Methylation Signature for Prediction of Progression Free Survival in Surgically Treated Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Little is known about epigenetic silencing of genes by promoter hypermethylation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of this study was to identify prognostic methylation markers in surgically treated clear cell RCC (ccRCC).

Methylation patterns were assayed using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array on pairs of ccRCC and normal tissue from 12 patients. Using quantitative PSQ analysis, tumor-specific hypermethylated genes were validated in 25 independent cohorts and their clinical relevance was also verified in 152 independent cohorts.

Using genome-wide methylation array, Zinc finger protein 278 (ZNF278), Family with sequence similarity 155 member A (FAM155A) and Dipeptidyl peptidase 6 (DPP6) were selected for tumor-specific hypermethylated genes in primary ccRCC. The promoter methylation of these genes occurred more frequently in ccRCC than normal kidney in independent validation cohort. The hypermethylation of three genes were associated with advanced tumor stage and high grade tumor in ccRCC. During median follow-up of 39.2 (interquartile range, 15.4-79.1) months, 22 (14.5%) patients experienced distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis identified the methylation status of these three genes, either alone, or in a combined risk score as an independent predictor of distant metastasis.

The promoter methylation of ZNF278, FAM155A and DPP6 genes are associated with aggressive tumor phenotype and early development of distant metastasis in patients with surgically treated ccRCC. These potential methylation markers, either alone, or in combination, could provide novel targets for development of individualized therapeutic and prevention regimens.

Journal of Korean medical science. 2019 May 20*** epublish ***

Ho Won Kang, Hongyong Park, Sung Pil Seo, Young Joon Byun, Xuan Mei Piao, Sung Min Kim, Won Tae Kim, Seok Joong Yun, Wooyeong Jang, Ho Sun Shon, Keun Ho Ryu, Sang Cheol Lee, Wun Jae Kim, Yong June Kim

Department of Urology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea., Astellas Pharma Korea, Inc., Seoul, Korea., Clinical Genomics Analysis Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea., Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea., Department of Computer Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea., Department of Urology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea. .