Hypomethylation of c-myc and epidermal growth factor receptor genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and fetal liver.

The methylation state of cellular oncogenes (c-oncs) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor gene from human liver tissues was examined by means of restriction endonuclease analysis. c-myc and EGF receptor gene from hepatocellular carcinoma and fetal liver were substantially hypomethylated in comparison with those genes from normal liver, while the extents of methylation of c-mos and c-Ki-ras genes were the same among these tissues. It can be speculated that the specific hypomethylation of c-myc and EGF receptor genes may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.