Cancer Epigenetics: Shifting to More Deep Action

Abstract

Cancer is a major health problem facing the entire human population. It affects almost every race, gender, or age in the social hierarchy. Many mechanisms have been proposed for the development of cancer; either genetic or epigenetic. Over the years, a cumulative body of research indicated that epigenetic mutations (epimutations) represent a chief player in the course of cancer, where it affects cell proliferation, cancer initiation, progression, apoptosis, and metastasis. In this minireview we highlight the main mechanisms of epigenetic-mediated cancer development with emphasis on the environmental pollution role in this arena.