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Updated: May 7, 2025

Comprehensive DNA Methylation Analysis Using a Methyl-CpG-binding Domain Capture-based Method in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients
Published on: June 16, 2017
DNA methylation analysis from oral brushing reveals a field cancerization effect in proliferative verrucous
Andrea Gabusi1, Davide Bartolomeo Gissi1, Giulia Querzoli2
1Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Section of Oral Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to analyze the methylation status in patients who presented with an Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) concomitantly with multifocal Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia (PVL)(PVL-OSCC).
Methods:
Nine patients with OSCC and concomitant PVL lesions were selected. Two brushing samples were collected simultaneously from OSCC and PVL lesions in contralateral mucosa from each patient. 15 genes (272 CpGs) were used to compare methylation profiles of PVL-OSCC and paired OSCC. CpGs with a methylation level superimposable between PVL-OSCC and contralateral OSCC were selected for a comparative analysis between PVL-OSCC, 8 PVL patients with no history of OSCC (PVL) and 23 healthy donors. Samples were also tested using an algorithm that was recently validated for epigenetic alterations in OSCC.
Results:
220/272 CpGs islands (80%) showed a superimposable methylation level in OSCC and in PVL-OSCC. 10 genes (88 CpGs) and in particular PARP15 and ITGA4 (100% of the studied CpGs) were able to stratify PVL-OSCC from PVL and healthy donors. 3/4 (75%) PVL-OSCC patients with a "positive" algorithm score developed second neoplastic events compared to only 1/5 (20%) patients with a "negative" score.
Conclusions:
The present study provides evidence that PVL shares an aberrant methylation profile with contralateral OSCC. In agreement with the theory of field cancerization, our data point towards the potential role of epigenetics in patients at risk of developing multiple neoplastic events.
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