Epigenetic profiles of elevated cell free circulating H3.1 nucleosomes as potential biomarkers for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

During cell death, nucleosomes, the basic structural unit of chromatin, are released into the blood stream and elevated levels have been found in the plasma of patients with solid cancers. In this study, we demonstrate an increase in cell free circulating H3.1-nucleosomes levels in plasma samples from patients with hematological malignancy, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), relative to healthy donors.

A novel proteomics approach to epigenetic profiling of circulating nucleosomes.

Alteration of epigenetic modifications plays an important role in human cancer. Notably, the dysregulation of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) has been associated with several cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the signature of histone PTMs on circulating nucleosomes is still not well described.

Radiation-induced synthetic lethality: combination of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and RAD51 inhibitors to sensitize cells to proton irradiation.

Although improvements in radiation therapy were made over the years, radioresistance is still a major challenge. Cancer cells are often deficient for DNA repair response, a feature that is currently exploited as a new anti-cancer strategy. In this context, combination of inhibitors targeting complementary pathways is of interest to sensitize cells to radiation.