Gene methylation profiles of normal mucosa, and benign and malignant colorectal tumors identify early onset markers
2008

Gene Methylation Profiles in Colorectal Tumors

Sample size: 154 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ahlquist Terje, Lind Guro E, Costa Vera L, Meling Gunn I, Vatn Morten, Hoff Geir S, Rognum Torleiv O, Skotheim Rolf I, Thiis-Evensen Espen, Lothe Ragnhild A

Primary Institution: Norwegian Radium Hospital, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

Hypothesis

This study aims to pinpoint epigenetic markers that can discriminate between non-malignant and malignant tissue from the large bowel.

Conclusion

Methylated ADAMTS1, MGMT, and MAL are suitable as markers for early tumor detection.

Supporting Evidence

  • The mean number of methylated genes per sample was significantly different among normal mucosa, adenomas, and carcinomas.
  • Hypermethylated CRABP1, MLH1, NR3C1, RUNX3, and SCGB3A1 were shown to be identifiers of carcinomas with microsatellite instability.
  • Overall, 6/21 of the normal samples, 9/18 of the cancer patient samples, 52/63 of the adenomas, and 48/52 of the carcinomas were methylated in one or more of the analyzed genes.

Takeaway

The study found that certain genes are more likely to be methylated in cancerous tissues compared to normal tissues, which can help in early cancer detection.

Methodology

The methylation status of eleven genes was determined in 154 tissue samples including normal mucosa, adenomas, and carcinomas.

Participant Demographics

The study included samples from cancer-free individuals and colorectal cancer patients, with median ages ranging from 52.5 to 70.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-4598-7-94

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