Unraveling oncogenesis: What makes cancer tick?
Recent discoveries in cancer biology may bring forward an additional collection of tools in physicians’ arsenal of cancer therapeutics. Scientists now know that many cancer-associated mutations affect chromatin regulation and the function of multiprotein transcriptional complexes, which can ultimately lead to cancer development and growth. This knowledge may be used to develop future clinical approaches.

The ASBMB annual meeting is around the corner, and attendees can expect a wide variety of symposia offerings throughout the event. One of the symposia, oncogenic hubs: chromatin regulatory and transcriptional complexes in cancer, will focus on the role of transcriptional dysregulation, histone modification and chromatin regulatory complexes in cancer formation. of Harvard Medical School and of Duke University School of Medicine organized and will lead the session.
Wang, a current Journal of Biological Chemistry editorial board member and 2022 ASBMB Young Investigator Award recipient, said the symposium will focus on cancer but encouraged attendees from all fields to participate in the session.
“These topics can be applied to many other diseases as well,” Wang said.
According to Kadoch, the topics covered at the symposium directly relate to patient care and developing novel therapeutic approaches.
“We’re at a unique moment in time in which the learnings from first-in-class approaches in the clinic are coming back to the bench to inform new questions and propel next-step advances,” Kadoch said. “(We) hope this section of the ASBMB meeting does a good job of covering that.”
Wang added: “(This field) elevates basic science to the translational level to ultimately benefit patients.”
Kadoch and Wang selected a diverse array of speakers who study the role of molecular condensates, extrachromosomal DNA, chromatin regulatory machinery, epigenetics and more in cancer.
“I am particularly excited about the interplay of the speakers within the section and the opportunity for our audiences to take away numerous new approaches to exploring some of the most pressing biological questions relating to oncogenic hubs,” Kadoch said.
Check out the full to get the most out of #ASBMB25.
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreFeatured jobs
from the
Get the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Science
Science highlights or most popular articles

What’s in a diagnosis?
When Jessica Foglio’s son Ben was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the label didn’t feel right. Whole exome sequencing revealed a rare disorder called Salla disease. Now Jessica is building community and driving research for answers.

Peer through a window to the future of science
Aaron Hoskins of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Sandra Gabelli of Merck, co-chairs of the 2026 ASBMB annual meeting, to be held March 7–10, explain how this gathering will inspire new ideas and drive progress in molecular life sciences.

Glow-based assay sheds light on disease-causing mutations
University of Michigan researchers create a way to screen protein structure changes caused by mutations that may lead to new rare disease therapeutics.

How signals shape DNA via gene regulation
A new chromatin isolation technique reveals how signaling pathways reshape DNA-bound proteins, offering insight into potential targets for precision therapies. Read more about this recent ɬÀï·¬ paper.

A game changer in cancer kinase target profiling
A new phosphonate-tagging method improves kinase inhibitor profiling, revealing off-target effects and paving the way for safer, more precise cancer therapies tailored to individual patients. Read more about this recent ɬÀï·¬ paper.

How scientists identified a new neuromuscular disease
NIH researchers discover Morimoto–Ryu–Malicdan syndrome, after finding shared symptoms and RFC4 gene variants in nine patients, offering hope for faster diagnosis and future treatments.