Both genetic and epigenetic alterations can control the progression of cancer, and epigenetic alterations are frequent in cancer. However, the functional effects of epigenetic alterations still remain unclear. The approach of the project group is to use large scale 'omics data and advanced bioinformatic and biostatistical tools to identify cancer-promoting biological functions under epigenetic dysregulation, and to use CRISPR epigenetic editing to assess the causal regulatory role of epigenetic alterations. This knowledge will be used to develop refined classification of breast cancer patients and novel treatment strategies. 

Contact information

thomas.fleischer@rr-research.no

Key publications

• Ankill J, ..., Fleischer T, Integrative pan-cancer analysis reveals a common architecture of dysregulated transcriptional networks characterized by loss of enhancer methylation, bioRxiv 2023
• Fleischer T, ..., Engebraaten O, Kristensen VN, An integrated ‘omics approach highlights the role of epigenetic events to explain and predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and bevacizumab, bioRxiv 2022 
• Ankill J, ..., Fleischer T, Epigenetic alterations at distal enhancers are linked to proliferation in human breast cancer, NAR Cancer 2022, PubMed 35350772
• Fleischer T*, Tekpli X*, ..., Kristensen VN, DNA methylation at enhancers identifies distinct breast cancer lineages, Nat Commun 2017, PubMed 29123100
• Fleischer T, ..., Kristensen VN (2014), Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in progression to in situ and invasive carcinoma of the breast with impact on gene transcription and prognosis, Genome Biol 2014, PubMed 25146004