Analysis of RET promoter CpG island methylation using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) pyrosequencing and methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM): impact on stage II colon cancer patient outcome

摘要

BackgroundAlready since the 1990s, promoter CpG island methylation markers have been considered promising diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive cancer biomarkers. However, so far, only a limited number of DNA methylation markers have been introduced into clinical practice. One reason why the vast majority of methylation markers do not translate into clinical applications is lack of independent validation of methylation markers, often caused by differences in methylation analysis techniques. We recently described RET promoter CpG island methylation as a potential prognostic marker in stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients of two independent series.