Potential of quantitative SEPT9 and SHOX2 methylation in plasmatic circulating cell-free DNA as auxiliary staging parameter in colorectal cancer: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Septin 9 (SEPT9) and short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2) methylation in circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) are powerful biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, as well as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma staging and monitoring. In the present study, we investigated SEPT9 and SHOX2 ccfDNA methylation as auxiliary pre and post-therapeutic staging parameters in CRC patients.

Methods: ccfDNA methylation was quantified in 184 prospectively enrolled patients prior to and 3-10 days after surgery, and biomarker levels were associated with clinico-pathological parameters.