DNA hypermethylation patterns of APC gene promoter in Vietnamese high-risk HPV infected patients

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in Vietnam. Virtually, cervical cancers are associated with infection of HPV (Human papilloma virus). In addition, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), leading by aberrant hypermethylation, an epigenetic mechanism, has been observed in cervical cancer development. Screening for early detection of cervical cancer is importantly increasing from Vietnam, therefore, in current study, we analyzed the aberrant methylation status of APC (Adenomatous polyposis coli) gene, its product has an important role in cell cycle control and maintenance of genomic stability, as the pattern of potential biomarker for cervical cancer in Vietnamese population. The liquid-based Pap test samples which were identified whether HPV-infected or low-risk HPV infected or nonHPV-infected were enrolled and analyzed by MSP (Methylation specific PCR). As the results, the hypermethylation of APC was reached to 75%, 12.5% and 30% in high-risk HPV genotype infected group, in low-risk HPV genotype infected group, and non-HPV genotype infection, respectively. Especially, the characteristic of high-risk HPV infection was also associated with the hypermethylation of candidate gene (p < 0.05). Moreover, the odds ratio and relative risk were found in the high value, counting for 10.5 (95%CI, 2.3 – 47.2) and 3.37 (95%CI, 1.3 – 8.3), respectively. In conclusion, these outcomes suggested that the aberrant hypermethylation of APC gene, which accessed in non-invasive samples, led to the potential biomarker and application in early prognosis and diagnosis to cervical cancer in Vietnamese population.