EPIGENETICS IN ORAL CANCER

Epigenetic alterations are reversible changes that are not related to modifications in the structure of DNA and can be inherited and preserved for multiple generations. Oral cancer Epigenetic modifications enable the possibility of heterogeneity between cells despite the same genetic material and similar cellular signaling patterns. Research advances in the study of cancer complexity have revealed that the epigenetic landscape is different between malignant and normal cells a factor that influences the progression of the disease and is also involved in all stages of malignant transformation. The fact that these non - genetic modifications are reversible is opening the possibility of new therapeutic strategies where targeted agents can be used to restore what is considered the normal conduit in cell signaling and impair cancer development. Epigenetic inheritance includes DNA methylation histone modifications and RNA -mediated silencing. Disruption of any of these three distinct and mutually reinforcing epigenetic mechanisms leads to inappropriate gene expression resulting in cancer development.