Lung cancer and epigenetic modifications

Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA expression, have been reported to play a major role in the genesis of lung cancer. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA expression are epigenetic markers in assesment of early detection, prognosis and evaluation of treatment of lung cancer. In this rewiev we summarize the common epigenetic changes associated with lung cancer to give some clarity to its etiology, and to provide an overview of the potential translational applications of these changes, including applications for early detection, diagnosis, prognostication, and therapeutics.