[DNA methylation defects in sporadic and hereditary colorectal cancer]

Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Aug-Sep;35(7):480-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2012.01.010. Epub 2012 Mar 27.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism in regulating the expression of genes controlling crucial cell functions in cancer development. Methylation defects (both global hypomethylation and hypermethylation of CpG islands) are implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Some nutrients have a clear effect on methylation, suggesting that some dietary-associated differences in the incidence of colorectal cancer could be due to the effect of diet on methylation. The presence of methylation defects has clear diagnostic and prognostic implications. Thus, several tests are being used for colorectal cancer screening based on methylated gene analysis, whether in feces or blood. In addition, the reversibility of methylation processes allows the development of chemotherapies that regulate this process through their antineoplastic activity.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / epidemiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / prevention & control
  • Adenoma / epidemiology
  • Adenoma / etiology
  • Adenoma / genetics
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Clonal Evolution
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • CpG Islands
  • DNA Methylation* / drug effects
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Diet
  • Drug Design
  • Folic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Genes, Neoplasm
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutation
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / drug therapy
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / epidemiology
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / genetics*
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use
  • Selenium / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Polyphenols
  • Folic Acid
  • Selenium