Epigenetic Changes Can Cause Cancer. A transgene designed to attract methylation to the promoter of a tumor-suppressor gene leads to tumorigenesis in a mouse model.By Ashley P. Taylor | July 25, 2014. Changes in gene methylation alone can trigger cancer, according to a mouse study published today (July 25) in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. transgene designed to attract methylation to the promoter of a tumor-suppressor gene leads to tumorigenesis in a mouse model. By Ashley P. Taylor | July 25, 2014. Changes in gene methylation alone can trigger cancer, according to a mouse study published today (July 25) in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.