DNA stool test for colorectal cancer: hypermethylation of the secreted frizzled-related protein-1 gene.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate a potential mode of noninvasive screening for colorectal cancer, we evaluated the hypermethylation of the secreted frizzled-related protein-1 gene promoter in human stool DNA.

METHODS:

In stool samples from 36 patients with colorectal neoplasia (7 adenoma, 29 colorectal cancer) and 17 healthy control subjects, isolated DNA was treated with sodium bisulfite and analyzed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for methylated or unmethylated promoter sequences of the secreted frizzled-related protein-1 gene.

RESULTS:

Hypermethylation of the secreted frizzled-related protein-1 promoter was present in the stool DNA of patients with adenoma and colorectal cancer. A sensitivity of 89 percent and specificity of 86 percent were achieved in the detection of colorectal neoplasia. The difference in hypermethylation status of the secreted frizzled-related protein-1 promoter between the patients with colorectal neoplasia and the control group was statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). Adenoma and early tumor Stage I (International Union Against Cancer) displayed both unmethylated and methylated secreted frizzled-related protein-1 promoter sequences, whereas advanced tumor stages showed only methylated secreted frizzled-related protein-1 (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that this DNA stool test of hypermethylation of the secreted frizzled-related protein-1 promoter is a sensitive and specific method. It has the potential of a clinically useful test for the early detection of colorectal cancer.

• Authors: Wei Zhang, Michael Bauer, Roland S Croner, Jörg O W Pelz, Dimitri Lodygin, Heiko Hermeking, Michael Stürzl, Werner Hohenberger, Klaus E Matzel
• Journal: Diseases of the colon and rectum (Dis Colon Rectum) Vol. 50 Issue 10 Pg. 1618-26; discussion 1626-7 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0012-3706 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17762966 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Membrane Proteins
• SFRP1 protein, human

Topics

• Adenoma (diagnosis, genetics, metabolism)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma (diagnosis, genetics, metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Colorectal Neoplasms (diagnosis, genetics, metabolism)
• DNA Methylation
• Feasibility Studies
• Feces
• Female
• Humans
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Promoter Regions, Genetic (physiology)