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Leucemia Linfocítica Crónica de Células B , Humanos , Leucemia Linfocítica Crónica de Células B/diagnóstico , Leucemia Linfocítica Crónica de Células B/tratamiento farmacológico , Clorhidrato de Bendamustina/efectos adversos , Ciclofosfamida/efectos adversos , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Molecular biomarkers assisting risk-group assignment and subsequent treatment stratification are urgently needed for patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck region (HNSCC). Aberrant methylation is a frequent event in cancer and, therefore, a promising source for potential biomarkers. Here, the methylation status of the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 3 (PITX3) was evaluated in HNSCC. METHODS: Using a quantitative real-time PCR, PITX3 methylation was assessed in a cohort of 326 HNSCC patients treated for localized or locally advanced disease (training cohort). The results were validated with Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip data from a 528 HNSCC patient cohort (validation cohort) generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network. RESULTS: PITX3 methylation was significantly higher methylated in tumor compared to normal adjacent tissue (NAT; training cohort: median methylation NAT 32.3%, tumor 71.8%, p < 0.001; validation cohort: median methylation NAT 16.9%, tumor 35.9%, p < 0.001). PITX3 methylation was also significantly correlated with lymph node status both in the training (p = 0.006) and validation (p < 0.001) cohort. PITX3 methylation was significantly higher in HPV-associated (p16-positive) tumors compared to p16-negative tumors (training cohort: 73.7 vs. 66.2%, p = 0.013; validation cohort: 40.0 vs. 33.1%, p = 0.015). Hypermethylation was significantly associated with the risk of death (training cohort: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.80, [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-2.69], p = 0.005; validation cohort: HR = 1.43, [95% CI 1.05-1.95], p = 0.022). In multivariate Cox analyses, PITX3 added independent prognostic information. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression analysis revealed an inverse correlation with PITX3 methylation in the TCGA cohort. CONCLUSIONS: PITX3 DNA methylation is an independent prognostic biomarker for overall survival in patients with HNSCC and might aid in the process of risk stratification for individualized treatment.
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Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Metilación de ADN , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Proteínas de Homeodominio/genética , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/genética , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/virología , Estudios de Cohortes , Epigénesis Genética , Femenino , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/virología , Humanos , Ganglios Linfáticos/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello , Análisis de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The rapid development of programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors has generated an urgent need for biomarkers assisting the selection of patients eligible for therapy. The use of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry, which has been suggested as a predictive biomarker, however, is confounded by multiple unresolved issues. The aim of this study therefore was to quantify PD-L1 DNA methylation (mPD-L1) in prostate tissue samples and to evaluate its potential as a biomarker in prostate cancer (PCa). RESULTS: In the training cohort, normal tissue showed significantly lower levels of mPD-L1 compared to tumor tissue. High mPD-L1 in PCa was associated with biochemical recurrence (BCR) in univariate Cox proportional hazards (hazard ratio (HR)=2.60 [95%CI: 1.50-4.51], p=0.001) and Kaplan-Meier analyses (p<0.001). These results were corroborated in an independent validation cohort in univariate Cox (HR=1.24 [95%CI: 1.08-1.43], p=0.002) and Kaplan-Meier analyses (p=0.029). Although mPD-L1 and PD-L1 protein expression did not correlate in the validation cohort, both parameters added significant prognostic information in bivariate Cox analysis (HR=1.22 [95%CI: 1.05-1.42], p=0.008 for mPD-L1 and HR=2.58 [95%CI: 1.43-4.63], p=0.002 for PD-L1 protein expression). METHODS: mPD-L1 was analyzed in a training cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n=498) and was subsequently measured in an independent validation cohort (n=299) by quantitative methylation-specific real-time PCR. All patients had undergone radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: mPD-L1 is a promising biomarker for the risk stratification of PCa patients and might offer additional relevant prognostic information to the implemented clinical parameters, particularly in the setting of immune checkpoint inhibition.
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Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Metilación de ADN , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Neoplasias de la Próstata/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Próstata/cirugía , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Pronóstico , Prostatectomía/métodos , Neoplasias de la Próstata/patología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The CXCR4/CXCL12 axis plays a central role in systemic metastasis of prostate carcinoma (PCa), thereby representing a promising target for future therapies. Recent data suggest that the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis is functionally linked to the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. We evaluated the prognostic value of aberrant CXCL12 DNA methylation with respect to PD-L1 expression in primary PCa. RESULTS: CXCL12 methylation showed a consistent significant correlation with Gleason grading groups in both cohorts (p < 0.001 for training and p = 0.034 for testing cohort). Short BCR-free survival was significantly associated with aberrant CXCL12 methylation in both cohorts and served as an independent prognostic factor in the testing cohort (hazard ratio = 1.92 [95%CI: 1.12-3.27], p = 0.049). Concomitant aberrant CXCL12 methylation and high PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with shorter BCR-free survival (p = 0.005). In comparative analysis, the CXCL12 methylation assay was able to provide approximately equivalent results in biopsy and prostatectomy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CXCL12 methylation was determined by means of a methylation specific quantitative PCR analysis in a radical prostatectomy patient cohort (n = 247, training cohort). Data published by The Cancer Genome Atlas served as a testing cohort (n = 498). CXCL12 methylation results were correlated to clinicopathological parameters including biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: CXCL12 methylation is a powerful prognostic biomarker for BCR in PCa patients after radical prostatectomy. Further studies need to ascertain if CXCL12 methylation may aid in planning active surveillance strategies.
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Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Quimiocina CXCL12/genética , Metilación de ADN , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Neoplasias de la Próstata/genética , Estudios de Cohortes , Humanos , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Análisis Multivariante , Clasificación del Tumor , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/métodos , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Prostatectomía/métodos , Neoplasias de la Próstata/patología , Neoplasias de la Próstata/cirugíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Molecular biomarkers that might help to distinguish between more aggressive and clinically insignificant prostate cancers (PCa) are still urgently needed. Aberrant DNA methylation as a common molecular alteration in PCa seems to be a promising source for such biomarkers. In this study, PITX3 DNA methylation (mPITX3) and its potential role as a prognostic biomarker were investigated. Furthermore, mPITX3 was analyzed in combination with the established PCa methylation biomarker PITX2 (mPITX2). METHODS: mPITX3 and mPITX2 were assessed by a quantitative real-time PCR and by means of the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. BeadChip data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network. DNA methylation differences between normal adjacent, benign hyperplastic, and carcinomatous prostate tissues were examined in the TCGA dataset as well as in prostatectomy specimens from the University Hospital Bonn. Retrospective analyses of biochemical recurrence (BCR) were conducted in a training cohort (n = 498) from the TCGA and an independent validation cohort (n = 300) from the University Hospital Bonn. All patients received radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: In PCa tissue, mPITX3 was increased significantly compared to normal and benign hyperplastic tissue. In univariate Cox proportional hazards analyses, mPITX3 showed a significant prognostic value for BCR (training cohort: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.83 (95 % CI 1.07-3.11), p = 0.027; validation cohort: HR = 2.56 (95 % CI 1.44-4.54), p = 0.001). A combined evaluation with PITX2 methylation further revealed that hypermethylation of a single PITX gene member (either PITX2 or PITX3) identifies an intermediate risk group. CONCLUSIONS: PITX3 DNA methylation alone and in combination with PITX2 is a promising biomarker for the risk stratification of PCa patients and adds relevant prognostic information to common clinically implemented parameters. Further studies are required to determine whether the results are transferable to a biopsy-based patient cohort. Trial registration: Patients for this unregistered study were enrolled retrospectively.
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Metilación de ADN , Proteínas de Homeodominio/genética , Prostatectomía/métodos , Neoplasias de la Próstata/cirugía , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Pronóstico , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Neoplasias de la Próstata/genética , Estudios Retrospectivos , Análisis de Supervivencia , Proteína del Homeodomínio PITX2RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (HNSCC) is a common malignant disease accompanied by a high risk of local or distant recurrence after curative-intent treatment. Biomarkers that allow for the prediction of disease outcome can guide clinicians with respect to treatment and surveillance strategies. Here, the methylation status of PITX2 and an adjacent lncRNA (PANCR) were evaluated for their ability to predict overall survival in HNSCC patients. RESULTS: PITX2 hypermethylation was associated with a better overall survival (hazard ratio, HR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.35-0.74, p<0.001), while PANCR hypermethylation was significantly associated with an increased risk of death (HR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.12-2.39, p=0.010). METHODS: Quantitative, methylation-specific real-time PCR assays for PITX2 and PANCR were employed to measure bisulfite-converted DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues in a cohort of 399 patients with localized or locally advanced HNSCC who received curative-intent treatment (surgery with optional adjuvant radiochemotherapy or definite radiochemotherapy). CONCLUSIONS: PITX2 and PANCR methylation status were shown to be independent predictors for overall survival in HNSCC patients. Tissue-based methylation testing could therefore potentially be employed to identify patients with a high risk for death who might benefit from a more radical or alternative treatment.
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Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/mortalidad , Metilación de ADN , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/mortalidad , Proteínas de Homeodominio/genética , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Adulto , Anciano , Biomarcadores de Tumor , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/cirugía , Femenino , Estudios de Asociación Genética , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/cirugía , Humanos , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Clasificación del Tumor , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Factores de Riesgo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello , Proteína del Homeodomínio PITX2RESUMEN
DNA methylation analyses usually require a preceding bisulfite conversion of the DNA. The choice of an appropriate kit for a specific application should be based on the specific performance requirements with regard to the respective sample material. In this study, the performance of nine kits was evaluated: EpiTect Fast FFPE Bisulfite Kit, EpiTect Bisulfite Kit, EpiTect Fast DNA Bisulfite Kit (Qiagen), EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kit, EZ DNA Methylation-Direct Kit, EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning Kit (Zymo Research), innuCONVERT Bisulfite All-In-One Kit, innuCONVERT Bisulfite Basic Kit, innuCONVERT Bisulfite Body Fluids Kit (Analytik Jena). The kit performance was compared with regard to DNA yield, DNA degradation, DNA purity, conversion efficiency, stability and handling using qPCR, UV, clone sequencing, HPLC, and agarose gel electrophoresis. All kits yielded highly pure DNA suitable for PCR analyses without PCR inhibition. Significantly higher yields were obtained when using the EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kit and the innuCONVERT Bisulfite kits. Conversion efficiency ranged from 98.7% (EpiTect Bisulfite Kit) to 99.9% (EZ DNA Methylation-Direct Kit). The inappropriate conversion of methylated cytosines to thymines varied between 0.9% (innuCONVERT Bisulfite kits) and 2.7% (EZ DNA Methylation-Direct Kit). Time-to-result ranged from 131 min (innuCONVERT kits) to 402 min (EpiTect Bisulfite Kit). Hands-on-time was between 66 min (EZ DNA Methylation-Lightning Kit) and 104 min (EpiTect Fast FFPE and Fast DNA Bisulfite kits). Highest yields from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections without prior extraction were obtained using the innuCONVERT Bisulfite All-In-One Kit while the EZ DNA Methylation-Direct Kit yielded DNA with only low PCR-amplifiability. The innuCONVERT Bisulfite All-In-One Kit exhibited the highest versatility regarding different input sample materials (extracted DNA, tissue, FFPE tissue, cell lines, urine sediment, and cellular fractions of bronchial aspirates, pleural effusions, ascites). The innuCONVERT Bisulfite Body Fluids Kit allowed for the analysis of 3 ml plasma, serum, ascites, pleural effusions and urine.
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Líquidos Corporales/química , Línea Celular/química , Metilación de ADN , ADN/análisis , Juego de Reactivos para Diagnóstico/normas , Humanos , SulfitosRESUMEN
Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues represent a valuable source for biomarker studies and clinical routine diagnostics. However, they suffer from degradation of nucleic acids due to the fixation process. Since genetic and epigenetic studies usually require PCR amplification, this degradation hampers its use significantly, impairing PCR robustness or necessitating short amplicons. In routine laboratory medicine a highly robust PCR performance is mandatory for the clinical utility of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers. Therefore, methods to improve PCR performance using DNA from FFPE tissue are highly desired and of wider interest. The effect of template DNA derived from FFPE tissues on PCR performance was investigated by means of qPCR and conventional PCR using PCR fragments of different sizes. DNA fragmentation was analyzed via agarose gel electrophoresis. This study showed that poor PCR amplification was partly caused by inhibition of the DNA polymerase by fragmented DNA from FFPE tissue and not only due to the absence of intact template molecules of sufficient integrity. This PCR inhibition was successfully minimized by increasing the polymerase concentration, dNTP concentration and PCR elongation time thereby allowing for the robust amplification of larger amplicons. This was shown for genomic template DNA as well as for bisulfite-converted template DNA required for DNA methylation analyses. In conclusion, PCR using DNA from FFPE tissue suffers from inhibition which can be alleviated by adaptation of the PCR conditions, therefore allowing for a significant improvement of PCR performance with regard to variability and the generation of larger amplicons. The presented solutions to overcome this PCR inhibition are of tremendous value for clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.
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ADN/metabolismo , Formaldehído/química , Adhesión en Parafina , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/normas , Moldes Genéticos , Fijación del Tejido , Metilación de ADN , ADN Polimerasa Dirigida por ADN/metabolismo , Sitios Genéticos/genética , Genoma Humano/genética , Humanos , SulfitosRESUMEN
Pleural effusions (PE) are a common clinical problem. The discrimination between benign (BPE), malignant (MPE) and paramalignant (PPE) pleural effusions is highly important to ensure appropriate patient treatment. Today, cytology is the gold standard for diagnosing malignant pleural effusions. However, its sensitivity is limited due to the sometimes low abundance of tumor cells and the challenging assessment of cell morphology in cytological samples. This study aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic test, which allows for the highly specific detection of malignant cells in pleural effusions based on the DNA methylation biomarkers SHOX2 and SEPT9. A quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed which enabled the accurate and sensitive detection of SHOX2 and SEPT9 in PEs. Cytological and DNA methylation analyses were conducted in a case control study comprised of PEs from 114 patients (58 cases, 56 controls). Cytological analysis as well as SHOX2 and SEPT9 methylation resulted in 100% specificity. 21% of the cases were cytologically positive and 26% were SHOX2 or SEPT9 methylation positive. The combined analysis of cytology and DNA methylation resulted in an increase of 71% positively classified PEs from cancer patients as compared to cytological analysis alone. The absolute sensitivity of cytology and DNA methylation was not determinable due to the lack of an appropriate gold standard diagnostic for distinguishing between MPEs and PPEs. Therefore, it was unclear which PEs from cancer patients were malignant (containing tumor cells) and which PEs were paramalignant and resulted from benign conditions in cancer patients, respectively. Furthermore, DNA methylation analysis in PEs allowed the prognosis of the overall survival in cancer patients (Kaplan-Meier analysis, log rank test, p=0.02 (SHOX2), p=0.02 (SEPT9)). The developed test may be used as a diagnostic and prognostic adjunct to existing clinical and cytopathological investigations in patients with PEs of unclear etiology.