Epigenetic treatments: New allies for chemotherapies?

 

The epigenetic changes acquired by tumor cells during chemotherapy treatment were examined cell by cell by a research team directed by Celine Vallot, CNRS Research Director in the Laboratoire Dynamique de l'information Génétique: Bases Fondamentales et Cancer (CNRS/Institut Curie/Sorbonne Université). The scientists found the genes whose expression allowed cells to endure treatment, as well as the epigenomic alterations that govern them, in collaboration with Léila Périé's team at the Physico-chimie Curie (CNRS/Institut Curie/Sorbonne Université). Scientists discovered that in the absence of treatment, epigenomic markers lock the expression of certain genes, and that this lock is broken by chemotherapy in rare cells. All cancer cells remain responsive to treatment if this lock is kept from jumping. Scientists demonstrated this by employing epi-drugs, which are pharmacological substances that prevent epigenetic marks from being removed, on animal models of breast cancer. These compounds must yet be modified for human usage.

These findings show that the epigenome has a role in cancer treatment resistance. Scientists are currently working hard to figure out how to apply this principle to humans in a therapeutic way. Scientists believe that if future clinical trials are successful, these epi-treatments could be used in concert with chemotherapies to extend their effectiveness in patients.

Personally, if this treatment does become successful, this would open up of a lot opportunities, as well as give hope to a lot patients that are going through chemotherapy, or any other cancer treatment. This study will also help better understand cancer cells, and also might lead to a step forward into finding a cure to cancer in a foreseeable future.

Links to articles:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220411113725.htm

https://newsexplorer.net/epigenetic-treatments-new-allies-for-chemotherapies-s1138753.html

Epigenomic Assesment of Educational Prowess

A study published recently details the links between CpG methylation and Educational attainment, using 9 separate Cpg probes the analysis takes into account data of 27 other studies including testing of 10,767 people. There were two specific CpG probes that the study focused on and they are associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy.  both probes were tested in many polygenic methylation events and epigentetic clock events both suggested links to educational attainment but the researches state that the results may be due to other distal biological factors.

these results from the test show a weak link to the educational attainment of the individuals tested but with such a large sample size of over 10,000 people it can be forgivable , showing that there is a link but may not be able to prove it easily due to other biological factors being at hand, especially since on of the methylation triggers are from their mother smoking with them in the womb. more data needs to be collected ,possibly with different CpG probes.

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Your Birth Season May Affect Your Health (Sorry Fall Babies)

While spring is often associated as allergy season, a new study done by the University of Southampton, UK, suggest that the season in which an individual is born may make a difference in their allergy development. By measuring whole blood epigenome-wide DNA in 367 participants it was found that there were correlations between the seasons in which the individual was born and what allergies and diseases they later developed.

For example, the study found that autumn and winter babies had a higher risk of developing asthma as well as eczema.  One of the more general trends observed was that babies born specifically in the month of October usually had a higher risk of developing certain allergies and diseases than those born in the summer. Overall, 55 diseases were found that correlated with the season of birth.

The university is now trying to understand what it is about being born during a certain season that affects an individual’s risk for disease. As of now it is believed that factors such as temperature, sunlight exposure, and diet may play a large part and these factors are being studied now.

The article stated that the individuals involved in the study were from the Isle of Wright (located off of the coast of the southern UK). While looking at the seasonal climate in this specific location I began questioning a few things about the study. First of all, I wonder what the study would have found if the DNA was taken from individuals residing in a location with more extreme temperature differences between seasons? Also, what the study would have found having taken DNA from individuals residing in a location where the seasonal temperatures were almost constant (they only experience one or two seasons in a year)?

Even with these questions I found the study to be interesting however I personally believe a lot more goes into developing a disease than merely the month you were born. I also hope that studies like this do not influence more and more parents to have children in the summer months because I do not believe that alone will make a healthy human. Fall babies need love and recognition too, even with our asthma.

How Obesity Alters Genetic Structure

According to a recent study by researchers at Hopkins University there is a direct correlation between genes and the ability to develop type 2 diabetes.  As it is well known another cause of developing diabetes is obesity, but researchers have discovered that obesity may cause a change in the chemical structure of DNA which in turn affects the bodies ability to release insulin.  This change in gene structure from obesity is what triggers the onset of diabetes in many people, and is known as the epigenome. Researchers examined the DNA of obese mice before and after gastric bypass surgery to determine wether genetic alteration will remain the same or go back to normal once the fat has been removed. According to the experiment the genes of the mice remained the same after surgery and still showed the same change in DNA structure. This study helped to show the exact correlation between obesity and diabetes and how it is the change in gene structure that brings the onset of this disease on people.

Reading this article opened my eyes on the many side affects of obesity and how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My grandmother was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes and doctors have said it was due to her poor diet. I can now determine the exact cause of this and hopefully be able to prevent other members of my family from developing diabetes.