Colorectal cancer (CRC) results from an accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes in colon epithelial cells, which transforms them into adenocarcinomas. Over the past decade, major advances have been made in understanding cancer epigenetics, particularly regarding aberrant DNA methylation. Lao and Grady provide an overview of the role of epigenetics in CRC and discuss the clinical applications of these epigenetic alterations as biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, prognostication and management of patients with CRC.
- Victoria Valinluck Lao
- William M. Grady