BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Epigenetic inactivation of certain genes by aberrant promoter methylation is recognized as a crucial component in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Response gene to complement 32 (RGC32) has been identified as a cell cycle regulator induced by activation of complements; however, its role in carcinogenesis is still controversial. METHODS: The authors examined the methylation status in the promoter region of RGC32 gene in nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) using a methylation-specific PCR and correlated the results with clinicopathological features. RESULTS: RGC32 methylation was found in 45 of 173 NSCLCs (26.0%) and was related to the gene expression. RGC32 methylation was more frequent in females than in males (P<0.05). RGC32 methylation was not significantly associated with the prognosis of patients; however, when the patients were categorized by TP53 mutational status, the effect of RGC32 methylation on prognosis was significantly different between those with and without TP53 mutations (P = .005 [test for homogeneity]). Specifically, RGC32 methylation was associated with significantly worse survival in the cases with wild-type TP53, whereas it exhibited a better survival outcome in the cases with TP53 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that methylation-associated down-regulation of RGC32 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC, particularly in females. However, further studies with a large number of cases are needed to confirm the authors' findings.
BACKGROUND:Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Epigenetic inactivation of certain genes by aberrant promoter methylation is recognized as a crucial component in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Response gene to complement 32 (RGC32) has been identified as a cell cycle regulator induced by activation of complements; however, its role in carcinogenesis is still controversial. METHODS: The authors examined the methylation status in the promoter region of RGC32 gene in nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) using a methylation-specific PCR and correlated the results with clinicopathological features. RESULTS:RGC32 methylation was found in 45 of 173 NSCLCs (26.0%) and was related to the gene expression. RGC32 methylation was more frequent in females than in males (P<0.05). RGC32 methylation was not significantly associated with the prognosis of patients; however, when the patients were categorized by TP53 mutational status, the effect of RGC32 methylation on prognosis was significantly different between those with and without TP53 mutations (P = .005 [test for homogeneity]). Specifically, RGC32 methylation was associated with significantly worse survival in the cases with wild-type TP53, whereas it exhibited a better survival outcome in the cases with TP53 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that methylation-associated down-regulation of RGC32 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC, particularly in females. However, further studies with a large number of cases are needed to confirm the authors' findings.
Authors: Irina G Luzina; Violeta Rus; Virginia Lockatell; Jean-Paul Courneya; Brian S Hampton; Rita Fishelevich; Alexander V Misharin; Nevins W Todd; Tudor C Badea; Horea Rus; Sergei P Atamas Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 2022-02 Impact factor: 7.748
Authors: Sonia I Vlaicu; Cosmin A Tegla; Cornelia D Cudrici; Jacob Danoff; Hassan Madani; Adam Sugarman; Florin Niculescu; Petru A Mircea; Violeta Rus; Horea Rus Journal: Immunol Res Date: 2013-05 Impact factor: 2.829
Authors: Sandra N Schlick; C David Wood; Andrea Gunnell; Helen M Webb; Sarika Khasnis; Aloys Schepers; Michelle J West Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-12-06 Impact factor: 3.240