High school biology taught us that we inherit certain traits from our parents that are pre-determined.

But what if you could change how these genes play out by taking certain drugs or better yet, just changing your diet?

That's exactly what a team of researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have proposed through their research of epigenetics research.

Epigenetics regulates gene expression in a reversible manner by chemically modifying DNA and histone proteins, which prevent permanent mutations or alterations within the gene themselves.

Throughout DNA processing, a single strand will go through countless modifications that determine whether certain genes will eventually be expressed.

A single addition or subtraction of a few carbon and hydrogen ions can determine the silencing of a tumour suppressor gene or the overexpression of an oncogene.

The researchers previously emphasised that pretreatment of cancer cells with epigenetic drugs in addition to standard chemotherapy may sensitise these cells to other cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs, especially important in the setting of drug resistance.

"Recent studies suggest that epigenetic modifications may contribute to the development of cancer progenitor cells that can induce drug resistance and the relapse of different types of cancer," said Sibaji Sarkar, PhD, instructor of medicine at BUSM.

Adult drug resistant cancer cells may contribute to this problem, and the authors discuss these and other cancer drug resistance mechanisms in their recent publication in Cancers.

Drug resistance is a major problem in cancer treatment, as drug resistant cancers are thought to be the primary cause of cancer relapse.

The mechanisms that promote or enable drug resistance include drug inactivation, drug target alteration, drug removal from cells, DNA damage repair, cell death inhibition and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that enable solid tumours to transform into more metastatic grades.

Cancer progression is extremely complex, and the variation in pathogenesis along with the heterogeneity of cancer cells in tumours and metastasised cancers, makes effectively treating cancer akin to hitting a moving target.

Cancer cells are opportunistic in the sense that they hijack cellular events necessary for development and survival.

For example, genes involved in suppressing tumour formation are turned off via epigenetic mechanisms, and genes involved in rapid growth and replication are turned on too high.

The authors hypothesise that in addition to these functions, epigenetic alterations may also serve as a common trigger through which susceptible and genetically predisposed stem cells become cancer progenitor cells.

These progenitor cells are often drug resistant and can initiate cancer development and are possibly involved in cancer relapse.

Moreover, epigenetic changes regulate cancer cell metastasis and the formation of heterogeneous cell populations that are very difficult to treat.

An example of epigenetic modifications leading to cancer progenitor cell formation possibly occurs in leukaemia development.

Mature leukaemia cells express the MDR1 gene and are sensitive to normal drug regimens.

However, cancer progenitor cells that highly express MDR1 are drug resistant.

The MDR1 gene codes for a protein that helps to extract drugs from cells.

When it is overexpressed, the cells become drug resistant.

MDR1 expression is epigenetically regulated in leukaemia progenitor cells, which makes it a prime target for possible drug therapies.

Studies in cancer patients indicate reduced rates of relapse when patients are pretreated with epigenetic drugs due to its far-reaching capabilities; killing progenitor cells at the site of the tumour, in circulation, or at a distant site.

These drugs sensitise cancer cells to alternative treatments and stave off progenitor cells that could prevent cancer relapse.

There already has been great effort to elucidate the mechanisms of gene expression regulation, but it will be important to continue research to fully realise the potential of these epigenetic therapies and their applications in clinical settings.

Epigenetic changes beyond a normal expression pattern can cause a variety of diseases.

Previous studies have shown that a diet deficient in certain amino acids such as folate could alter some methylation actions in the liver, which if prolonged, could lead to hepatic carcinoma.

Another study suggests that transient hyperglycemia could alter histone methylation, leading to diabetic complications.

BUSM researchers also discussed in Genetics & Epigenetics (May 2014) how epigenetic modifications play a role in the development of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurologic and pulmonary disorders.

"The reversible nature of these changes gives us hope that epigenetic drugs will be able to manage and cure these types of diseases and disorders," said Sarkar.

Source: Boston University Medical Center