Promoter hypermethylation of BCL6B gene is a potential plasma DNA biomarker for gastric cancer

Biomarkers. 2013 Dec;18(8):721-5. doi: 10.3109/1354750X.2013.853839. Epub 2013 Nov 6.

Abstract

We previously showed that BCL6B acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer and up to 66% gastric cancer patients have promoter hypermethylation in tumor tissues. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of detecting BCL6B methylation in plasma DNA as a potential biomarker for gastric cancer. Hypermethylation of the CpG islands in BCL6B promoter was detected in 42.5% (17/40) plasma DNA samples from gastric cancer patients, while no methylation was found in the plasma DNA of healthy controls (p < 0.001). BCL6B methylation may serve as a novel potential non-invasive plasma biomarker for the detection of gastric cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • CpG Islands
  • DNA Methylation*
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Neoplasm / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / blood*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • BCL6B protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Repressor Proteins