DNA methylation in lung cancer patients: Opening a "window of life" under precision medicine

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2021-12, Vol.144, p.112202-112202, Article 112202
• Main Authors: Liang, Runzhang, Li, Xiaosong, Li, Weiquan, Zhu, Xiao, Li, Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarker; Clinical Decision-Making; DNA Methylation; DNA, Neoplasm - genetics; DNA, Neoplasm - metabolism; Early Detection of Cancer; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenome; Epigenomics; Humans; Liquid Biopsy; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - genetics; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - therapy; Precision Medicine; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Smoking - adverse effects; Smoking - genetics; Treatment
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112202

DNA methylation is a work of adding a methyl group to the 5th carbon atom of cytosine in DNA sequence under the catalysis of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) to produce 5-methyl cytosine. Some current studies have elucidated the mechanism of lung cancer occurrence and causes of lung cancer progression and metastasis from the perspective of DNA methylation. Moreover, many studies have shown that smoking can change the methylation status of some gene loci, leading to the occurrence of lung cancer, especially central lung cancer. This review mainly introduces the role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis, early diagnosis and screening, progression and metastasis, treatment, and prognosis of lung cancer, as well as the latest progress. We point out that methylation markers, sample tests, and methylation detection limit the clinical application of DNA methylation. If the liquid biopsy is to become the main force in lung cancer diagnosis, it must make efficient use of limited samples and improve the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. In addition, we also put forward our views on the future development direction of DNA methylation. •Multi-gene combined with methylation has higher sensitivity and specificity for predicting the risk and prognosis of lung cancer.•Smoking alters the methylation status of genes that can lead to lung cancer.•DNA methylation can predict the risk of brain metastases from lung cancer.•DNA methylation tests are likely to be part of the physical examination.