DNA Methylation -- Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation -- DNA Hypo- vs. Hypermethylation in Cancer -- DNA Methylation in Urological Cancers -- DNA Methylation in Colorectal Cancer -- CpG Island Hypermethylation of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Human Cancer -- The Loss of Methyl Groups in DNA of Tumor Cells and Tissues -- Identifying Clinicopathological Association of DNA Hypermethylation in Cancers Using CpG Island Microarrays -- Methylation Analysis in Cancer -- Regulation of DNA Methyltransferases in Cancer -- Inhibition of Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation Allows DNA Hypermethylation -- The Role of Active Demethylation in Cancer and Its Therapeutic Potential -- Purine Analogues and Their Role in Methylation and Cancer Chemotherapy -- DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors -- Preclinical and Clinical Studies on 5-Aza-2?-Deoxycytidine, a Potent Inhibitor of DNA Methylation, in Cancer Therapy -- Anticancer Gene Therapy by in Vivo DNA Electrotransfer of MBD2 Antisense -- Epilogue.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of implications of DNA methylation on cancer diagnosis and cancer therapy. This unique volume focuses on cancer therapy by thoroughly dissecting the basic principles of DNA methylation in cancer from molecular mechanisms to clinical trials. The chapters are written by leading experts in the field and are designed to provide the reader with the necessary background to evaluate critically the potential of DNA methylation in cancer therapy. Key features of this book include discussions of the following topics: The molecular machinery responsible for DNA methylation and their impact on gene expression and tumorigenesis. The emerging relation between DNA methylation and chromatin modifying proteins. How the relationship between DNA methylation and chromatin modifying proteins might clarify the mechanisms and therapeutic implications of aberrant DNA methylation in cancer. Illustrations of the diagnostic potential of methylation in cancer and novel tools for using methylation profiling of cancers. The therapeutic potential of the DNA methylation machinery and novel attempts to target the DNA methylation enzymes in anticancer therapy. This book will be of interest to a wide audience, including oncologists, researchers and clinicians, and graduate students in the fields of oncology, molecular biology, and cancer therapy, as well as researchers and decision-makers in industry focusing on anticancer drugs and diagnosis.