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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
07:50

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Published on: September 18, 2020

The Double-Edged Sword of Genomic DNA Methylation: Orchestrating Gastric Carcinogenesis and Shaping Precision

Xuan Chen1, Chao Luo1, Wei Wen1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangsu Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nanjing, China.

Oncology Research
|August 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

DNA methylation plays a dual role in gastric cancer development and progression. This epigenetic mechanism offers potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and therapeutic guidance in precision oncology.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism influencing gene expression.
  • Gastric cancer development involves complex genetic and epigenetic alterations.
  • Epigenetic reprogramming, particularly DNA methylation, is implicated in gastric carcinogenesis, often influenced by factors like *Helicobacter pylori* infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the dual role of DNA methylation in gastric cancer initiation and progression.
  • To explore the clinical applications of DNA methylation in precision oncology for gastric cancer.
  • To analyze pathogenic mechanisms and biomarker potential of DNA methylation in gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and analysis of existing literature on DNA methylation in gastric cancer.
  • Focus on pathogenic mechanisms: tumor suppressor gene silencing, genomic instability, CpG island methylator phenotype, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • Exploration of clinical utility as biomarkers and epigenetic therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • DNA methylation contributes to gastric cancer through genome-wide hypomethylation and promoter-specific hypermethylation.
  • Key mechanisms include silencing tumor suppressors, inducing instability, promoting CpG island methylator phenotype, and facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • DNA methylation serves as a promising biomarker for early diagnosis, prognosis, recurrence monitoring, and predicting treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation is integral to gastric cancer pathogenesis and progression.
  • Methylation profiling holds significant potential for precision oncology in gastric cancer management.
  • Epigenetic therapies, such as hypomethylating agents, combined with other treatments, represent a future direction for integrated precision medicine.
Keywords:
DNA methylationbiomarkerepigeneticsgastric cancerhypomethylating agentsimmunotherapyliquid biopsyprecision oncology

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