Relationships between MGMT promoter methylation and gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

• Published in: OncoTargets and therapy Vol. 9; pp. 6049 - 6057
• Main Authors: Yu, Dan, Cao, Tao, Han, Ya-Di, Huang, Fu-Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Development and progression; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Gastric cancer; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Meta-analysis; Methylation; Methyltransferases; Mutation; Original Research; Stomach cancer; Studies; Tumor suppressor genes; cancer risks; gastric cancer; tumor suppressor gene
• ISSN: 1178-6930; 1178-6930
• DOI: 10.2147/OTT.S114052

A DNA repair enzyme, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase ( ), plays an important role in the development of gastric cancers. However, the role of promoter methylation in the occurrence of gastric cancer and its relationships with clinicopathologic characteristics has not been fully clarified. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the associations between promoter methylation and gastric cancer. Electronic databases, including PubMed and Web of Science, were used to systematically search related clinical studies published in English until April 1, 2016. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to evaluate the associations between promoter methylation and gastric cancer risk or clinicopathologic characteristics. A total of 16 studies including 1,935 patients and 1,948 control persons were included in the analysis. Our study suggested that promoter methylation frequency was associated with gastric cancer (OR=3.46, 95% CI: 2.13-5.61, <0.001). Moreover, the frequency of promoter methylation in the no lymph node metastasis group was lower than that in lymph node metastasis group, with marginal significance (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.01, =0.05). Additionally, the methylation rate of the promoter was much lower in patients without distant metastases than in those with metastases (OR=0.27, 95% CI: 0.18-0.40, <0.001). No significant association of promoter methylation with Lauren classification, tumor location, tumor invasion, or infection was found. In conclusion, the methylation status of the promoter was related to gastric cancer risk, distant metastasis, and lymph node metastasis, which indicates that promoter methylation may play an important role in gastric cancer development.