Identification of lung cancer specific differentially methylated regions using genome-wide DNA methylation study

Many molecular biomarkers have been suggested for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of lung cancer, but their clinical availability remains limited. DNA methylation is one such promising biomarker because it is stable and easily detected. We conducted an epigenome-wide analysis using methyl binding domain (MBD) sequencing in tissues of lung cancer patients. Tumor and normal tissues were obtained from two patients who underwent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer. HOXA5, HOXA9, and other related genes were associated with the CGI-located DMRs in Patient 1, whereas the SSTR5 gene was found to be associated with the CGI-located DMRs in Patient 2. Interestingly, these DMR genes were mapped in the physical interaction networks that included previously known nonsmall cell lung cancer genes. This genome-wide DNA methylation study showed an association between newly identified DMRs in CpG island promoter regions and previously known target genes for lung cancer.