CpG islands: their potential as biomarkers for cancer

Abstract

In general, DNA methylation acts in concert with other epigenetic processes, including histone modifications, chromatin remodeling and microRNAs, to shape the overall chromatin structure of the nucleus and potentially modify its functional state. Aberrant DNA methylation events can occur in a number of human diseases but we are only just beginning to appreciate the scope and magnitude of this process in human health. As one example, in contrast to normal cells, the cancer methylome is characterized by reciprocal hypermethylation of specific regulatory regions of genes along with an overall decrease in the quantity of 5-methylcytosine throughout the remainder of the genome. Currently, near genome-wide technologies are available and have been utilized to examine the extent of DNA methylation in discovery-based studies involving several physiological and disease states. Although early in the process, DNA methylation is being explored as a biomarker to be used in clinical practice for early detection of disease, tumor classification and for predicting disease outcome or recurrence. This perspective focuses on the current and future states of the use of DNA methylation biomarkers in disease diagnosis, prognosis and classification, with a particular emphasis on cancer.

DNA Methylation and Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

“…Lastly, epigenetic events can interact with several cell cycle regulators (Chuang et al, 1997). Deregulated gene expression via DNA methylation has also been recognized as a key factor of aging (Qureshi and Mehler,in press) and many kinds of pathologies (Shi et al, 2007). To date, DNA methylation is emerging as functions in not only cancer but also neurological, cardiovascular (Frey, 2005), and immunological diseases (Shi et al, 2007;Esteller, 2006).…”

“…Deregulated gene expression via DNA methylation has also been recognized as a key factor of aging (Qureshi and Mehler,in press) and many kinds of pathologies (Shi et al, 2007). To date, DNA methylation is emerging as functions in not only cancer but also neurological, cardiovascular (Frey, 2005), and immunological diseases (Shi et al, 2007;Esteller, 2006). In the following sections, we will discuss what is known about DNA methylation changes in lung cancer and how these alterations are applied potentially to diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.…”

Epigenetic mechanisms regulating neural development and pediatric brain tumor formation

“…35 It has been shown that DNA methylation in different body fluids reflects the methylation patterns found in primary tumors. 130 For example, methylation of the p16…”

PCR-Based Methods for Detecting Single-Locus DNA Methylation Biomarkers in Cancer Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Response to Treatment

“…Thus, aberrant methylation of the promoters of a number of genes shows great promise as biomarkers for early detection (11,12 ) and predicting prognosis (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Furthermore, tumor-derived circulating DNA from apoptotic cancer cells can often be detected in the serum and other body fluids obtained from can-cer patients (18 ).…”