An epigenetic test could provide a simple and cheap way to identify people at risk of anal cancer, British researchers say today.
The researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, UK, say their test could reduce over-treatment and the use of biopsies and anoscopy.
They identified epigenetic changes linked to the disease from a study of 148 patients in London, reported today in Oncotarget.
This found epigenetic methylation markers on a tumour suppressor gene, EPB41L3, and also on regions of the genome from the human papillomavirus.
They say that finding just two changes that are significant opens the possibility of developing an inexpensive test.
Researcher Professor Attila Lorincz said: “We thought this would require a complicated genomic signature involving hundreds of genes, so we were surprised that we could get such an accurate prediction from just two biomarker genes. That’s important because the expected cost of the test will be fairly low.
“Now that we can identify those at risk, and conversely, those not at risk, we hope to see a big improvement, by making sure that anoscopies and laser or chemical surgery are only given to those who need it.”
He added: “These could be the early stages of a discovery of a universal set of biomarkers for any cancer. And there may be implications on therapies, as there are new techniques where the epigenetic pathway can be targeted by drugs."
Dr Rachel Orrit, from Cancer Research UK, said: “If other studies confirm and build upon these findings, this promising research could be used to develop a less invasive method to help doctors identify people who are at a higher risk of anal cancer and avoid unnecessary procedures for those who are at a lower risk.”
Methylation of HPV and a tumor suppressor gene reveals anal cancer and precursor lesions. Oncotarget 26 May 2017
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