How Do Epigenetic Changes Influence Carcinogenesis?

Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, also play a significant role in carcinogenesis. These changes can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Hypermethylation of promoter regions in tumor suppressor genes can lead to their silencing, while hypomethylation can activate oncogenes. Histone modifications can affect chromatin structure and accessibility of transcription factors to DNA, further influencing gene expression. These epigenetic alterations can contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer.