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Introduction: Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in normal growth and embryonic development by controlling the transcriptional activities of several genes. A growing number of epigenetic changes have been reported in the regulation of key genes involved in cancer and aging. Drugs with epigenetic modulatory activities, mainly histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, have received wider attention in aging and cancer research.

Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the major epigenetic alterations in cancer and aging, with special emphasis on possible therapeutic targets and interventions by dietary as well as bioactive phytochemicals.

Expert opinion: Some epigenetic-targeting drugs have received FDA approval and many others are undergoing different phases of clinical trials for cancer therapy. In addition to the synthetic compounds, several bioactive phytochemicals and dietary …