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Epigenetic Basis of Human Cancer

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The Molecular Basis of Human Cancer

Abstract

It is now overwhelmingly clear that any comprehensive study of cancer genomes should address epigenetics. The study of cancer epigenetics has changed from a somewhat unrespectable fringe activity to a central place in the molecular understanding of carcinogenesis. Indeed, it is now often argued that the epigenetic changes in cancer are of greater importance than the genetic changes. It is clear that both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are important and often interrelated. In this chapter, we seek to give an introduction to the essentials of cancer. As this is a rapidly growing area, it is now impossible to cover many of the seminal contributions and so the overview provided is necessarily colored by our own specific interests. While we have sought to include many original references, we have also cited other reviews to enable the reader to find out more on a given topic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Translational Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia

    Thomas Mikeska Ph.D. & Alexander Dobrovic Ph.D.

  2. Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Thomas Mikeska Ph.D. & Alexander Dobrovic Ph.D.

  3. School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Boundoora, VIC, 3084, Australia

    Thomas Mikeska Ph.D. & Alexander Dobrovic Ph.D.

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  1. Thomas Mikeska Ph.D.
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  2. Alexander Dobrovic Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Thomas Mikeska Ph.D. or Alexander Dobrovic Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Curriculum in Toxicology, UNC Program in Translational Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

    William B. Coleman

  2. Laboratory for Clinical Genomics and Advanced Technology (CGAT), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

    Gregory J. Tsongalis

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Mikeska, T., Dobrovic, A. (2017). Epigenetic Basis of Human Cancer. In: Coleman, W., Tsongalis, G. (eds) The Molecular Basis of Human Cancer. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-458-2_5

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