Aberrant promoter methylation and gene expression of H-cadherin gene is associated with tumor progression and recurrence in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Background: Loss of expression of cadherins by promoter hypermethylation has been described in many epithelial cancers, and it may play a role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Previously, we reported that E-cadherin gene is frequently methylated in epithelial ovarian cancer. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the promoter hypermethylation of H-cadherin gene in ovarian epithelial neoplasms to better understand the role of epigenetic silencing in carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: We examined the promoter methylation of the H-cadherin gene in 134 epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOC), 23 low malignant potential (LMP) tumors, 26 benign cystadenomas and 15 normal ovarian tissues. Methylation was investigated by methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and the results confirmed by bisulfite DNA sequencing. Relative gene expression of H-cadherin was done using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR on 51 EOC cases, 9 LMP tumors, 7 benign cystadenomas with 5 normal ovarian tissues. Results: Aberrant methylation of H-cadherin was present in 20 of 134 (15%) carcinoma cases, 2 of 23 (09%) LMP tumors and 1 of 26 (4%) benign cystadenomas. No methylation was observed in any of the normal ovarian tissues. The mRNA expression level of H-cadherin was significantly down-regulated in EOC and LMP tumors than the corresponding normal tissues, whereas the expression level was normal in benign cystadenomas. A significant correlation of H-cadherin promoter methylation was observed with reduced gene expression in EOC. The prevalence of H-cadherin methylation was associated significantly with stage, histopathological grade, and menopausal status of the patient. H-cadherin methylation also had significant association with recurrence and differentiation of tumor. Conclusion: Our findings suggest an association between H-cadherin methylation, tumor progression and recurrence in EOC.