Methylation of the UNC5C gene is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Recently, we detected that UNC5C expression was downregulated in colon and gastric cancer.

Methodology: In the present study, the methylation status of the UNC5C gene was examined in primary carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues derived from 42 patients with HCC.

Results: Methylation of the UNC5C gene was detected in 11 out of the 42 (26%) HCCs, suggesting that the methylation of UNC5C was frequently observed in HCCs. The clinicopathological data were correlated with the methylation results.

Conclusions: TNM stage 1 HCC presented UNC5C methylation, indicating that the UNC5C gene has been methylated from the early stages of HCC.