title: Promoter CpG island methylation markers in colorectal cancer: the road ahead.
abstract: Despite increasing knowledge on the biology, detection and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), the disease is still a major health problem. Hypermethylation of promoter regions of genes has been studied extensively as a contributor in CRC carcinogenesis. In addition, it is the topic of many studies focusing on biomarkers for the early detection, prediction of prognosis and treatment outcome. Methylation markers may be preferred over current screening and test methods as they are stable and easy to detect. However, almost no methylation marker is currently being used in clinical practice, often due to a lack of sensitivity, specificity, or validation of the results. This review summarizes the current knowledge of hypermethylation biomarkers for CRC detection, progression and treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology & Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Muriel X G
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Draht
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Riedl
authors.forename: Hanneke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niessen
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Gerrit A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Engeland
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Melotte
authors.forename: Kim M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Smits
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor