The main goal of EpiMARKS+, a project of the Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch (EGM), is to test the hypothesis that specific epigenetic changes may be associated with and/or caused by specific dietary or lifestyle factors (Figure 1), as well as that these epigenetic patterns can serve as sensitive biomarkers of breast cancer outcomes and in monitoring the impact of interventions aimed at reducing cancer risk (primary and tertiary prevention).

The EpiMARKS+ project encompasses two overarching aims in relation to breast cancer and colorectal cancer: (1) identifying epigenetic biomarkers of exposure and cancer risk (EpiSIGNATURES), and (2) examining the impact of interventions on epigenetic markers associated with cancer risk (EpiTRIALS).

Banner image modified from Pashayan et al. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2020 17(11):687–705. doi:10.1038/s41571-020-0388-9. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.