Utility of Gene Promoter Methylation in Prediction of Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC)

Abstract

The aim was to determine whether promoter methylation of BRCA1, MGMT, MLH1, RASSF1A, and p16 genes could predict response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Thirty-five subjects with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated by platinum-based chemotherapy were recruited. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was carried out and the methylation index (MI) was also derived. Response to platinum-based chemotherapy was documented clinically, radiologically, and by serial CA125 levels. Methylated BRCA1 (p =. 037) and a higher MI (p =. 045) were associated with primary chemosensitivity. A better outcome was predicted by a higher MI (p =. 032). In EOC, BRCA1 gene promoter methylation is useful in the prediction of response to chemotherapy.

Keywords:

• BRCA1
• Epithelial ovarian cancer
• Platinum-based chemotherapy
• Methylation profiling
• Outcome