SOX1 and PAX1 Are Hypermethylated in Cervical Adenocarcinoma and Associated with Better Prognosis

BACKGROUND: The increased risk and poor survival outcome of cervical adenocarcinoma (CAC) demand for effective early diagnostic biomarkers that can predict the disease progression and outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of methylation status of SOX1 and PAX1 in the detection and prognosis of CAC. METHODS: We performed a quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in 205 cervical paraffin-embedded specimens (175 CACs, 30 noncancer cervical tissues). Overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS, respectively) rates were calculated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic value of SOX1(m) and PAX1(m) on CAC patients was assessed by the Cox regression model. A mathematical formula combining SOX1(m), PAX1(m), and age was constructed for survival prediction. RESULTS: The methylation status of SOX1 and PAX1 was higher in CAC tissues than in noncancer cervical tissues. In addition, SOX1(m)-positive CAC patients showed a higher 5-year OS rate than SOX1(m)-negative patients. In CAC patients with smaller tumor size (<4 cm), the PAX1(m)-positive group showed a higher 5-year PFS rate than the PAX1(m)-negative group. In the algorithm combining SOX1(m), PAX1(m), and age, the low-risk group showed a better 5-year OS and PFS rate than the high-risk group. CONCLUSION: SOX1 and PAX1 methylation levels are higher in CAC than in normal cervical tissues and are potential biomarkers for monitoring CAC prognosis.