Imagine a world where medicine is tailored to each individual’s unique molecular makeup.
This future is closer than you think, thanks to epigenetic reprogramming.
Epigenetic reprogramming is the manipulation of gene expression patterns without altering the DNA sequence.
By altering epigenetic marks on DNA, we can control cell fate and differentiation, making it a promising area of research for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, regenerative medicine, and aging.
DNA methylation and histone modifications are two of the best-characterized epigenetic modifications.
Here are three emerging developments in this field:
1. CRISPR-based epigenetic editing, which uses Cas enzymes to precisely add or remove epigenetic marks on DNA in cells. This therapeutic approach will mimic the mechanisms that cells normally employ to regulate gene expression.
For example, Chroma Medicine ($135M Series B) is developing a multiplex platform that can activate or silence multiple genes at once with a coupled DNA-binding and epigenetic effector domain. Their approach seeks to regulate gene expression without cutting or nicking DNA, which avoids the activation of unpredictable DNA repair pathways.
2. Epigenetic drugs, which target enzymes that modify the structure of DNA or the proteins associated with it. The goal of targeting these enzymes is to restore normal gene expression patterns in cells that have undergone epigenetic changes relevant to the disease.
C4 Therapeutics (IPO’d) is developing an oral small molecule capable of degrading certain proteins that help cancer cells grow and survive. It does this by disrupting key signaling pathways in the cells that are important for proper cancer cell function. Their lead candidate for multiple myeloma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is undergoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials. They also have ongoing strategic collaborations with Roche and Biogen.
3. Epigenetic biomarkers that can indicate the presence of disease or predict an individual’s response to a particular treatment. Once discovered, these biomarkers can be used to develop diagnostic tests or personalized treatments for those with the disease.
Guardant Health (IPO’d) has developed an FDA-approved blood test that can perform cancer screening and also inform the treatment decisions of patients with advanced cancer. This test can conduct complete genomic profiling without the need for tissue testing. It is also capable of detecting cancer-driven DNA methylation across the genome and aggregating it into a “methylation signal.”
We are excited about the future of these innovative technologies, and we want to hear from you.
Whether you are an established scientist in this field or a new founder just starting out, let us know about your work in epigenetic reprogramming.
