Methylation of the PCDH21 (Protocadherin-21) Gene in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

We investigated the methylation status of the PCDH21 (Protocadherin-21) gene in 59 colorectal cancer and detected aberrant promoter methylation in 10 of 59 (16.9%) colorectal cancers. There was no significant difference in the distribution of patients with methylation or unmethylation of PCDH21 in terms of age, sex, tumor differentiation, tumor size, T stage, M stage, or tumor location. Methylation of PCDH21 was significantly correlated to negative pathological lymph node metastasis (p=0.038) and a low preoperative CEA level (＜6ng/mL) (p=0.003). Methylated PCDH21 was also significantly associated with negative lymph node metastasis in logistic regression analysis (Odds ration 9.84, CI= 1.12-86.84, p= 0.039). These two factors (lymph node metastasis and CEA) were proved to be of prognostic importance. Methylated PCDH21 seems to have a trend for better prognosis in colorectal cancer. However, further large series of tumor samples and a longer follow-up period were perquisite to elucidate its potential role.