Nutritional Epigenetics in Cancer

Statement of Significance: This review provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the multiple layers of epigenetic interaction with food relevant for cancer prevention and treatment. Alterations in the epigenome are well known to affect cancer development and progression. Epigenetics is highly influenced by the environment, including diet, which is a source of metabolic substrates that influence the synthesis of cofactors or substrates for chromatin and RNA modifying enzymes. In addition, plants are a common source of bioactives that can directly modify the activity of these enzymes. Here, we review and discuss the impact of diet on epigenetic mechanisms, including chromatin and RNA regulation, and its potential implications for cancer prevention and treatment.

Automated summary

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multiple layers of epigenetic interaction with food relevant for cancer prevention and treatment. The environment, including diet, has a significant impact on epigenetics, with diet being a source of metabolic substrates that influence the synthesis of cofactors or substrates for chromatin and RNA modifying enzymes. Additionally, plants are a common source of bioactives that can directly modify the activity of these enzymes.