Challenges and emerging strategies for genome-wide evaluation of loss of imprinting in cancer
By
Muhammad Talal Amin
Louis Coussement
Tim De Meyer
June 9, 2026
Objective: To provide an overview of genomic imprinting, its dysregulation in cancer, and methodologies for assessing these changes.
Key Findings: Genomic imprinting results in monoallelic expression based on parental origin, regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Dysregulated imprinting is linked to congenital syndromes and various cancers. Technical challenges hinder the assessment of imprinting in cancer, affecting clinical research. Interpretation: The review discusses the complexity of assessing genomic imprinting in cancer and the need for improved methodologies.
Limitations: Methodological bottlenecks limit the translation of imprinting-based cancer biomarkers to clinical practice. Challenges include tumor heterogeneity and the requirement for heterozygosity to differentiate parental alleles. Conclusion: The review discusses recent advances and proposes innovative approaches in cancer imprinting research.
