Regional methylome profiling reveals dynamic epigenetic heterogeneity and convergent hypomethylation of stem cell quiescence-associated genes in breast cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) induces a pathological complete response (pCR) in ~ 30% of patients with breast cancer. However, aberrant DNA methylation alterations are frequent events during breast cancer progression and acquisition of chemoresistance. We aimed to characterize the inter- and intra-tumor methylation heterogeneity (MH) in breast cancer following NAC.

Methods

DNA methylation profiles of spatially separated regions of breast tumors before and after NAC treatment were investigated using high-density methylation microarray. Methylation levels of genes of interest were further examined using multiplexed MethyLight droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

Results

We have discovered different levels of intra-tumor MH in breast cancer patients. Moreover, NAC dr

SUBMITTER: Luo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6367786 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature