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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

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Methyl-binding DNA capture Sequencing for Patient Tissues
Published on: October 31, 2016
EFEMP1 as a novel DNA methylation marker for prostate cancer: array-based DNA methylation and expression profiling
Yong-June Kim1, Hyung-Yoon Yoon, Seon-Kyu Kim
1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea. urokyj@cbnu.ac.kr
Summary
Aberrant DNA methylation in prostate cancer (PCa) was investigated. Epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) methylation effectively distinguishes PCa from benign prostate hyperplasia, showing promise as a diagnostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Abnormal DNA methylation is a hallmark of numerous human cancers.
- Prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis can be challenging, necessitating novel biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel DNA methylation markers for prostate cancer (PCa) using microarray analysis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of identified markers in discriminating between normal and cancerous prostate cells.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression in prostate cell lines and human specimens.
- Validation using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR, bisulfite sequencing, and demethylation agents.
- Analysis of 203 prostate specimens (106 PCa, 97 benign prostate hyperplasia) and public GEO microarray data.
Main Results:
- Epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) was identified as a key methylation marker for PCa.
- EFEMP1 gene expression was significantly lower in PCa tissues compared to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) tissues (P < 0.001).
- EFEMP1 methylation achieved 95.3% sensitivity and 86.6% specificity in differentiating PCa from BPH.
Conclusions:
- Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling successfully identified aberrant methylation patterns of EFEMP1 in PCa.
- EFEMP1 methylation status represents a promising biomarker for accurate PCa detection.

