ATL

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the status of DNA methylation of 6 genes,LMX1A,NKX6-1,PAX1,PTPRR,SOX1, andZNF582, previously found from squamous cell carcinomas in adenocarcinomas (ACs) of the uterine cervix.MethodsWe assessed the methylation status of these genes in 40 ACs, cervical scrapings from 23 ACs, and 67 normal control cervices by real-time quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The results were validated by bisulfite pyrosequencing.ResultsThe methylation levels of all the 6 genes in the ACs were significantly higher than those in normal cervical tissues, especially forPAX1,PTPRR,SOX1, andZNF582. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of high methylation levels inPAX1,PTPRR,SOX1, andZNF582for the risk of developing an AC were 15.7 (95% CI, 7.0–40.6), 16.9 (95% CI, 7.6–43.0), 32.1 (95% CI, 12.1–124.3), and 25.4 (95% CI, 10.4–78.3), respectively (allP< 0.001). The methylation indices ofPAX1,PTPRR,SOX1, andZNF582recovered from scrapings of ACs were significantly higher than in normal controls. The odds ratios of these indices for the risk of developing an AC inPAX1,PTPRR,SOX1, andZNF582were 6.2 (95% CI, 2.6–15.4), 12.1(95% CI, 3.8–46.4), 6.2 (95% CI, 2.6–15.8), and 20.6 (95% CI, 6.9–77.5), respectively (allP< 0.001).ConclusionsCervical ACs carry aberrantly high methylation rates ofPAX1,PTPRR,SOX1, andZNF582—commonly methylated in squamous cell carcinomas—which might help for AC screening.