Stilbenoids as dietary regulators of the cancer epigenome

Aberrations in the epigenome, which consists of DNA methylation, covalent histone modifications, chromatin remodeling complexes, and noncoding RNA mechanisms, contribute to carcinogenesis by dysregulating expression of genes important for maintaining a healthy phenotype. Certain dietary polyphenols, such as stilbenoid compounds abundantly found in grapes and blueberries, have been shown to exert anti-cancer effects through reversal of aberrations in epigenetic gene regulation. Epigenetic mechanisms specifically associated with DNA methylation and histone modifying machineries are implicated in stilbenoid-mediated activation of tumor suppressor genes, downregulation of oncogenes, and inhibition of oncogenic signaling pathways. In addition, stilbenoids have been demonstrated to affect recruitment and binding of transcription factors and chromatin modifying complexes to DNA. The widespread effect of stilbenoid compounds on the epigenome, and consequently alterations of many genes and pathways, may be attractive in chemoprevention and support of anti-cancer therapy.