The epigenetics of breast cancer

Epigenetic changes can be defined as stable molecular alterations of a cellular phenotype such as the gene expression profile of a cell that are heritable during somatic cell divisions (and sometimes germ line transmissions) but do not involve changes of the DNA sequence itself. Epigenetic phenomena are mediated by several molecular mechanisms comprising histone modifications, polycomb/trithorax protein complexes, small non-coding or antisense RNAs and DNA methylation. These different modifications are closely interconnected. Epigenetic regulation is critical in normal growth and development and closely conditions the transcriptional potential of genes. Epigenetic mechanisms convey genomic adaption to an environment thereby ultimately contributing towards given phenotype. In this review we will describe the various aspects of epigenetics and in particular DNA methylation in breast carcinogenesis and their potential application for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment decision.