Establishing the Clinical Utility of Epigenetic Markers in Cancer: Many Challenges Ahead

Abstract

The use of epigenetic biomarkers in cancer management relies on the availability of robust assays and evidence that these markers are able to segregate clinically significant groups of patients. While many cancers are characterized by genetic and epigenetic modifications, it is far simpler to develop molecular tests that detect genetic rather than epigenetic changes. In this special report, we will describe the challenges associated with developing epigenetic assays and the practical issues that must be overcome before they can be used in the clinic.

KEYWORDS::

• clinical utility
• epigenetic marker
• epigenetics
• histone
• methylation
• nucleosome

Financial & competing interests disclosure

P Zarzour is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award, the Translational Cancer Research Network and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. LB Hesson is supported by a Cancer Institute New South Wales Career Development Fellowship. RL Ward is supported by funding from the Cancer Council New South Wales, Cancer Australia and the Cancer Institute New South Wales. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not those of the funding agency. 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

P Zarzour is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award, the Translational Cancer Research Network and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. LB Hesson is supported by a Cancer Institute New South Wales Career Development Fellowship. RL Ward is supported by funding from the Cancer Council New South Wales, Cancer Australia and the Cancer Institute New South Wales. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not those of the funding agency. 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.