of patients with concurrent multiple sclerosis (MS) and gliomas. They report differential methylation of some immune-related loci in tumors from patients with MS, and that inflammatory disease activity can increase in these patients after brain tumor radiotherapy.