Epigenetic Factors as Etiological Agents, Diagnostic Markers, and Therapeutic Targets for Luminal Breast Cancer

Luminal breast cancer, an etiologically heterogeneous disease, is characterized by high steroid hormone receptor activity and aberrant gene expression profiles. Endocrine therapy and chemotherapy are promising therapeutic approaches to mitigate breast cancer proliferation and recurrence. However, the treatment of therapy-resistant breast cancer is a major challenge. Recent studies on breast cancer etiology have revealed the critical roles of epigenetic factors in luminal breast cancer tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Tumorigenic epigenetic factor-induced aberrant chromatin dynamics dysregulate the onset of gene expression and consequently promote tumorigenesis and metastasis. Epigenetic dysregulation, a type of somatic mutation, is a high-risk factor for breast cancer progression and therapy resistance. Therefore, epigenetic modulators alone or in combination with other therapies are potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer. Several clinical trials have analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of potential epi-drugs for breast cancer and reported beneficial clinical outcomes, including inhibition of tumor cell adhesion and invasiveness and mitigation of endocrine therapy resistance. This review focuses on recent findings on the mechanisms of epigenetic factors in the progression of luminal breast cancer. Additionally, recent findings on the potential of epigenetic factors as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer are discussed.