Quantitative assessment of gene promoter methylation in non-small cell lung cancer using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting

DNA methylation is closely associated with aberrant epigenetic changes. Previous studies have identified various genes associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the precise combination responsible for its etiology is still debated. The aim of the present study was to select a new set of NSCLC-related genes using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. The promoter methylation status of six selected genes, consisting of protocadherin γ subfamily B, 6 (PCDHGB6), homeobox A9 (HOXA9), O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), microRNA (miR)-126, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and Ras association domain family member 5, also termed NORE1A, was evaluated in 54 NSCLC patients. From these samples, genome-wide DNA was extracted and bisulfite conversion was performed along with fluorogenic quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect methylation values of the six selected promoters. The present results revealed frequent methylation on PCDHGB6, HOXA9 and miR-126, which contrasted with infrequent methylation on MGMT. The results indicated no methylation on either SOCS3 or NORE1A. The sensitivity and specificity of the methylation assessment were 85.2 and 81.5%, respectively, and the analysis results were validated by pyrosequencing. Furthermore, minute comparison of the association between DNA methylation and clinical features was performed. Overall, these results may provide potential information for the development of better clinical diagnostics and more targeted and effective therapies for NSCLC.