Predictive factors for the sensitivity of radiotherapy and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Shaobin; Wang, Xianwei; Chen, Jin-Xiang; Chen, Yuxiang
• Is Part Of: International journal of radiation biology. Volume 90:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 407
• Page End: 413
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: Radiation -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Radiobiology -- Periodicals; 571.45
• DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.894649
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-3002

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To identify predictive biomarkers for radiosensitization and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: A total of 150 advanced stage ESCC patients were treated with preoperative radiotherapy. The protein levels of Dicer 1, DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and the mRNA levels of Dicer 1, Dnmt1, and let-7b microRNA (miRNA) were measured in ESCC tumor tissues before and after radiotherapy. Global DNA methylation was measured and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Negative Dicer 1, Dnmt1, and DNA-PKcs protein expression were observed in 72%, 67.3%, and 50.7% of ESCC patients, respectively. Primary Dicer 1 and Dnmt1 expression positively correlated with radiation sensitization and longer survival of ESCC patients, while increased Dicer 1 and Dnmt1 expression after radiation correlated with increased apoptosis in residual tumor tissues. Dicer 1 and Dnmt1 expression correlated with let-7b miRNA expression and global DNA methylation levels, respectively. In contrast, positive DNA-PKcs expression negatively correlated with radiation-induced pathological reactions, and increased DNA-PKcs expression correlated with increased apoptosis after radiation.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: Global DNA hypomethylation and low miRNA expression are involved in the sensitization of ESCC to radiotherapy and prognosis of patients with ESCC.</p> </abstract>