目前认为结直肠癌的发生是在环境因素的作用下通过遗传学和表观遗传学的累积性改变所致。表观遗传学修饰,特别是基因启动子区域的DNA甲基化,被认为是肿瘤中普遍发生的分子改变。因此可通过检测基因的异常甲基化等表观遗传学改变对结直肠癌进行预防、早期诊断、临床治疗及预后评价。本文论述了结直肠癌相关基因甲基化状态的研究进展以及表观遗传学的临床应用,目的在于探讨表观遗传学在结直肠癌早期诊断及治疗中的意义。
Colotectal cancer arises as a consequence of the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in colonic mucous epithelial cells.Epigenetic changes,particularly DNA methylation is recognized as common molecular alterations in human tumors.It may be used as colorectal cancer detection or prognosis markers.In this review,we summarized the characteristics of epigenetic changes and clinical applications in colorectal cancer.