Final answer:
Methylation of SHOX2 can suppress its expression and promote lung cancer by removing its tumor-suppressing functions. Drugs decreasing DNA methylation may restore these functions, aiding in cancer treatment. Knowing a cancer cell's gene expression pattern can inform treatment strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The possible explanation for how methylation of the gene SHOX2 could lead to lung cancer is that methylation of SHOX2 can suppress the gene's expression and promote lung cancer. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that can result in gene silencing. In certain cases, the methylation of tumor suppressor genes, like SHOX2, leads to decreased expression or complete silencing. This can remove the protective effects these genes have against uncontrolled cell proliferation, thereby contributing to the development of cancer.
New drugs that aim to decrease DNA methylation or prevent the removal of acetyl groups from histone proteins can re-activate these silenced genes, thereby restoring their tumor-suppressing functions. Understanding the gene expression pattern in a cancer cell is crucial for identifying the specific molecular alterations responsible for cancer development, which can guide personalized treatment strategies.