Epigenetics News and Research

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Epigenetics is the study of chemical reactions that influence gene expression, through activation or deactivation of genes at specific times and locations.

New findings says TRIM24 protein plays active role in breast cancer formation

The recently identified TRIM24 protein plays an active role in pushing normal breast cells into rapid cell proliferation and, potentially, into breast cancer.

16 Dec 2010

Study broadens understanding of role of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in AML

Agios Pharmaceuticals, the leading biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel drugs in the rapidly emerging field of cancer metabolism, today announced the publication of a paper in Cancer Cell that illuminates the mechanism by which 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), and the mutations in the metabolic genes IDH1 and IDH2 that produce it, may be driving the growth of tumors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

15 Dec 2010

Tumor suppressor p53 may serve as 'Guardian against Genome Reprogramming'

A close collaboration between researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Institute for Advanced Study found that the tumor suppressor p53, long thought of as the "Guardian of the Genome," may do more than thwart cancer-causing mutations. It may also prevent established cancer cells from sliding toward a more aggressive, stem-like state by serving as a "Guardian against Genome Reprogramming."

15 Dec 2010

Syndax reports promising results from entinostat preclinical studies in breast cancer

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage epigenetics oncology company, announces results from two preclinical studies on entinostat, an orally bioavailable, highly selective, class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in animal models of breast cancer. The data are being presented as oral poster discussions at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium December 8 through December 12 in San Antonio Texas.

13 Dec 2010

Epigenetic-molecular targeted therapy combination holds promise against advanced lung cancer

A new study shows that a combination of epigenetic therapy and molecular targeted therapy has promising results at combating advanced lung cancer according to research presented at the 2010 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. This symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (ISLAC) and The University of Chicago.

10 Dec 2010

Entinostat plus erlotinib improves survival in NSCLC patients with elevated E-cadherin

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage epigenetics oncology company, announces clinical results from ENCORE 401, a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results show that there was a survival advantage in the subset of patients with elevated E-cadherin (a molecular marker of epithelial tumors) receiving entinostat in combination with erlotinib (Tarceva®).

10 Dec 2010

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researcher awarded 2011 Gani Medal for Human Genetics

Major advances in our understanding of human evolution have seen Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researcher Dr Alicia Oshlack awarded the 2011 Gani Medal for Human Genetics by the Australian Academy of Science.

9 Dec 2010

Research on BCR-ABL inhibitors for treating ALL, CML presented at ASH Annual Meeting

Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in the treatment of leukemia through the ongoing development of gene-based targeted therapies. Research that will be presented today at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology provides greater understanding of the optimal use of several BCR-ABL inhibitors for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia, and how a new gene target functions for several myeloid malignancies.

6 Dec 2010

SuperGen to present SGI-110 data for MDS, AML at ASH annual meeting

SuperGen, Inc. today announced that a summary of preclinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics data of SGI-110 will be presented at the American Society of Hematology in Orlando on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm ET.

3 Dec 2010

Exposure to BPA during perinatal development impairs reproductive capacity of female offspring

Exposure to a ubiquitous environmental chemical during pregnancy may impair reproductive capacity of female offspring, according to a study published online in advance of print on December 2 in Environmental Health Perspectives. Fertility decreased over time in female mice that had been exposed during fetal and neonatal (perinatal) development to doses of bisphenol-A (BPA) that were lower than or equal to human environmental exposure levels.

2 Dec 2010

New findings on folic acid supplementation reveal causes of low birth weight

Groundbreaking work by a team of UK scientists has identified, for the first time, a link between changes in the DNA of newborn babies, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight.

1 Dec 2010

Mother’s high-fat diet alters fetal genes that regulate circadian rhythm: Study

The link between sleeping and obesity is drawn tighter as a new research published online in the FASEB Journal study shows that what your mother ate when she was pregnant may make you obese or overweight by altering the function of genes (epigenetic changes) that regulate circadian rhythm.

23 Nov 2010

Cell Therapeutics announces preliminary results of phase II OPAXIO study for high-grade gliomas

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced the preliminary results of a phase II study of paclitaxel poliglumex (OPAXIO) combined with temozolomide (TMZ) and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.

22 Nov 2010

Researchers develop medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells

Researchers in the United States have developed a medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells harvested from a patient's own bone marrow. The research, published in STEM CELLS, is especially relevant for paediatric patients suffering from abnormally developed bladders, but also represents another step towards new organ replacement therapies.

20 Nov 2010

UC Berkeley receives $16.5 million to support three research centers to examine children's health

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health are getting $16.5 million to support three research centers as part of a federal initiative to examine the environmental factors influencing children's health.

18 Nov 2010

Adult children of mothers with Alzheimer's at increased risk

A family history of Alzheimer's disease significantly increases the risk for developing this disorder, but a new study in Biological Psychiatry suggests that which of your parents has the disease is very important.

17 Nov 2010

Epizyme announces publication of EZH2 enzyme for lymphoma in PNAS

Epizyme, Inc., a company leading the discovery and development of first-in-class, targeted cancer therapeutics against epigenetic targets, today announced the publication of breakthrough new research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). The discovery, centered on the epigenetic enzyme EZH2, illuminates a clear path for the translation of basic science into targeted therapies for the safe and effective treatment of specific forms of human lymphomas.

16 Nov 2010

4SC to present development of resminostat and preclinical drug candidates at EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium

4SC, a drug discovery and development company focused on autoimmune and cancer indications, today announced that it will present four posters and respective abstracts that highlight the development of its lead oncology compound resminostat and several preclinical drug candidates at the 22nd EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium from 16 - 19 November, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

16 Nov 2010

Domainex, Sigma-Aldrich enter collaboration to study epigenetic proteins

Domainex Ltd., the Contract Research Organization committed to excellence in drug discovery, today announced a collaboration with Sigma-Aldrich that will provide essential tools, including biochemical assays and monoclonal antibodies, for the study of proteins involved in the rapidly developing field of epigenetics. These epigenetic proteins regulate DNA expression and can be critical to cancer and stem cell biology research. Funding from the UK Government-backed Technology Strategy Board will support this work.

15 Nov 2010

Neural pathways in amygdala regulates fear response

Fear arises in the almond-shaped brain structure known as the amygdala. It is the amygdala which processes the strange noise, shadowy figure or scary face and not only triggers palpitations or nausea but can also cause us to flee or freeze. That much has long been known about the function of this part of the brain. What remains largely unclear, however, is precisely how fear develops, and which of the countless neurons in the amygdaloid region are involved in this process.

12 Nov 2010