# Transient loss of Polycomb components induces an epigenetic cancer fate

*PRI Rank #7 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Epigenetics and DNA Methylation Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/epigenetics-and-dna-methylation/2026/rank-7*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #7 |
| 18m citations | 109 |
| Journal | Nature |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41586-024-07328-w |
| Corresponding authors | Anne‐Marie Martinez, Giacomo Cavalli |
| Institution | CNRS, France |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Epigenetics and DNA Methylation Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/epigenetics-and-dna-methylation/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1038/s41586-024-07328-w](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07328-w)

## Topics

Polycomb group proteins · epigenetic cancer fate · Epigenetic silencing · non-genetic tumorigenesis · Drosophila · JAK-STAT signaling pathway · zfh1 · ZEB1 oncogene · irreversible gene derepression · transient Polycomb perturbation · Epigenetic dysregulation · inheritance of altered cell fates · cancer initiation without driver mutations · Epigenetic dysregulation · malignant transformation

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Epigenetics and DNA Methylation Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/epigenetics-and-dna-methylation/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```