Disruption of DNA methylation underpins the neuroinflammation induced by targeted CNS radiotherapy - Summary - MDSpire

Disruption of DNA methylation underpins the neuroinflammation induced by targeted CNS radiotherapy

  • By

  • Thomas O Millner

  • Pratistha Panday

  • Yunchen Xiao

  • James G Nicholson

  • James R Boot

  • Zsharmaine Arpe

  • Paul A Stevens

  • Nadia N Rahman

  • Xinyu Zhang

  • Charles Mein

  • Neil Kitchen

  • Andrew W McEvoy

  • Edward McKintosh

  • Grainne S McKenna

  • Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos

  • Nicolae Radu Zabet

  • Rachel Lewis

  • Sara Badodi

  • Silvia Marino

  • April 29, 2025

  • 0 min

Share

Objective:

To investigate the epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation alterations, in non-neoplastic brain tissue following targeted radiotherapy and their potential role in neuroinflammation, highlighting the significance of these changes in understanding treatment side effects.

Key Findings:
  • Irradiated brain tissue exhibited distinct DNA methylation patterns compared to non-irradiated controls, with a total of X differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified.
  • A significant number of DMRs were identified, with 75% being hypomethylated in irradiated samples.
  • Specific inflammatory micro-environmental niches and regulatory neuropeptides were identified post-irradiation, indicating potential pathways for therapeutic intervention.
Interpretation:

The study suggests that epigenetic dysregulation, particularly alterations in DNA methylation, contributes to neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity following targeted radiotherapy, indicating potential therapeutic targets to mitigate side effects and improve patient outcomes.

Limitations:
  • The study is retrospective and based on a limited number of patient samples, specifically X patients, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
  • The long-term effects and clinical implications of the identified epigenetic changes require further investigation to establish their relevance in broader patient populations.
Conclusion:

The findings highlight the role of DNA methylation changes in the neuroinflammatory response to targeted radiotherapy, suggesting that targeting these epigenetic alterations may help reduce neurotoxic side effects and improve therapeutic strategies.

Original Source(s)

Disruption of DNA methylation underpins the neuroinflammation induced by targeted CNS radiotherapy

  • by Thomas O Millner, Pratistha Panday, Yunchen Xiao, James G Nicholson, James R Boot, Zsharmaine Arpe, Paul A Stevens, Nadia N Rahman, Xinyu Zhang, Charles Mein, Neil Kitchen, Andrew W McEvoy, Edward McKintosh, Grainne S McKenna, Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos, Nicolae Radu Zabet, Rachel Lewis, Sara Badodi, Silvia Marino

  • April 29, 2025

Related Content

AI Scribes Lag Clinicians on Note Quality

A VHA study across 11 vendors finds AI-generated primary care notes score lower than clinician-written notes, with the largest deficits in thoroughness, organization, and usefulness

VCAM1 from Glial Cells Enhances the Advancement of Gliomas

Brain metastases from colorectal cancer – a retrospective dual center study