Mapping geographic zones of cancer risk with epigenetic biomarkers in normal breast tissue

Pearlly S. Yan, Chinnambally Venkataramu, Ashraf Ibrahim, Joseph C. Liu, Rulong Z. Shen, Nils M. Diaz, Barbara Centeno, Frank Weber, Yu Wei Leu, Charles L. Shapiro, Charis Eng, Timothy J. Yeatman, Tim H.M. Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

188 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Genetic alterations were previously identified in normal epithelia adjacent to invasive cancers. The aim of this study was to determine DNA methylation in histologically normal tissues from multiple geographic zones adjacent to primary breast tumors. Experimental Design: First, methylation status of a 4-kb region of RASSF1A promoter was interrogated using oligonucleotide-based microarray in 144 samples (primary tumors, 47; adjacent normals, 69; reduction mammoplasty tissues, 28). Second, allelic imbalance (AI)/loss of heterozygosity (LOH) surrounding RASSF1A promoter were analyzed in 30 samples (tumors, 8; adjacent normals, 22). Third, global methylation screening of 49 samples (tumors, 12; adjacent normals, 25; reduction mammoplasty, 12) was done by differential methylation hybridization. Real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR was used to validate the microarray findings. Results: DNA methylation in the core RASSF1A promoter was low in reduction mammoplasty tissues (P = 0.0001) when compared with primary tumors. The adjacent normals had an intermediate level of methylation. The regions surrounding the core were highly methylated in all sample types. Microsatelltte markers showed AI/LOH in tumors and some of the adjacent normals. Concurrent AI/LOH and DNA methylation in RASSF1A promoter occurred in two of six tumors. Global methylation screening uncovered genes more methylated in adjacent normals than in reduction mammoplasty tissues. The methylation status of four genes was confirmed by quantitative methylation-specific PCR. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a field of methylation changes extending as far as 4 cm from primary tumors. These frequent alterations may explain why normal tissues are at risk for local recurrence and are useful in disease prognostication.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6626-6636
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume12
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mapping geographic zones of cancer risk with epigenetic biomarkers in normal breast tissue'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this