The study of DNA methylation falls under epigenetics ” an emerging field in cancer research. Unlike the study of genetics, epigenetics refers to the study of gene activity that does not involve hardwiring alterations in the genetic code. These epigenetic events, which lay atop the genome, are an intricate and heritable mechanism of regulating the expression of genes.

"Understanding the full spectrum of epigenetic modifications will be key to improving the clinical management of the disease, and studies should continue to find new ways of treating multiple myeloma by targeting the multiple myeloma epigenome. This study also emphasizes that hypomethylating strategies may not be the next necessary steps in drug development." said Rafael Fonseca, M.D., Deputy Director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Arizona.

Tissue samples and research collaboration was provided by the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and the Multiple Myeloma Genomics Initiative, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium.

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium provided funding for the study.

Cancer Research is one of six peer-reviewed scientific journals published by the Philadelphia-based American Association for Cancer Research, founded in 1907, the world's oldest and largest scientific organization focused on high-quality, innovative cancer research.

Source: Mayo Clinic