Editorial: Nutritional epigenetics and cancer prevention: mechanisms and biomarkers

The global incidence of cancer has risen steadily in recent decades and is expected to increase further due to population aging. Approximately 44% of cancer-related deaths are considered preventable. Combinational strategies involving bioactive compounds may exert synergistic effects through epigenetic modifications, including changes in DNA methylation, non-coding RNA expression, and histone modifications (Tsai et al., 2025).Advances in genomic and epigenetic technologies now allow more precise identification of individual susceptibility, supporting targeted prevention strategies (Lin et al., 2025). Understanding the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis enables the identification of predictive biomarkers and contributes to improved prevention (Golemis et al., 2018).Pharmaceuticals combined with life-style changes, nutritional factors or phytonutrients, and immune-based therapies are promising. Their efficacy may be influenced by epigenetic regulation, potentially modulated by diet. Additional factors-such as nutrigenomics, microbiome interactions, physical activity, and metabolic or inflammatory diseases-also warrant attention and are closely linked to dietary habits (Chopra et al., 2022).Molecular modeling, along with in vitro and in vivo approaches, are capable to elucidate molecular pathways and biomarkers. Clinical and epidemiological studies, especially when supported by artificial intelligence, may reveal complex associations between lifestyle and health outcomes. Reviews and meta-analyses also play a key role in synthesizing evidence (Alowais et al., 2023). Ultimately, such knowledge may guide targeted interventions to improve life expectancy through modification of lifestyle factors, particularly diet (Fekete et al., 2025).Xing Tian et al. in their article Methionine Restriction in Cancer: A Dietary Insight for Therapy reviewed methionine restriction (MR) as an anti-cancer strategy. Methionine, an essential amino acid, is critical for protein synthesis and metabolic processes. Many cancer cells depend on external methionine due to defects in its recycling pathway, making MR a promising therapeutic approach. MR disrupts one-carbon metabolism and reduces levels of Sadenosylmethionine, a key methyl donor, thereby affecting DNA and histone methylation. Experimental studies show that MR suppresses tumor growth and enhances the efficacy of conventional therapies, highlighting its potential in precision oncology. Using Lasso-Cox regression, the study identified blood-based biomarkers associated with recurrence, treatment failure, and disease progression. Newly developed nutritional risk indices demonstrated strong predictive value and improved risk stratification compared to existing models. These findings suggest that nutritional biomarkers can support personalized treatment decisions, although further validation is warranted.The studies in this Special Issue highlight the strong connections between nutrition, metabolism, and disease-related biological processes. They elucidate dietary interventions such as methionine restriction, the therapeutic potential of plant-derived compounds, and the role of nutritional biomarkers in predicting clinical outcomes.Despite differences in methodology, all studies indicate that metabolic processes, oxidative balance, and nutritional status significantly influence disease development, progression, and treatment response. These findings highlight the growing integration of nutrition science, molecular biology, and clinical research in understanding complex diseases.Further research should validate experimental findings on dietary interventions and plantderived compounds through well-designed clinical studies. The integration of nutritional and metabolic biomarkers into clinical models represents a promising direction for improving risk stratification and treatment decisions.Advances in metabolomics, molecular epidemiology, and systems biology may further clarify how nutritional factors influence disease mechanisms. In the long term, such interdisciplinary approaches may enable the development of personalized preventive and therapeutic strategies in which nutrition plays a central clinical role.