Aberrant DNA Methylations in Chondrosarcoma

Abstract

Chondrosarcoma (CS) is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor. Unlike other bone tumors, CS is highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thus resulting in poor patient outcomes. There is an urgent need to establish alternative therapies for CS. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of CS still remain elusive. Recently, DNA methylation-associated epigenetic changes have been found to play a pivotal role in the initiation and development of human cancers, including CS, by regulating target gene expression in different cellular pathways. Elucidating the mechanisms of DNA methylation alteration may provide biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as novel treatment options for CS. We have conducted a critical review to summarize the evidence regarding aberrant DNA methylation patterns as diagnostic biomarkers, predictors of progression and potential treatment strategies in CS.

Keywords::

• 5-azacytidine
• 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine
• chondrosarcoma
• DNA methylation
• epigenetics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported, in part, by the Gattegno and Wechsler funds. Z Duan is supported, in part, through a grant from Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), a grant from National Cancer Institute (NCI)/NIH, UO1, CA 151452-01, a pilot grant from Sarcoma SPORE/NIH, and a grant from an Academic Enrichment Fund of MGH Orthopaedics. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported, in part, by the Gattegno and Wechsler funds. Z Duan is supported, in part, through a grant from Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), a grant from National Cancer Institute (NCI)/NIH, UO1, CA 151452-01, a pilot grant from Sarcoma SPORE/NIH, and a grant from an Academic Enrichment Fund of MGH Orthopaedics. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.