Epigenetic signatures in surrogate tissues are able to assess cancer risk and indicate the efficacy of preventive measures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In order to advance personalized primary cancer prevention, surrogate endpoint biomarkers in distant, easy to access tissues (i.e., field defect indicators) reflecting field cancerization in the organ at risk are essential.

Methods

Here we utilized medroxyprogesterone acetate and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene to induce mammary gland cancers in mice. We assessed epigenetic signatures reflective of carcinogen exposure, cell-type composition, mitotic age, and methylation at progesterone receptor binding sites in both, the tissue at risk (normal mammary gland; field cancerization) and distant non-at-risk organs (cervix, oviduct, and blood; field defect indicators), in mice that did and did not develop mammary gland cancers.

Results

We demonstrate that the anti-pr

SUBMITTER: Barrett JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11965489 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature