Emerging patterns and implications of breast cancer epigenetics: An update of the current knowledge

Epigenetics is a broad term used to encompass changes in gene expression which are not associated with any changes in the DNA sequence. They are important for normal homeostasis of the cell. From a clinical perspective, aberrant epigenetic changes may play more important roles in the pathophysiology of cancers, including breast cancer. In addition to mutations, breast cancer is also induced by epigenetic changes, notably aberrant DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and gene expression dysregulation by non-coding RNAs. Epigenetic studies in breast cancer have mainly focused on (i) testing the utility of these changes as a diagnostic, prognostic and theranostic marker, (ii) understanding the molecular mechanisms, biological functions, and cell signaling pathways and (iii) utility of epigenetic therapy in the management of breast cancer. In this book chapter, we summarized the recent advances of epigenetic alterations and dysregulated genes expression in breast cancer. Additionally, we have also discussed the potential opportunity of epigenetic therapy in the context of breast cancer management.