Cited by 0Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsEpigenetics and DNA MethylationChromatin Remodeling and Cancer

Epigenetic Rewiring of Enhancer–Promoter Interactions in Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

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Choppavarapu, Lavanya, Nosirov, Bakhtiyor, Kahn, Michael, Jin, Victor X.·2026·Cancers

Abstract

Cancer is increasingly recognized as a disease of transcriptional dysregulation in which genetic alterations and epigenetic remodeling cooperate to reprogram gene regulatory networks that govern cellular identity, proliferation, differentiation, and therapeutic response. Enhancer–promoter interactions are an important component of the regulatory systems that establish cell-type-specific gene expression and lineage identity. Cancer cells exploit the intrinsic plasticity of the epigenome to remodel enhancer landscapes, redistribute lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs), alter chromatin accessibility, reorganize three-dimensional (3D) genome architecture, and establish novel enhancer–promoter interactions that sustain oncogenic transcriptional programs. In this review, we discuss how enhancer–promoter communication is established and maintained within the 3D genome and examine the molecular mechanisms and drivers underlying epigenetic rewiring of enhancer–promoter interactions in cancer. We also highlight how the alterations of these epigenetic processes contribute to cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Finally, we discuss epigenetic therapeutic strategies and emerging genomic technologies that exploit aberrant enhancer–promoter interactions to advance precision oncology.

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Crossref · 10.3390/cancers18213416

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Authors
Choppavarapu, L., Nosirov, B., Kahn, M., & Jin, V. X.
Affiliations
  • Medical College of Wisconsin (US)
  • Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
Corresponding author
Jin, Victor X.
Venue
Cancers
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2026-10-22
Volume
18
Issue
21
Pages
3416
ISSN
2072-6694 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W7223185156
Cited by
0
References
134
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Cancers (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
NIH (R01GM114142)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Chromatin Remodeling and Cancer
Keywords
enhancer-promoter interactions, epigenetic rewiring, cancer, 3D genome organization, chromatin accessibility, gene regulatory networks, oncogenic transcriptional programs, metastasis, treatment resistance, epigenetic therapy, precision oncology

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