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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Methyl-binding DNA capture Sequencing for Patient Tissues
Published on: October 31, 2016
USP44, ZNF454, and GPRC5B ctDNA Methylation Markers in Breast Cancer: Limited Clinical Relevance for Disease
Young Ju Jeong1, Chang-Ho Jeon2, Hoon Kyu Oh3
1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Purpose:
This study aimed to identify breast cancer-specific circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) methylation markers that correspond to tissue DNA methylation.
Methods:
Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we selected breast cancer-specific DNA methylation markers. The methylation and expression patterns of candidate genes were analyzed in breast cancer cell lines and tissue samples. We also assessed the methylation status in ctDNA obtained from breast cancer patients and examined associations with the clinicopathological features.
Results:
Among candidate genes with breast cancer-specific methylation patterns, USP44, ZNF454, and GPRC5B were selected. The methylation status and expression of selected genes varied by molecular subtype of cancer in the cell line. In tissue samples, expression of all three genes was generally lower in breast cancer than in controls. ctDNA methylation patterns showed no significant change before and after treatment for each candidate gene. Correlations between gene expression and DNA methylation status or clinicopathological characteristics in cancer tissues differed among genes.
Conclusion:
Further studies are needed for clinical application of liquid biopsy using methylation analysis for ctDNA according to individual characteristics for breast cancer.
