A person’s risk of cancer later in life, can be identified before they are born, according to a new study.
Scientists from Van Andel Institute, in the United States have identified two distinct epigenetic states, that arise during a human embryo’s development, which are linked to cancer risk.
Dr J. Andrew Pospisilik said one of these states was associated with a lower lifetime risk, while the other was associated with a higher lifetime risk.
Dr Pospisilik said if cancer did develop in the lower risk state, it was more likely to be a liquid tumor, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
“If cancer develops in the higher risk state, it is more likely to be a solid tumor, such as lung or prostate cancer,” he said.
Dr Pospisilik said because most cancers occurred later in life and were understood as diseases of mutation, or genetics, there hadn’t been a focus on how development might shape cancer risk.
“Our findings change that. Our identification of these two epigenetically different states open the door to an entirely new world of study into the underpinnings of cancer.”
He said cancer risk increased as people aged, thanks to an accumulation of DNA damage and other factors.
“Still, not every abnormal cell goes on to become cancer. In recent years, scientists have identified other influences, such as epigenetic errors, as additional contributors to cancer.”
Dr Pospisilik said epigenetics were processes that affected how and when the instructions in DNA were carried out.
“Problems with epigenetics can derail cellular quality control processes, enabling sick cells to survive and spread.”
Read the full study: TRIM28-dependent developmental heterogeneity determines cancer susceptibility through distinct epigenetic states.
