Epigenetic modification and cancer: mark or stamp?

Abstract

Hypotheses are built upon data, but data require hypotheses before they can be understood. The development of the ‘two-hit’ hypothesis of carcinogenesis was a key event in cancer genetics because it provided a testable model of how tumours develop. In this commentary on ‘Promoter hypermethylation patterns in Fallopian tube epithelium ofBRCA1andBRCA2germline mutation carriers’ by Bijronet al. published in the February 2012 issue ofEndocrine-Related Cancer, the need for new grammar and some new hypotheses in epigenetics is discussed. Meanwhile, data suggesting an important role of epigenetic modification in the cause, progression and treatment of cancer continues to accumulate.