Is cancer related to global DNA hypo or hypermethylation?
DNA hypermethylation and hypomethylation are independent processes and appear to play different roles in tumor progression.  Cancer cells are characterized by a generalized disruption of the DNA methylation pattern involving an overall decrease in the level of 5-methylcytosine together with regional hypermethylation of particular CpG islands. Tumors have reduced levels of genomic DNA methylation and contain hypermethylated CpG islands.