The article by Stephen B. Baylin and Peter A. Jones discusses the role of epigenetic changes in cancer, emphasizing their cooperation with genetic alterations to drive the cancer phenotype. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression, are crucial in cancer development. The authors highlight that epigenetic therapies, which aim to reverse these changes, are now standard for preleukemic disorders and lymphomas, and are emerging as a viable treatment for solid tumors. They also explore the biological basis of cancer, focusing on the interplay between oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, and the importance of chromatin structure and DNA methylation in cancer. The article delves into the mechanisms of DNA methylation homeostasis, the role of hypermethylation in gene silencing, and the significance of epigenetic gene silencing in early tumor progression. Additionally, it discusses the importance of loss of imprinting and the impact of IDH mutations on epigenetic deregulation in oncogenesis. The authors emphasize the need for further research to understand the precise contributions of epigenetic changes to cancer and to develop effective therapeutic strategies.The article by Stephen B. Baylin and Peter A. Jones discusses the role of epigenetic changes in cancer, emphasizing their cooperation with genetic alterations to drive the cancer phenotype. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression, are crucial in cancer development. The authors highlight that epigenetic therapies, which aim to reverse these changes, are now standard for preleukemic disorders and lymphomas, and are emerging as a viable treatment for solid tumors. They also explore the biological basis of cancer, focusing on the interplay between oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, and the importance of chromatin structure and DNA methylation in cancer. The article delves into the mechanisms of DNA methylation homeostasis, the role of hypermethylation in gene silencing, and the significance of epigenetic gene silencing in early tumor progression. Additionally, it discusses the importance of loss of imprinting and the impact of IDH mutations on epigenetic deregulation in oncogenesis. The authors emphasize the need for further research to understand the precise contributions of epigenetic changes to cancer and to develop effective therapeutic strategies.