OBJECTIVE

Metastasis might be latent or occur several years after primary tumor removal. Currently used methods for detection of distant metastasis have still some limitations. Blood tests may improve sensitivity and specificity of currently used screening procedures. The present study was designed to investigate promoter methylation status of and genes in plasma circulating free DNA (cfDNA) samples in Iranian invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) patients. We also investigated association of two gene promoter methylations with breast cancer (BC) and metastatic BC was also assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, MethySYBR assay was performed to determine and promoter methylation status in breast IDC from 90 patients and 30 controls. Based on clinicopathological information, patient samples subdivided into stage I, II/III and IV groups (each group contained 30 individuals).

RESULTS

According to the results an increased promoter methylation level of the gene in BC patients was observed. It was found that as disease progressed, the percentage of methylation was changed while it was not significant. Methylation changes in metastatic and non-metastatic BC revealed that methylation levels were significantly increased in metastatic than non-metastatic group. Analysis revealed that promoter methylation of gene in BC patients was significantly increased. The observed methylation changes from less to more invasive stages were not significant in the gene. Moreover, promoter methylation was changed in metastatic rather than non-metastatic condition, although it was not significant.

CONCLUSION

Promoter hypermethylation of c and genes in plasma are associated with the risk of BC and they can be potential diagnostic biomarkers along with current methods. Additionally, association of aberrant promoter methylation with metastasis suggests its potential usage as a non-invasive strategy for metastatic BC diagnosis.