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Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Estrogen receptor-alpha methylation predicts melanoma progression
Takuji Mori1, Steve R Martinez, Steven J O'Day
1Department of Molecular Oncology, Division of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute, 2200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.
Cancer Research
|July 5, 2006
Summary
Hypermethylation of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) is linked to melanoma progression. Increased ER-alpha methylation in metastatic melanomas and serum indicates a poorer prognosis, especially in advanced stages.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The role of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) in melanoma development and progression remains unclear.
- ER-alpha expression may be epigenetically regulated in melanoma through promoter CpG island hypermethylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ER-alpha hypermethylation in primary and metastatic melanomas.
- To evaluate serum ER-alpha methylation as a potential biomarker for melanoma progression and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Methylation-specific PCR was used to analyze ER-alpha methylation status in tumor tissues (n=107) and sera (n=109) from melanoma patients across AJCC stages I-IV.
- Clinical significance was assessed in stage IV patients receiving biochemotherapy with tamoxifen.
Main Results:
- ER-alpha was significantly more methylated in metastatic melanomas (86% in stage IV) compared to primary melanomas (36% in stage I).
- Serum methylated ER-alpha detection increased with advancing melanoma stage, being more frequent in advanced than localized disease (P=0.03).
- In stage IV patients on biochemotherapy, serum methylated ER-alpha was the sole predictor of progression-free survival (RR=2.64) and overall survival (RR=2.31).
Conclusions:
- Hypermethylated ER-alpha is a significant factor associated with melanoma progression.
- Serum methylated ER-alpha serves as an unfavorable prognostic indicator in melanoma patients.
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