Figure 3.

Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are putative biomarkers for responsiveness and resistance in perturbation of enhancer activity. (a) In a responsive context, inhibiting an enhancer leads to a decrease in the activity of oncogenic target genes. In this case, high levels of eRNA can predict responsiveness to a specific inhibitor by providing a direct readout of enhancer activity. (b) In case of resistance, compensating mechanisms such as the activation of a different enhancer program can occur. Thereby, high levels of different eRNAs can predict resistance to a certain therapy. (c) To re-sensitize cells, compensatory mechanisms should also be targeted to ensure therapeutic success.