2024-04-24 15:27:17
Finding calls into question the role of genetic mutations in cancer, suggesting that epigenetics may be behind the disease. This opens up new therapeutic avenues and underlines the continued importance of studying the genome in oncology.
The study of the genome is not complete. Until today, genetic mutations were thought to be essential to the process of causing cancer, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. But a research team has made a major discovery while considering this question, which has opened up new therapeutic avenues i. oncologyoncology. What if cancer had its origins in epigenetics?
Epigenetics at the initiation of tumors
Epigenetics brings together all the modifications in the regulation of gene expression. They are the ones that explain, for example, why, from an identical genome, a person can develop very diverse cells, such as neurons, skin cells… a research team including CNRS scientists, published on April 24 in the magazine nature. To reach this conclusion, the research team looked at epigenetic factors that could change gene activity DrosophilaDrosophila. They interfered with these factors, then restored the normal state of the cells, and found that part of the genome was still dysfunctional, which led to a state. attractiveattractive continuous, autonomous and progressive, and keeping in mind the cancer status of the cells even though the signal of initiation has been repaired.
If studies have already drawn attention to the influence of epigenetics on the development of tumors, this is the first time it has been shown that DNA mutations – which accumulate at the level of the genome – are not essential for the appearance of cancer. In other words, this discovery shows that genetic processes are not necessarily completely capable of appearance and development. tumortumorthus opening the way to new therapeutic avenues.
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