DNA methylation markers associated with the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) in human colorectal cancer

1. A method for detecting and/or classifying a colorectal cancer belonging to a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (CIMP colorectal cancer), comprising:

determining, by analyzing a human subject biological sample comprising colon cancer cell genomic DNA, a CpG methylation status of at least one gene or genomic sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110, wherein CpG hypermethylation, relative to normal controls, is indicative of a colorectal cancer belonging to a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (CIMP colorectal cancer), wherein a method for detecting and/or classifying a CIMP colorectal cancer is afforded.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein CIMP colorectal cancer is distinguished from a colorectal cancer subgroup not having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (non-CIMP colorectal cancer), said method characterized in that the presence of CpG hypermethylation, relative to normal controls, is indicative of CIMP colorectal cancer and the absence or relative absence thereof, relative to normal controls, is indicative of non-CIMP colorectal cancer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the CIMP colorectal cancer comprises a cell proliferative condition and/or cancer.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the CIMP colorectal cancer comprises colorectal carcinoma.

5. The method of claim 1 , comprising: contacting genomic DNA isolated from a biological sample obtained from a subject with at least one reagent, or series of reagents that distinguishes between methylated and non-methylated CpG dinucleotides within at least one target region of the genomic DNA, wherein the at least one target region comprises, or hybridizes under stringent conditions to a sequence of at least 16 contiguous nucleotides of at least one sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110, wherein said contiguous nucleotides comprise at least one CpG dinucleotide sequence.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

obtaining genomic DNA from a biological sample obtained from a subject;

treating the genomic DNA, or at least one fragment thereof, with one or more reagents to convert cytosine bases that are unmethylated in the 5-position thereof to uracil or to another base that is detectably dissimilar to cytosine in terms of hybridization properties;

contacting the treated genomic DNA, or the at least one treated fragment thereof, with an amplification enzyme and at least one primer comprising, a contiguous sequence of at least 9 nucleotides that is complementary to, or hybridizes under moderately stringent or stringent conditions to at least one sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 110, 190, 191, 246, 247, 162, 163, 218, 219, and complements thereof, wherein the treated genomic DNA or the at least one fragment thereof is either amplified to produce at least one amplificate, or is not amplified; and

determining, based on a presence or absence of, or on a property of said amplificate, the methylation state or level of at least one CpG dinucleotide, or a value based on an average methylation state or level of a plurality of CpG dinucleotides, of a sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110.

7. The method of any one of claims 5 and 6 , wherein contacting or treating the genomic DNA, or the fragment thereof, comprises use of a reagent selected from the group consisting of bisulfite, hydrogen sulfite, disulfite, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising contacting the genomic DNA with at least one reagent, or series of reagents that distinguishes between methylated and non-methylated CpG dinucleotides within additional target regions of the genomic DNA, wherein the additionally target regions comprise, or hybridize under stringent conditions to a sequence of at least 16 contiguous nucleotides of at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of: CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116 and 102; IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122 and 108; RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126 and 112; and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127 and 113, wherein said contiguous nucleotides comprise at least one CpG dinucleotide sequence.

9. The method of claim 8 , comprising determining a CpG methylation status of a gene or genomic sequence combination selected from the combination group consisting of:

NEUROG1, CACNA1G, IGF2, RUNX3 and SOCS1;

SEQ ID NOS:138, 130, 136, 140 and 141;

SEQ ID NOS:124, 116, 122, 126 and 127; and

SEQ ID NOS:110, 102, 108, 112 and 113.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein contacting or amplifying comprises: use of at least one method selected from the group consisting of: use of a heat-resistant DNA polymerase as the amplification enzyme; use of a polymerase lacking 5′-3′ exonuclease activity; use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and generation of an amplificate nucleic acid molecule carrying a detectable label.

11. The method of claim 6 , further comprising, for determining, the use of at least one nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule comprising in each case a contiguous sequence at least 9 nucleotides in length that is complementary to, or hybridizes under moderately stringent or stringent conditions to a sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:190, 191, 246, 247, 162, 163, 218, 219, and complements thereof, wherein said nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule suppresses amplification of the nucleic acid to which it is hybridized.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising, for determining, the use of at least one nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule comprising in each case a contiguous sequence at least 9 nucleotides in length that is complementary to, or hybridizes under moderately stringent or stringent conditions to at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of: CACNA1G sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:174, 175, 230, 231, 146, 147, 202, 203 and complements thereof; IGF2 sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:186, 187, 242, 243, 158, 159, 214. 215 and complements thereof; RUNX3 sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:194, 195, 250, 251, 166, 167, 222, 223 and complements thereof; and SOCS1 sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:196, 197, 252, 253, 168, 169, 224, 225 and complements thereof, wherein said nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule suppresses amplification of the nucleic acid to which it is hybridized.

13. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining comprises hybridization of at least one nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule in each case comprising a contiguous sequence at least 9 nucleotides in length that is complementary to, or hybridizes under moderately stringent or stringent conditions to a sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:190, 191, 246, 247, 162, 163, 218, 219, and complements thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein at least one such hybridizing nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule is bound to a solid phase.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising extending at least one such hybridized nucleic acid molecule by at least one nucleotide base.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining further comprises hybridization of at least one nucleic acid molecule or peptide nucleic acid molecule in each case comprising a contiguous sequence at least 9 nucleotides in length that is complementary to, or hybridizes under moderately stringent or stringent conditions to at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of: CACNA1G sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:174, 175, 230, 231, 146, 147, 202, 203 and complements thereof; IGF2 sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:186, 187, 242, 243, 158, 159, 214. 215 and complements thereof; RUNX3 sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:194, 195, 250, 251, 166, 167, 222, 223 and complements thereof; and SOCS1 sequence group of SEQ ID NOS:196, 197, 252, 253, 168, 169, 224, 225 and complements thereof.

17. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining in comprises sequencing of the amplificate.

18. The method of claim 6 , wherein contacting or amplifying comprises use of methylation-specific primers.

19. The method of claim 6 , further comprising contacting the treated genomic DNA, or the at least one treated fragment thereof, with an amplification enzyme and at least one primer comprising, a contiguous sequence of at least 9 nucleotides that is complementary to, or hybridizes under moderately stringent or stringent conditions to at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of: CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116, 102, 174, 175, 230, 231, 146, 147, 202, 203, and complements thereof; IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122, 108, 186, 187, 242, 243, 158, 159, 214. 215, and complements thereof; RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126, 112, 194. 195, 250, 251, 166, 167, 222, 223, and complements thereof; and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127, 113, 196, 197, 252, 253, 168, 169, 224, 225, and complements thereof, wherein the treated genomic DNA or the at least one fragment thereof is either amplified to produce at least one amplificate, or is not amplified; and

determining, based on a presence or absence of, or on a property of said amplificate, the methylation state or level of at least one CpG dinucleotide, or a value based on an average methylation state or level of a plurality of CpG dinucleotides, of at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of NEUROG1 sequence group of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110, CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116 and 102, IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122 and 108, RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126 and 112, and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127 and 113.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the human subject biological sample is selected from the group consisting of cell lines, histological slides, biopsies, paraffin-embedded tissue, body fluids, stool, colonic effluent, urine, blood plasma, blood serum, whole blood, isolated blood cells, cells isolated from the blood, and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein CIMP KRAS mutant, BRAF wildtype tumors colorectal cancer is identified or distinguished.

22. The method of claim 1 , further comprising relating CIMP status to at least one selected from the group consisting of age, sex, tumor location, family history, race, country of origin, and tumor characteristics including, tumor type, tumor grade, invasive margin characteristics, lymphocyte infiltration characteristics, direct spread, lymph node spread, venous spread and type of residual adjacent polyp, if present.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting and/or classifying a colorectal cancer belonging to a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (CIMP colorectal cancer), comprises determining, between subgroups defined by CIMP status and BRAF mutations, effects of selected risk factors including, but not limited to body mass index, smoking history, alcohol intake, dietary folate intake, folate metabolic enzyme polymorphisms and history of hormonal use.

24. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a CpG methylation status of at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of: CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116 and 102; IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122 and 108; RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126 and 112; and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127 and 113, wherein CpG hypermethylation, relative to normal controls, is indicative of a colorectal cancer belonging to a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (CIMP colorectal cancer).

25. The method of claim 24 , comprising determining a CpG methylation status of a gene or genomic sequence combination selected from the combination group consisting of:

NEUROG1, CACNA1G, IGF2, RUNX3 and SOCS1;

SEQ ID NOS:138, 130, 136, 140 and 141;

SEQ ID NOS:124, 116, 122, 126 and 127; and

SEQ ID NOS:110, 102, 108, 112 and 113.

26. A method for detecting and/or classifying a colorectal cancer belonging to a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (CIMP colorectal cancer), comprising:

digesting genomic DNA obtained from a human subject biological sample comprising colon cancer cell genomic DNA, or a fragment thereof, with one or more methylation sensitive restriction enzymes;

contacting the DNA restriction enzyme digest with an amplification enzyme and at least two primers suitable for the amplification of a sequence comprising at least one CpG dinucleotide of a sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110; and

determining, based on a presence or absence of an amplificate the methylation state or level of at least one CpG dinucleotide of at least one gene or genomic sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110, wherein CpG hypermethylation, relative to normal controls, is indicative of a colorectal cancer belonging to a distinct colorectal cancer subgroup having frequent CpG island hypermethylation (CIMP colorectal cancer), wherein a method for detecting and/or classifying a CIMP colorectal cancer is afforded.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the presence or absence of an amplificate is determined by means of hybridization to at least one nucleic acid or peptide nucleic acid which is identical, complementary, or hybridizes under stringent or highly stringent conditions to an at least 16 base long contiguous segment of at least one sequence selected from the NEUROG1 sequence group consisting of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the presence or absence of an amplificate is determined by means of hybridization to at least one nucleic acid or peptide nucleic acid which is identical, complementary, or hybridizes under stringent or highly stringent conditions to an at least 16 base long contiguous segment of at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of NEUROG1 sequence group of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110, CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116 and 102, IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122 and 108, RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126 and 112, and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127 and 113.

29. The method of claim 26 , further comprising contacting the DNA restriction enzyme digest with an amplification enzyme and at least two primers suitable for the amplification of at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of: CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116 and 102; IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122 and 108; RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126 and 112; and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127 and 113; and

determining, based on a presence or absence of an amplificate, the methylation state or level of at least one sequence selected from each gene sequence group of the combination of gene sequence groups consisting of NEUROG1 sequence group of NEUROG1, SEQ ID NOS:138, 124 and 110, CACNA1G sequence group of CACNA1G, SEQ ID NOS:130, 116 and 102, IGF2 sequence group of IGF2, SEQ ID NOS:136, 122 and 108, RUNX3 sequence group of RUNX3, SEQ ID NOS:140, 126 and 112, and SOCS1 sequence group of SOCS1, SEQ ID NOS:141, 127 and 113.