Hypermethylation of MT1G and MT1H CpGs Promoter Sites and High Serum Levels of Cu Affect Survival Rate of Patients Affected by Hepatocellular Carcinoma

摘要

Recent evidences suggest a principal role of trace elements and metallothioneins (MTs), proteins involved in metal ions homeostasis and detoxification, in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. The study was designed to evaluate whether serum and liver tissue concentrations of the trace elements Cu, Zn and Se are implicated in survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and if promoter DNA methylation is involved in trace elements-related proteins regulation.