EFS shows biallelic methylation in uveal melanoma with poor prognosis as well as tissue-specific methylation
2011

EFS Methylation in Uveal Melanoma and Its Prognostic Implications

Sample size: 40 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lisa C Neumann, Andreas Weinhäusel, Stefanie Thomas, Bernhard Horsthemke, Dietmar R Lohmann, Michael Zeschnigk

Primary Institution: Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen

Hypothesis

The study investigates the role of EFS methylation in uveal melanoma and its correlation with metastatic progression.

Conclusion

Biallelic EFS methylation is associated with a higher risk of metastatic progression in uveal melanoma.

Supporting Evidence

  • 50% of the analyzed tumors showed full EFS methylation.
  • Only tumors with EFS methylation developed metastases.
  • Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a significant correlation between EFS methylation and disease-free survival.

Takeaway

This study found that a specific change in DNA called EFS methylation can help predict if a type of eye cancer called uveal melanoma will spread to other parts of the body.

Methodology

EFS methylation was analyzed using direct sequencing of PCR products from bisulfite-treated DNA, and results were correlated with clinical features.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size for the initial analysis, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

The study included patients with uveal melanoma, with a mix of male and female participants aged 19 to 77 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.001

Statistical Significance

p = 0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-380

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