Relationship of Methylation within Upper Stream Region of Transcription Starts Site of HOXA5 Gene with Neural Tube Defects.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the methylation level of transcription starts site (TSS) upper stream of homeobox gene and the neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods A case-control study of two stages was designed. In the first stage,10 cases and 8 controls were extracted,in whom Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450 k genome-wide beadchip was used for the quantification of DNA methylation levels of brain and spinal tissue.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection associated with telomere elongation in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with poor prognosis.

Background: Telomere maintenance is crucial in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The results of a previous study from the authors indicated that infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) types 16, 18, and 58 was a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the Shantou region of China. In the current study, the authors explored the association between HR-HPV infection, telomere length (TL), and DNA methylation and their significance in the prognosis of patients with ESCC.

Status and significance of CpG island methylator phenotype in endometrial cancer.

Background: Endometrial cancer is a common gynecologic malignant disease, but patients with advanced disease have a poor prognosis. The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) involves hypermethylation targeted toward the promoters of multiple genes.

Objective: To investigate the role of epigenetic aberration of tumor-related genes in endometrial cancer.