Epigenetic Alterations That Are the Backbone of Immune Evasion in T-cell Malignancies

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Epigenetic alterations are heritable, enduring changes in gene expression that enable immune evasion in T-cell malignancies. Key mechanisms include noncoding RNA changes, DNA methylation shifts, and histone modifications that can suppress normal immune function. Aberrant methylation such as hypermethylation or hypomethylation allows tumor and viral cells to resist host immunity. The review also discusses T-cell lymphomas, including adult T-cell lymphomas, where regulatory and accessory genes contribute to immune escape, and it evaluates emerging epigenetic therapies alongside immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction and Background

Immune evasion and epigenetic control

Epigenetic alterations in immune responses

Mechanisms of immune escape in T-cell malignancies

DNA methylation changes

Histone modifications

Non-coding RNAs and transgenerational effects

Epigenetic therapies and clinical implications

Open Access Review Article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51662 Review began 11/19/2023 Review ended 01/01/2024 Published 01/04/2024 © Copyright 2024 Andreescu. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0. , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original author and source are credited. Epigenetic Alterations That Are the Backbone of Immune Evasion in T-cell Malignancies Mihaela Andreescu 1 1. Hematology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, ROU Corresponding author: Mihaela Andreescu, [tevetmihaela@gmail.com](tevetmihaela@gmail.com) Abstract Epigenetic alterations are heritable and enduring modifications in gene expression that play a pivotal role in immune evasion. These include alterations to noncoding RNA, DNA methylation, and histone modifications. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in normal cell growth and development but alterationsin methylation patterns such as hypermethylation or hypomethylation can enable tumor and viral cells to evade host immune responses. Histone modifications can also inhibit immune responses by promoting the expression of genes involved in suppressing normal immune function. In the case ofT-cell lymphoma, adult T-cell lymphomas (ATL) also undergo immune evasion through the exceptional function of its accessory and regulatory genes. Epigenetic therapies are emerging as a promising adjunct to traditional immunotherapy and chemotherapy regimens. Clinical trials are currently investigating the use of epigenetic therapies in combination with immunotherapies and chemotherapies for more effective treatment of ATL and other cancers. This review highlights epigenetic alterations that are widely found in T-cell malignancies. Categories: Public Health, Oncology Keywords: prognosis, early detection, clinical diagnostic, infectious diseases, molecular biology Introduction And Background T-cell malignancies are a diverse group of cancers arising from abnormal T-cell development and function. These malignancies include conditions such as T-cell lymphomas, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL), and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) [1] . Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of T-cell malignancies, effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. One critical aspect contributing to the pathogenesis of these diseases is immune evasion which can involve various genetic and epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic alterations have emerged as key players in mediating immune evasion in T-cell malignancies, providing a molecular basis for the immune-resistant phenotype observed in these diseases. Epigenetic alterations are heritable and stable changes in the gene expression that are independent of changes in the underlying DNA sequence [2] . These alterations play a crucial role in determining the characteristics of cells and allow cells with the same genes to develop into different types. Epigenetics is an important phenomenon for controlling when and how genes are turned on or off during processes like development, cell growth, and response to changes in the body or the environment [3] . It is a way for the environment to influence gene expression and impact the risk of certain genetic diseases [4] . Environmental factors including pollution, toxicants, inflammation, and nutrients can encourage epigenetic alterations, which in turn can lead to various disorders, including autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and cancers [3,5] . Epigenetic alterations include noncoding RNAs, histone modifications, and DNA methylation. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic alterations have an impact on these immune responses [6,7] . Theepigenome plays a critical role in the normal development of lymphocytes and the regulation of immune responses [8] . Immune evasion is an approach used by tumors and pathogens to avoid the immune response of the host, promoti

FAQs

What are epigenetic alterations, and why do they matter in immune evasion?

Epigenetic alterations are heritable, stable modifications in gene expression that occur without changing the DNA sequence. In T-cell malignancies, they help tumors escape host immune responses by reshaping how immune-relevant genes are expressed.

How does DNA methylation contribute to tumor immune escape?

DNA methylation adds methyl groups to cytosine and regulates normal growth and development. When methylation patterns become abnormally hypermethylated or hypomethylated, tumor and viral cells can evade immune recognition and responses.

What therapeutic direction does the review emphasize for T-cell malignancies?

The review highlights epigenetic therapies as emerging adjuncts to traditional immunotherapy and chemotherapy. It notes ongoing clinical trials investigating combinations to improve treatment effectiveness in adult T-cell malignancies and other cancers.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven