Published online Nov 24, 2020. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v11.i11.890
Peer-review started: February 25, 2020
First decision: June 13, 2020
Revised: July 3, 2020
Accepted: August 1, 2020
Article in press: August 1, 2020
Published online: November 24, 2020
The field of “Cancer Genomics and Epigenomes” has been widely investigated for their involvement in cancer to understand the basic processes of different malignancies. The aggregation of genetic and epigenetic alterations also displays a wide range of heterogeneity making it quite necessary to develop personalized treatment strategies. The complex interplay between DNA methylation and chromatin dynamics in malignant cells is one of the major epigenetic mechanisms that lead to gene activation and repression. Hence, each tumor needs to be fully characterized to satisfy the ideas of personalized treatment strategies. The present article addresses various aspects of genome characterization methods and their potential role in the field of cancer genomics and epigenomics.
Core Tip: Various genetic, as well as epigenetic alterations such as mutations, copy number variations, structural variations, and epigenetic dysregulations, are described as hallmarks of cancer. Understanding the complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic changes is exceedingly important for improving cancer care and the development of personalized medicine. Advanced genome analysis tools have enabled researchers to obtain a comprehensive picture of the cancer genome. However, the understanding of tumor genomics/epigenomics and the correct use of technology are tightly coupled processes. The present article summarizes various genome analytic methods utilized in cancer biology.