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USP44 Promoter Methylation in Plasma Cell-Free DNA in Prostate Cancer
Dora Londra1, Sophia Mastoraki1, Evangelos Bournakis2
1Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.
Cancers
|September 28, 2021
Summary
USP44 promoter methylation in cell-free DNA is a novel biomarker for metastatic prostate cancer. This finding offers significant prognostic information for overall survival in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Liquid biopsy analyzes circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for real-time cancer monitoring.
- USP44 gene is crucial for cell proliferation, with its promoter methylation observed in colorectal and breast cancers.
- The role of USP44 in other cellular networks and prostate cancer requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate USP44 promoter methylation in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from prostate cancer patients and healthy donors.
- To assess the prognostic value of USP44 promoter methylation in metastatic prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Developed a highly specific and sensitive real-time methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method.
- Analyzed plasma cfDNA from early-stage prostate cancer (n=32), metastatic prostate cancer (n=39), and healthy donors (n=10).
Main Results:
- USP44 promoter methylation was detected in plasma cfDNA of metastatic prostate cancer patients.
- USP44 promoter methylation detection significantly correlated with overall survival (p=0.008).
Conclusions:
- USP44 promoter methylation in plasma cfDNA is a novel and significant prognostic biomarker for metastatic prostate cancer.
- This finding provides valuable prognostic information for improving patient outcomes.
