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Prognostic value of MGMT methylation in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis and literature review

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

The development of colorectal cancer (CRC) spans about 5–10 years, making early detection and prevention beneficial to the survival of CRC patients. To address inconsistencies in evidence regarding O 6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation as a potential prognostic factor in CRC, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate MGMT methylation in CRC patients. Fourteen studies were included in the meta-analysis after screening 120 articles. The following items were collected from each study: author, published year, country, patient gender, MGMT methylation status, and patients’ disease progression. Pooled hazard ratios and odd ratios with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed or random effect models depending on the heterogeneity between studies. The overall survival of CRC patients was found not to be significantly associated with MGMT methylation. Further subgroup analysis showed that the frequency of MGMT methylation was significantly higher in CRC than in normal tissues (p < 0.00001). MGMT promoter in CRC patients was more frequently methylated than in adenoma patients. In addition, MGMT methylation was significantly increased in adenoma than in normal tissues (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, MGMT methylation is central to the development of cancer that involves a stepwise carcinogenesis of normal adenoma carcinoma cascade. However, MGMT methylation is not associated with the prognosis of CRC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China

    Yanliang Li

  2. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, China

    Zhongchuan Lyu

  3. Department of Emergency Radiology, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China

    Lixin Zhao

  4. Department of Anesthesiology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013, Shandong, China

    Hong Cheng

  5. Department of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China

    Dongyuan Zhu

  6. Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China

    Yongsheng Gao

  7. Second Division of General Surgery Department, Weihai Wendeng Central Hospital, Weihai, 264400, Shandong, China

    Xiuwan Shang

  8. First Division of General Surgery Department, Rizhao City Chinese Medicine Hospital, Rizhao, 276800, Shandong, China

    Huaijie Shi

  9. Second Division of General Surgery Department, Weihai Wendeng Central Hospital, East Mishan Road, West 3, Weihai, 264400, Shandong, China

    Huaijie Shi

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  1. Yanliang Li
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  2. Zhongchuan Lyu
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  6. Yongsheng Gao
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  8. Huaijie Shi
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Correspondence to Huaijie Shi.

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Yanliang Li and Zhongchuan Lyu contributed equally.

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Li, Y., Lyu, Z., Zhao, L. et al. Prognostic value of MGMT methylation in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis and literature review. Tumor Biol. 36, 1595–1601 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-014-2752-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-014-2752-9

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