Decoding the Methylation Patterns of ABC Transporters in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, posing a major threat to morbidity and mortality rates. The molecular mechanisms that drive CRC, particularly the DNA methylation patterns in ATP-binding cassette (ABC) genes, have attracted considerable attention because of their potential roles in CRC drug resistance, initiation, and progression. This study aimed to investigate the methylation patterns of ABC genes in CRC using a high-throughput microarray technology. Microarray methylation data from CRC and adjacent normal tissues were subjected to preprocessing, differential methylation analysis, and correlation analysis using the MethSurv tool for a detailed study of methylation patterns. The study revealed global hypomethylation of 43 ABC transporters and two pseudogenes in CRC compared to normal tissues. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 369 CpG sites as potential biomarkers for CRC diagnosis, with area under the curve values ranging from acceptable to outstanding. Survival analysis demonstrated the correlation between DNA methylation of individual CpG sites and patient survival probability in colon and rectal adenocarcinoma datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The study provides insights into the epigenetic landscape of ABC genes in CRC, highlighting their potential roles in drug resistance, disease initiation, and progression. The findings offer opportunities for developing innovative therapeutic approaches and improving patient outcomes in the fight against CRC. Further research is needed to validate these results and investigate the functional implications of ABC gene methylation in CRC pathogenesis and treatment response.