William F.

The Role of Epigenetic Changes During Biological Aging In Cancer Development

Started Apr. 17, 2024

Abstract or project description

Abstract

In 2021, it was estimated that one in ten people were over 65. This proportion of elderly people is only expected to increase, with projections expecting one in six people to be over 65 in 2050 (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2023). As the aging population in the United States continues to grow, understanding how the process of biological aging increases susceptibility to the development of cancer is becoming increasingly important. Understanding the epigenetic changes that occur with biological aging is becoming vital for addressing the increasing prevalence of age-related diseases, especially cancer. There is an increasing aging population, putting economic strains on United States pension systems, increasing the burden on caregivers, and increasing isolation in the aging population. Many competing biological aging theories exist, but a new epigenetic perspective is becoming more popular. This paper will connect epigenetic processes with aging and underline how this affects the deterioration of epigenetic processes overall. This paper will subsequently explain how the deterioration of methylation and acetylation processes leads to age-related diseases, focusing on cancer. Approaching age-related diseases from an epigenetic perspective is a valuable way to view medical interventions. This approach to medication is offering a promising way forward for our increasing aging population, with HDACis (Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors) and DNMTis (DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors) showing anti-tumor effects in clinical trials.

Key words: Biology, Epigenetics, Cancer, Aging, Age-related diseases, DNA, Histones