DNA methylation in urothelial carcinoma.
DNA methylation alterations are common in urothelial carcinoma, a prevalent cancer worldwide caused predominantly by chemical carcinogens. Recent studies have proposed sets of hypermethylated genes as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers from urine or tissue samples, which require validation. Other studies have revealed intriguing links between specific carcinogens and DNA methylation alterations in cancer tissues or blood that might clarify carcinogenesis mechanisms and aid prevention. Like DNA methylation alterations, mutations in chromatin regulators are frequent, underlining the importance of epigenetic changes. However, the relations between the two changes and their functions in urothelial carcinogenesis remain unclear. Transcription factor genes with altered methylation deserve particular interest. Elucidating the functional impact of methylation changes is a prerequisite for their therapeutic targeting.
Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Wolfgang A
WA
Schulz
Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Germany.
Wolfgang
W
Goering
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D019175:DNA Methylation; D006801:Humans; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
CpG-island hypermethylation; DNA methylation; bladder cancer; carcinogenesis; chromatin regulator; retroelement hypomethylation; transcription factors; urine biomarkers; urothelial carcinoma