Epigenetic regulators and the epigenetic therapies for cancer
Epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role in cancer evolution and progression by driving phenotypic transitions, metastatic dissemination, and the emergence of treatment resistance. We investigate the contribution of epigenetic processes to cancers such as prostate and liver cancer, with particular emphasis on diverse epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulators, including histone-modifying enzymes, noncoding RNAs, microRNAs, and RNA-binding proteins, as potential therapeutic targets.
Our goal is to identify and exploit epigenetic vulnerabilities to counteract cancer cell plasticity and therapy resistance. To this end, we evaluate novel epigenetic-targeted agents designed to inhibit key epigenetic and transcriptional regulators. By integrating complementary molecular and cellular approaches with clinically relevant in vitro and in vivo models, we aim to identify critical regulatory mechanisms and promising therapeutic agents.
We are currently investigating clinical-stage inhibitors of epigenetic regulators in preclinical models of prostate and liver cancer, focusing on their ability to reprogram the cancer cell transcriptome, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and prevent or delay treatment failure.
