Epigenetic reprogramming during prostate cancer progression: A perspective from development

Abstract

Conrad Waddington’s theory of epigenetic landscape epitomize the process of cell fate and cellular decision-making during development. Wherein the epigenetic code maintains patterns of gene expression in pluripotent and differentiated cellular states during embryonic development and differentiation. Over the years disruption or reprogramming of the epigenetic landscape has been extensively studied in the course of cancer progression. Cellular dedifferentiation being a key hallmark of cancer allow us to take cues from the biological processes involving epigenetic reprogramming in development such as the cellular differentiation and morphogenesis. Here, we discuss the role of epigenetic landscape and its modifiers in cell-fate determination, differentiation and prostate cancer progression. Lately, the emergence of RNA-modifications has also furthered our understanding of epigenetics in cancer. The overview of the epigenetic code regulating androgen signalling, and progression to aggressive neuroendocrine stage of PCa reinforces its gene regulatory functions during the development of prostate gland as well as cancer progression. Additionally, we also highlight the clinical implications of cancer cell epigenome, and discuss the recent advancements in the therapeutic strategies targeting the advanced stage disease.