ER Promoter Methylation in Colorectal Cancer Lymph Nodes
Author Information
Author(s): Harder J, Engelstaedter V, Usadel H, Lassmann S, Werner M, Baier P, Otto F, Varbanova M, Schaeffner E, Olschewski M, Blum H E, Opitz O G
Primary Institution: University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
Hypothesis
Is ER promoter methylation in lymph nodes a predictor of local recurrence in colorectal cancer patients?
Conclusion
ER promoter methylation in lymph nodes may help identify colorectal cancer patients at high risk for local recurrence.
Supporting Evidence
- 31% of patients had ER methylation-positive lymph nodes.
- 86% of patients with positive ER methylation remained disease-free.
- None of the patients without ER methylation experienced local relapse.
Takeaway
The study looked at whether changes in a specific gene in lymph nodes can help doctors know if colorectal cancer might come back after surgery.
Methodology
The study analyzed the methylation status of the ER promoter in lymph nodes from 49 colorectal cancer patients using quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR.
Limitations
The small number of recurrences limits the ability to perform a statistical multivariable analysis.
Participant Demographics
{"mean_age":67,"gender_distribution":{"male":24,"female":25},"UICC_stage":{"I":11,"II":38}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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