DNA Methylation, Epigenetics and Metastasis

This book provides a broad and rich outline of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer progression and the generation of metastasis. It describes the tumor suppressor genes undergoing transcriptional silencing by CpG island promoter hypermethylation in the different tumor types of the human anatomy and their association with tumoral behaviour. It also provides a comprehensive insightful look at the molecular players involved in DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin remodelling complexes causing epigenetic lesions linked to the metastasic phenotypes. Finally, it explains how epigenetic lesions associated with cancer spreading can be targeted using new and potent chemotherapy drugs. The book is a state-of-the-art reference to all scientific researchers and clinicians interested in the understanding of the biological processes leading to tumor dissemination and to those that are keen to translate this knowledge to a better management of cancer patients. Each contributor is a specialist in their epigenetic area and their joint effort has created a unique view of the DNA methylation, histone and chromatin changes that define cancer metastasis.