METHYLATION OF ESTROGEN RECEPTOR ALPHA AND USES THEREOF
Methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer based on the methylation status of the ER-α gene promoter are disclosed. Methylation of the ER-α gene promoter is indicative of cancer and unfavorable prognosis. The cancer can be treated with a demethylation agent.
1 . A method of reducing DNA methylation in a cell, comprising contacting a melanoma, pancreatic cancer, hepatacellular cancer, esophageal cancer, sarcoma, or gastric cancer cell with a demethylation agent, thereby reducing methylation of the ER-α gene promoter in the cell.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the demethylation agent is 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the cell with an HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitor.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the HDAC inhibitor is trichostatin A.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the melanoma, pancreatic cancer, hepatacellular cancer, esophageal cancer, sarcoma, or gastric cancer is primary or metastatic melanoma, pancreatic cancer, hepatacellular cancer, esophageal cancer, sarcoma, or gastric cancer.