Inhibitor of DNA Binding Proteins in Tumours - Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Biology and Pathology - page 185

(2008) that ID4 re-expression is possible. Do note that the operative emphasis is on
targeted demethylation. Targeted methylation of specified genes is a possibility albeit
its practical value in a therapeutic setting is a long way away. Li et al. (2007c) have
demonstrated that methylation can be targeted to promoters of specific genes and
the selective methylation can lead to its repression. As the authors state this could
indeed offer a powerful means of regulating the inappropriate expression of genes.
Whether this approach will work in the natural genetic environment is an open ques-
tion. Finally, the demonstration of complex operation of IDs in the propagation and
maintenance of cancer stem cells has provided extra impetus to these efforts.