Work

The Epithelial Epigenome: A Unified Platform for Cancer Risk Prediction and Prevention Monitoring

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Intrinsic biological processes and carcinogenic exposures leave cumulative DNA methylation (DNAme) imprints in epithelial cells. These changes reflect cellular composition, replicative/mitotic age and impaired differentiation capacity, and arise long before clinically detectable cancer, consistent with the concept of field cancerisation. Importantly, such epigenetic alterations are not confined to the tissue of origin but extend to anatomically distant epithelia that share developmental lineage and/or carcinogen exposure/susceptibility, thereby serving as field defect indicators. Notably, these signatures are dynamic and responsive to preventive interventions, enabling both risk assessment and real-time monitoring of prevention efficacy. The epithelial epigenome is thus emerging as a unified, minimally invasive platform for personalised, multi-cancer prevention.

Source: International Journal of Cancer

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.70800

Author: Martin Widschwendter

Institutions: The University of Sydney, Cancer Council NSW

Language: English

Topic: Epigenetics and DNA Methylation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,030