3C methods in cancer research: recent advances and future prospects

In recent years, Hi-C technology has revolutionized cancer research by elucidating the mystery of three-dimensional chromatin organization and its role in gene regulation. This paper explored the impact of Hi-C advancements on cancer research by delving into high-resolution techniques, such as chromatin loops, structural variants, haplotype phasing, and extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA). Distant regulatory elements interact with their target genes through chromatin loops. Structural variants contribute to the development and progression of cancer. Haplotype phasing is crucial for understanding allele-specific genomic rearrangements and somatic clonal evolution in cancer. The role of ecDNA in driving oncogene amplification and drug resistance in cancer cells has also been revealed. These innovations offer a deeper understanding of cancer biology and the potential for personalized therapies. Despite these advancements, challenges, such as the accurate mapping of repetitive sequences and precise identification of structural variants, persist. Integrating Hi-C with multiomics data is key to overcoming these challenges and comprehensively understanding complex cancer genomes. Thus, Hi-C is a powerful tool for guiding precision medicine in cancer research and treatment. Hi-C technology unlocks cancer mysteries: insights for precision medicine The research explores the 3D structure of chromatin—a combination of DNA and proteins in our cells, and its role in cancer. Using Hi-C technology, a method that maps the closeness of different DNA regions within the cell nucleus, researchers have gained insights into these 3D structures, especially in cancer cells. The study involves data analysis using Hi-C to investigate chromatin’s spatial arrangement and its implications for cancer. By studying interactions between various DNA regions, researchers identify crucial chromatin structures and understand how changes in these structures contribute to cancer. The findings reveal that disruptions in chromatin structure, such as altered interactions between enhancer, promoter, and the formation of additional DNA, play a significant role in cancer development. These insights could lead to new diagnostic and treatment strategies, focusing on targeting the 3D chromatin structure in cancer cells. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.