The Silencing of SFRP2 Expression in ESCC Is Due to Methylation of the Gene Promoter

OBJECTIVE: Our aim of the study was to investigate the expression level and methylation status of the secreted frizzled-related protein 2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and to evaluate the clinical utility of the marker. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We first used Immunohistochemistry (ICH) to explore the expression level of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues and then used methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction to detect methylation status of secreted frizzled-related protein 2. RESULTS: Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 expression was notably reduced in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, whereas methylation of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 was increased in the majority of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens. CONCLUSION: Sum up, we have demonstrated the abnormal DNA hypermethylation, causing reduced or absent gene expression. Methylation testing of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 using epigenetic marker may be a significative screening method for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.