RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 996 Epigenetic methylation in endometrial cancer (EC): an umbrella review of published evidence
JF International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer
JO Int J Gynecol Cancer
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP A134
OP A134
DO 10.1136/ijgc-2021-ESGO.221
VO 31
IS Suppl 3
A1 Rallis, K
A1 Sideris, M
A1 Wang, YA
A1 Hillyar, C
A1 Makker, S
A1 Emin, E
A1 Mould, T
YR 2021
UL http://ijgc.bmj.com/content/31/Suppl_3/A134.1.abstract
AB Introduction/Background*EC is the commonest gynaecological malignancy in developed countries accounting for 97,000 deaths annually worldwide. Methylation of DNA, histones, and micro-RNA (miRNA) are important epigenetic events which predominantly repress gene expression, reversibly, thus altering the tumour-cellular phenotype. We performed an umbrella review of relevant narrative (NR) and systematic reviews (SR) to identify prognostic and/or predictive methylation biomarkers for clinical decision-making.Methodology We followed the PRISMA guidelines and prospectively registered our protocol with PROSPERO (CRD42021225841). We searched MEDLINE from inception to December 4th, 2020, for NRs and SRs, published in English, discussing the association between methylation of DNA, histones or miRNA and early detection, prognosis or treatment response in EC. Three reviewers extracted and assessed the quality of the evidence for qualitative synthesis.Result(s)*Our search yielded 86 publications. We included 19 articles: 2 SRs with meta-analysis and 17 NRs. Type I and II EC exhibit distinct methylation profiles of gene silencing. Type I EC contains near-diploid cells (vs. aneuploid in type II) and its progression is more strongly associated with epigenetic changes. Global hyper- or hypomethylation and CIMP are described. Gene promoter hypermethylation predominates especially in hormone receptor, MLH1, MGMT, CDKN2A/P16, WNT/b-catenin/E-cadherin, PIK3CA/MAPK/RAS, and FGF pathway components. Ribosomal DNA hypomethylation, DNA aneuploidy, and lack of CDH13 hypermethylation predict poor prognosis. Dysregulated miRNA expression and processing differentially promotes oncogenesis. Histone methyltransferases (EZH2) and demethylases (LSD1, KDM4A/B) are overexpressed correlating with aggressiveness. Meta-analyses report significant associations with RASSF1A promoter methylation and CDKN2A/p16 hypermethylation which occur early in carcinogenesis potentially aiding non-invasive detection.Conclusion*As type I EC primarily affects younger women, some of whom have yet to complete their family, prognostication via (epigenetic) biomarkers is important for treatment stratification. Predicting response to conservative (progesterone) treatment via methylation biomarkers could help identify eligible women for ‘watch and wait’ until they complete their family. Artificial intelligence (AI) could facilitate such efforts.