DNA hypermethylation in colorectal neoplasms and inflammatory bowel disease: A mini review

Abstract

DNA hypermethylation is one of major epigenetic changes. Hypermethylation of many genes has been reported to be related with carcinogenesis and tumor progression of colorectal cancer. Some genes including estrogen receptor is associated with ageing, and changes related with ageing may be accelerated in inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, fecal DNA methylation will be able to be used as a marker of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Evaluation of hypermethylation potentially contributes diagnosis of colorectal diseases. © Birkhäuser Verlag, 2006.