Increased methylation of lung cancer-associated genes in sputum DNA of former smokers with chronic mucous hypersecretion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic mucous hypersecretion (CMH) contributes to COPD exacerbations and increased risk for lung cancer. Because methylation of gene promoters in sputum has been shown to be associated with lung cancer risk, we tested whether such methylation was more common in persons with CMH.

Methods

Eleven genes commonly silenced by promoter methylation in lung cancer and associated with cancer risk were selected. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to profile the sputum of 900 individuals in the Lovelace Smokers Cohort (LSC). Replication was performed in 490 individuals from the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study (PLuSS).

Results

CMH was significantly associated with an overall increased number of methylated genes, with SULF2 methylation demonstrating the most consis

SUBMITTER: Bruse S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3893562 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature