Histone modifications and cancer: biomarkers of prognosis?

Am J Cancer Res. 2012;2(5):589-97. Epub 2012 Aug 20.

Abstract

Epigenetic dysregulation is being increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Post-translational modifications of histones, in particular, are known to play important roles gene expression alterations in cancer development and progression. Given their key involvement in the various stages of carcinogenesis, histone modifications are also being explored as potential biomarkers of disease progression and prognosis. This review will therefore discuss the role of histone modifications in cancer biology and will explore their prognostic potential.

Keywords: Histone modifications; biomarkers; cancer; prognosis.