Association between the methylation of CpG islands in JAK-STAT pathway-related genes and colorectal cancer

Background: Aberrant promoter methylation of CpG islands plays an important role in carcinogenesis. However, the association between the DNA methylation of JAK-STAT pathway-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 403 patients with CRC and 419 cancer free controls, and the DNA methylation levels of JAK2, STAT1, STAT3, and SOCS3 in peripheral blood samples from all subjects were assessed using a methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) analysis. Results: Compared with controls, the methylation of the JAK2, STAT1 and SOCS3 genes increased the CRC risk (ORadjusted=1.96, 95% CI, 1.12-3.41, P=0.01; ORadjusted=5.37, 95% CI, 3.74-7.71, P<0.01; ORadjusted=3.30, 95% CI, 1.58-6.87, P<0.01). In the multiple CpG site methylation (MCSM) analysis, a high MCSM value denoted an increased CRC risk (ORadjusted=4.97, 95% CI, 3.34-7.37, P<0.01). Conclusion: In peripheral blood, the methylation of JAK2, STAT1, and high levels of MCSM are promising bio-markers for CRC risk.