Aberrant Methylation of Tumor Suppressive miRNAs in Bile from Patients With Pancreaticobiliary Diseases

Abstract

Background/aim: Epigenetic abnormalities in microRNAs (miRNAs) have not been analyzed in samples other than pancreaticobiliary tissues in patients with pancreaticobiliary cancer (PBC). To identify miRNAs specific for PBC, the present study analyzed the methylation of tumor-suppressive miRNAs in bile from patients with pancreaticobiliary diseases.

Materials and methods: Bile was collected endoscopically or percutaneously from 52 patients with pancreatic cancer, 26 with biliary tract cancer, and 20 with benign pancreaticobiliary diseases. Sequences encoding 16 tumor-suppressive miRNAs were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced, and their methylation rates were determined.

Results: The methylation rates of miR-1247 and miR-200a were significantly higher in patients with pancreatic cancer, and biliary tract cancer than in those with benign diseases, and the methylation rate of miR-200b was significantly higher in patients with pancreatic cancer than in those with benign diseases.

Conclusion: Methylation of miR-1247, miR-200a, and miR-200b in bile may be useful for distinguishing PBC from benign diseases.

Keywords: bile; biliary tract cancer; methylation; miRNA; pancreatic cancer.