Epigenetic silencing of genes and microRNAs (miRs) via chromatin remodeling and cytosine methylation has emerged as a major mechanism in cancer etiology. The reversal of gene and miR silencing by affecting cytosine-DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), histone methyltransferases (HMTs), or histone deacetylases (HDACs) offers new strategies for cancer prevention and intervention for lung cancer. This presentation will provide an overview of studies using natural chemopreventive agents (e.g., lycopenes, isoflavones, omega-3 fatty acids) that reprogram the epigenome for affecting lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer either through generalized effects or targeting the expression of specific microRNAs to modulate genes involved in cancer. Focused studies from our laboratory using an in vitro model of hTERT/cdk4 immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell lines (HBECs) will describe the sequence of events driving gene and microRNA silencing for lung pre-malignancy and novel preventive strategies to reverse transformation. New concepts that incorporate tissue surrogates and biomarkers to assess in humans the efficacy of chemopreventives for lung cancer will be presented.

Citation Format: Steven A. Belinsky. DNA methylation as a target in cancer prevention. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr ED02-03.

©2013 American Association for Cancer Research.
2013