Demethylation of H3K9me2/3 or H3K36me3 and enzymatic activity independent recruitment of chromatin factors to methylated genomic loci to which KDM4A are bound can affect processes that maintain genomic stability. Alterations to these functions (usually by over amplification of KDM4A) results in loss of chromatin integrity and contributes to tumor progression. Additional studies focused on non-nuclear targets of KDM4A could reveal additional as yet unknown modes to generate genomic instability.