Epigenomic changes play an important role during the progression of melanoma, researchers reveal

KU Leuven researchers have reported a significant step in understanding what makes melanoma cancer cells so aggressive in a recent study published in Nature Communications.

The study, carried out by Professor Stein Aerts and Professor Chris Marine, was able to confirm that epigenomic changes play an important role in the progression of melanoma. Professor Aerts and his team succeeded in mapping the epigenomic landscape in both phases of melanoma progression and identified the specific proteins and binding sites on the DNA that lead to tumour growth.

The team also discovered, that when these proteins were knocked out of the binding sites, the melanoma became less aggressive and more receptive to existing cancer drugs. The KU Leuven researchers have succeeded in taming the effect in cell cultures. The mapping of the epigenomic landscape has lead to the first complete epigenetic profile of melanoma.