Combined methylation of p16 and hMLH1 (CMETH2) discriminates a subpopulation with better prognosis in colorectal cancer patients with microsatellite instability tumors

Tumour Biol. 2015 May;36(5):3853-61. doi: 10.1007/s13277-014-3027-1. Epub 2015 Jan 10.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of p16 and hMLH1 genes simultaneous methylation in colorectal cancer patients with Microsatellite Instability (MSI) tumors. We also wanted to analyze the relationship with other clinical features, with BRAF gene V600E mutation and with prognosis. Samples from fifty one patients with MSI positive sporadic colorectal cancer were included. DNA was extracted from tumor samples. Promoter methylation was analyzed using bisulfite modification and was detected by quantitative methylation-specific PCR. BRAF gene was amplified using specific primers and mutations were detected by real time PCR. Simultaneous methylation was transformed in a new variable called CMETH2. Frequency of CMETH2 was analyzed and compared with other clinicopathological variables. 33.3 % of patients were positive for CMETH2 and 25 % had BRAF V600E mutation. CMETH2 was related with proximal location, with poorly differentiated tumors and with BRAF V600E mutation. CMETH2 only showed influence in the overall survival (OS) in patients with distal tumors. However, with regard to the disease free survival (DFS) measure, CMETH2 was independent prognostic factor. We were able to discriminate tumors with high methylation features using a transformation analysis of variables into a new computed one (CMETH2). CMETH2 has demonstrated to be a useful prognostic factor in MSI tumors. The prognostic value of CMETH2 in DFS was independent of other clinicopathological variables. The use of CMETH2 could help in the election of the best therapeutic alternative for CCR patients with MSI tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Aged
  • Cell Lineage
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / genetics*
  • DNA Methylation / genetics*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Instability
  • Middle Aged
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • MLH1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1