![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and even in Egypt. It is also considered one of the leading causes of death. Different lifestyle factors like physical inactivity, Diet and smoking in addition to other risk factors like inflammatory bowel disease and genetic predispositions can contribute to colorectal cancer development. Several tests can be used to diagnose colorectal cancer, like different stool tests, colonoscopy, genetic testing and even virtual colonoscopy. Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are all different tools in colorectal cancer management plans. DNA methylation is an important biological process through it the body controls genetic expressions without changing DNA sequence. DNA methylation in the gene promoter typically repress its transcription. ADHFE1 gene encodes for hydroxyacid-oxoacid transhydrogenase, which physiologically catalyzes the oxidation reaction of 4-hydroxybutyrate to succinate semialdehyde. ADHFE1 gene downregulation results in promotion of colorectal cancerous cells proliferation by down-regulation of p53, p21 and p27 and up-regulation of Cyclin D1 which are essential in cell cycle progression. The aim of the present study was to study the methylation status of ADHFE1 gene in cells of colorectal cancer and benign colorectal lesions in a cohort of Egyptian patients using real time methylation-specific PCR. In the present study 70 Egyptian adult patients were included and tissue samples were categorized according to histopathological examination and specimen type into 3 groups: group M (colorectal cancer): 35 samples with colorectal cancer obtained by open surgical excisional biopsy, group B (colorectal benign lesion): 35 samples with benign colorectal lesions obtained by endoscopic biopsy, group C (Control group): 35 samples of normal colorectal tissue obtained from outside the safety margin of each of surgically excised colorectal cancer specimen (from group M). The present study showed a statistically significant hypermethylation of ADHFE1 gene in colorectal cancer tissues (group M) and tissues from benign colorectal lesions (group B) in comparison with normal colorectal tissues (group C) (P < 0.01). While it didn’t show a statistical significant difference between extent of methylation of ADHFE1 between colorectal cancer tissues (group M) and benign colorectal lesions (group B) (P=0.622). Also comparing the extent of methylation of ADHFE1 with age variation among total sample in our study yields no statistical significant difference (P= 0.690). |