Potential anti-cancer effects of virgin olive oil phenols on colorectal carcinogenesis models in vitro

The traditional Mediterranean diet is thought to represent a healthy lifestyle; especially given the incidence of several cancers including colorectal cancer is lower in Mediterranean countries compared to Northern Europe. Olive oil, a central component of the Mediterranean diet, is believed to beneficially affect numerous biological processes. We used phenols extracted from virgin olive oil on a series of in vitro systems that model important stages of colon carcinogenesis. The effect the extract on DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide was measured in HT29 cells using single cell microgel-electrophoresis. A significant anti-genotoxic linear trend (p=0.011) was observed when HT29 cells were pre-incubated with olive oil phenols (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 microg/ml) for 24 hr, then challenged with hydrogen peroxide. The olive oil phenols (50, 100 microg/ml) significantly (p=0.004, p=0.002) improved barrier function of CACO2 cells after 48 hr as measured by trans-epithelial resistance. Significant inhibition of HT115 invasion (p<0.01) was observed at olive oil phenols concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 100 microg/ml using the matrigel invasion assay. No effect was observed on HT115 viability over the concentration range 0, 25, 50 75, 100 microg/ml after 24 hr, although 75 and 100 microg/ml olive oil phenols significantly inhibited HT115 cell attachment (p=0.011, p=0.006). Olive oil phenols had no significant effect on metastasis-related gene expression in HT115 cells. We have demonstrated that phenols extracted from virgin olive oil are capable of inhibiting several stages in colon carcinogenesis in vitro.     

Inhibitory effects of olive oil phenolics on invasion in human colon adenocarcinoma cells in vitro

Studies in human, animal and cellular systems suggest that phenols from virgin olive oil are capable of inhibiting several stages in carcinogenesis, including metastasis. The invasion cascade comprises cell attachment to extracellular matrix components or basement membrane, degradation of basement membrane by proteolytic enzymes and migration of cells through the modified matrix. In the present study, we investigated the effect of phenolics extracted from virgin olive oil (OVP) and its main constituents: hydroxytyrosol (3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol), tyrosol (p-hydroxyphenylethanol), pinoresinol and caffeic acid. The effects of these phenolics were tested on the invasion of HT115 human colon carcinoma cells in a Matrigel invasion assay. OVP and its compounds showed different dose-related anti-invasive effects. At 25 microg/ml OVP and equivalent doses of individual compounds, significant anti-invasive effects were seen in the range of 45-55% of control. Importantly, OVP, but not the isolated phenolics, significantly reduced total cell number in the Matrigel invasion assay. There were no significant effects shown on cell viability, indicating the reduction of cell number in the Matrigel invasion assay was not due to cytotoxicity. There were also no significant effects on cell attachment to plastic substrate, indicating the importance of extracellular matrix in modulating the anti-invasive effects of OVP. In conclusion, the results from this study indicate that phenols from virgin olive oil have the ability to inhibit invasion of colon cancer cells and the effects may be mediated at different levels of the invasion cascade.     

Distal bowel selectivity in the chemoprevention of experimental colon carcinogenesis by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug nabumetone

Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chemoprevention of colon cancer has been hindered by their potential gastro-intestinal toxicity. Nabumetone, which is approximately 10 to 36 times safer than conventional NSAIDs, was evaluated in 2 models of experimental colon carcinogenesis. In azoxymethane (AOM)-treated Fisher 344 rats, nabumetone caused dose-dependent inhibition of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), with 750 and 1,500 ppm resulting in 15% and 37% reductions, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, complex ACF were reduced by 48% in the latter group. MIN mice studies confirmed the chemopreventive efficacy of nabumetone, with 900 ppm suppressing approximately half of the intestinal tumors. Interestingly, inhibition of intermediate biomarkers in both models was markedly greater in the distal than the proximal bowel. To mechanistically evaluate this regional selectivity, we assessed cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the uninvolved mucosa and demonstrated a 3- to 4-fold excess in the distal relative to the proximal bowel in both MIN mice and AOM-treated rats. We then investigated another putative NSAID target, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR-delta) and demonstrated up-regulation during AOM-induced colonic tumorigenesis. Furthermore, in pre-neoplastic mucosa, there was a 3-fold excess of PPAR-delta in the distal colon. We demonstrate that nabumetone is an effective protective agent in both experimental models of colon carcinogenesis. The striking distal predilection of nabumetone may be, at least partially, explained by distal bowel over-expression of COX-2 and PPAR-delta.     

TIMP-3甲基化调控与大肠癌转移的关系研究

目的探讨TIMP-3基因启动子5’CpG岛甲基化状况与大肠癌转移的关系。方法随机收集45例大肠癌病例。用甲基化特异性PCR检测TIMP-3基因启动子5’CpG岛甲基化状况;用免疫组化方法检测TIMP-3蛋白的表达水平;分析TIMP-3基因启动子甲基化与大肠癌转移之间的关系。结果大肠癌肝转移组、淋巴结转移组TIMP-3基因甲基化率分别高于非肝转移组（P〈0．01）、非淋巴结转移组（P〈0．01）;Duck＇s C＋D组甲基化率高于Duck’s A＋B组。大肠癌TIMP-3基因甲基化与TIMP-3蛋白的表达缺失有关（P〈0．01）。结论TIMP-3甲基化是大肠癌中TIMP-3蛋白表达缺失的主要原因,在大肠癌转移中发挥重要的作用,提示预后不良。     

Emerging role of competing endogenous RNA and associated noncoding RNAs in thyroid cancer

Cancer of the thyroid is the most common endocrine malignancy. While treatment options are limited for individuals with medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer, understanding the underlying mechanisms is vital to developing a successful thyroid cancer treatment strategy due to the tumor’s multistep carcinogenesis. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been associated with thyroid cancer progression in several recent studies; however, the role of regulatory interactions among different types of ncRNAs in thyroid cancer remains unclear. Recently, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) has been discovered as a mechanism demonstrating regulatory interactions among non-coding RNAs, including pseudogenes, long non-coding RNAs (lnRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs). It has been concluded from the literature that numerous ceRNA networks are deregulated during the development, invasion, and metastasis of thyroid cancer, as well as in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance. Further understanding of these deregulations is important to develop diagnostic procedures for early detection of thyroid cancer and promising therapeutic options for effective treatment. The purpose of this review is to highlight the emerging roles of some newly found ceRNA members in thyroid cancer and outline the current body of knowledge regarding ceRNA, lncRNA, pseudogenes, and miRNAs.     

Zerumbone,a tropical ginger sesquiterpene,inhibits colon and lung carcinogenesis in mice

Zerumbone (ZER), present in subtropical ginger Zingiber zerumbet Smith, possesses anti‐growth and anti‐inflammatory properties in several human cancer cell lines. ZER also down‐regulates the cyclooxygenase‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression via modulation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation in cell culture systems. These findings led us to investigate whether ZER is able to inhibit carcinogenesis in the colon and lung, using 2 different preclinical mouse models. In Exp. 1, a total of 85 male ICR mice were initiated using a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg bw) and promoted by 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days for rapid induction of colonic neoplasms. Animals were then fed the diet containing 100, 250 or 500 ppm ZER for 17 weeks. In Exp. 2, a total of 50 female A/J mice were given a single i.p. injection of 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (10 μmol/mouse) to induce lung proliferative lesions. They were then fed the diet mixed with 100, 250 or 500 ppm ZER for 21 weeks. At the termination of the experiments (wk 20 of Exp. 1 and wk 22 of Exp. 2), all animals were subjected to complete necropsy examination to determine the pathological lesions in both tissues. Oral administration of ZER at 100, 250 and 500 ppm significantly inhibited the multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinomas. The treatment also suppressed colonic inflammation. In the lung carcinogenesis, ZER feeding at 250 and 500 ppm significantly inhibited the multiplicity of lung adenomas in a dose‐dependent manner. Feeding with ZER resulted in inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of NFκB and heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 expression in tumors developed in both tissues. Our findings suggest that dietary administration of ZER effectively suppresses mouse colon and lung carcinogenesis through multiple modulatory mechanisms of growth, apoptosis, inflammation and expression of NFκB and HO‐1 that are involved in carcinogenesis in the colon and lung. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

叶酸、DNA甲基化在宫颈癌变中作用的研究进展

宫颈癌是严重威胁妇女生命健康的常见恶性肿瘤之一.叶酸为体内最重要的甲基提供者S-腺苷蛋氨酸(S-adenosylmethionine,SAM)合成的必需物质,广泛参与体内DNA甲基化,与肿瘤的发生和发展密切相关.近年研究显示,叶酸缺乏通过介导体内DNA甲基化异常在宫颈癌变过程中发挥协同作用,越来越受到学者的重视.本文就...     

Chemopreventive effect of farnesol and lanosterol on colon carcinogenesis

Cholesterol metabolites play a several critical roles in regulating cell growth and function. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme for this pathway, is down regulated by feedback mechanisms due to increased levels of cholesterol and its premetabolites. Several HMG-CoA metabolites, such as farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranyl pyrophosphate are implicated in oncogene activation and tumorigenesis. Recent studies suggest that inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase by specific inhibitors or by naturally-occurring phytochemicals, such as farnesol or squalene can modulate tumor cell growth. Thus, in this study, we have assessed the chemopreventive efficacy of farnesol and lanosterol on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. In addition, we measured the effect of farnesol and lanosterol on serum high denisity lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol levels in the rats. Seven-week-old male F344 rats were fed the control diet (modified AIN-76A) or experimental diets containing I or 2% lanosterol or 1.5% farnesol. One week later, all animals except those in vehicle (normal saline)-treatment groups were s.c. injected with AOM (15 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 2 weeks). At 16 weeks of age, all rats were killed, colons were evaluated for ACF and serum was assayed for HDL and cholesterol levels. Administration of dietary farnesol significantly inhibited ACF formation by about 34% (P < 0.001) and reduced crypt multiplicity by about 44% (P < 0.0001). Also, administration of lanosterol at dose levels of I or 2 % in the diet significantly suppressed AOM-induced colonic ACF as well as multicrypt foci formation. (P < 0.01-0.001). Further, farnesol at 1.5% and lanosterol at 1% did not show any significant effect on serum HDL nor on total cholesterol levels. However, lanosterol at 2% significantly increased serum HDL (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01) levels. That farnesol and lanosterol significantly suppress colonic ACF formation and crypt multiplicity strengthens the hypothesis that these agents possess chemopreventive activity against colon carcinogenesis.     

Correlation of neomycin, faecal neutral and acid sterols with colon carcinogenesis in rats.

High fat diets have been implicated in incidence of colon cancer both in epidemiological and animal studies. Present investigation deals with the incidence, location and numbers of large and small bowel tumours induced by 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) in rats fed high fat diets and neomycin. Neomycin was used to modify the faecal sterol metabolism and the relationship of the high fat diet and faecal neutral and acid sterols to the large bowel tumorigenesis was evaluated. DMH administered rats were fed with (a) 20% safflower oil; (b) 20% safflower oil and neomycin; (c) 20% safflower oil, cholesterol and cholic acid; and (d) 20% safflower oil, cholesterol, cholic acid and neomycin. Neomycin was found to be associated with both increase and decrease of tumour numbers. The faecal sterols lithocholic and deoxycholic acids were found to have no participation, while cholesterol and cholic acid were found to decrease with increase in tumour numbers. However, faecal coprostanol has been found to have a significant positive correlation with tumorigenesis in all dietary groups. Therefore coprostanol might possibly be associated with colon carcinogenesis in DMH-fed rats and cholesterol metabolism in gut appears to be related to the development of tumours.     

Chemopreventive effect of a mixture of Chinese Herbs (antitumor B) on chemically induced oral carcinogenesis

In this study, we evaluated chemopreventive efficacy of Antitumor B, a Chinese herbal mixture of six plants (Sophora tonkinensis, Polygonum bistorta, Prunella vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis L., Dictamnus dasycarpus, and Dioscorea bulbifera) on the development of 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide (4NQO) induced oral squamous cell carcinomas in A/J mice. Antitumor B, delivered through diet, inhibited 4NQO‐induced oral cancer development by 59.19%. The reduction of cell proliferation appears to be associated with efficacy of Antitumor B against 4NQO‐induced oral cancer in A/J mice. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphorylated EGFR (Tyr1173) were down‐regulated by Antitumor B. Tissue distribution of Antitumor B was determined using obacunone, matrine, and maackiain as marker chemicals. We found significant amounts of obacunone, matrine, and maackiain in the blood after 1‐wk treatment. The concentrations of these three compounds did not increase further at 18 wk, suggesting that plasma concentrations had reached a steady‐state level at 1 wk. There was no significant body weight loss and there was no other obvious sign of toxicity in Antitumor B‐treated mice. These results suggest that Antitumor B is a promising agent for human oral cancer chemoprevention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

DNA methylation predicts recurrence from resected stage III proximal colon cancer

BACKGROUND:

In colorectal cancer (CRC), DNA methylation anomalies define distinct subgroups termed CpG island methylator phenotype 1 (CIMP1), CIMP2, and CIMP‐negative. The role of this classification in predicting recurrence and disease‐free survival (DFS) in resected stage III CRC was evaluated.

METHODS:

Sporadic cancers from 161 patients were analyzed. Bisulfite pyrosequencing was used to examine the methylation of 2 global DNA methylation markers (LINE‐1, Alu) and 9 loci (MINT1, MINT2, MINT31, P16, hMLH1, P14, SFRP1, SFRP2, and WNT5A). Mutations in BRAF and KRAS were assayed.

RESULTS:

Gene hypermethylation clustered in discrete groups of patients, indicating the presence of CIMP. K‐means clustering analysis identified 3 discrete subgroups: CIMP1 (n = 22, 13.7%), associated with proximal location and BRAF mutations; CIMP2 (n = 40, 24.8%), associated with KRAS mutations; and CIMP‐negative (n = 99, 61.5%), associated with distal location. In proximal CRC, CIMP1 was correlated with a higher recurrence rate (53% for CIMP1, 18% for CIMP2, and 26% for CIMP‐negative) and a worse DFS (P = .015). Also in proximal CRC, LINE‐1 methylation was lower in patients whose cancer recurred compared with those whose cancer did not recur (P = .049). In multivariate analysis, CIMP1 and low LINE1 methylation were independent prognostic factors for DFS in proximal CRC (P = .008 for classification by K‐means clustering analysis; P = .040 for LINE‐1 methylation status).

CONCLUSIONS:

DNA methylation is a useful biomarker of recurrence in resected stage III proximal but not distal CRC. However, as the number of CIMP1 cases was small in distal CRC, further study is required to validate our findings. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

siRNA敲减DNMT1表达对T-cadherin基因甲基化及结肠癌细胞生物学行为的影响

目的 肿瘤的发生、发展和侵袭转移是影响结肠癌治疗的重要原因,有研究发现DNA甲基化状态在肿瘤的发生、发展中起着重要作用,抑制T-cadherin表达可增强肿瘤细胞侵袭和迁移能力.本研究探讨siRNA敲减DNA甲基转移酶1(DNA methyl transferase 1,DNMT1)基因表达对结肠癌细胞T-cadherin基因甲基化及细胞生物学行为影响.方法 设计针对DNMT1的siRNA1、siRNA2和siRNA3重组质粒,分别转染HT-29、SW620和HCT116细胞系,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测DNMT1表达,以筛选敲减效率最高的DNMT1 siRNA和细胞系.用敲减效率最高的DNMT1 siRNA转染相应细胞系,采用甲基化特异性PCR检测T-cadherin甲基化水平,采用实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白印迹法检测T-cadherin表达.用敲减效率最高的DNMT1 siRNA转染相应细胞系,采用噻唑蓝比色法、流式细胞术、Transwell和细胞划痕实验检测细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭和迁移情况,观察敲减DNMT1对细胞生物学行为的影响;同时设置T-cadherin shRNA重组质粒转染组,观察同时敲减DNMT1和T-cadherin对细胞生物学行为的影响.结果 DNMT1 siRNA1重组质粒对HT-29细胞系DNMT1的敲减效果最好.DNMT1 siRNA1转染HT-29细胞后,DNMT1组T-cadherin基因甲基化水平明显低于空质粒组和空白组,DNMT1组与空质粒组(F=314.182)和空白组(F=283.625)差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001.DNMT1组和联合组DNMT1 mRNA表达量(0.27±0.08)和蛋白表达量(0.41±0.12)显著低于空质粒组和空白组.其中mRNA表达,DNMT1组与空质粒组(F=544.581)和空白组(F=525.811)组差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001;联合组与空质粒组(F=507.501)和空白组(F=494.958)也差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001.蛋白表达量,DNMT1组与空质粒组(F=217.550)和空白组(F=275.469)差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001:联合组与空质粒组(F=321.707)和空白组(F=407.225)也差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001:而DNMT1组和联合组比较mRNA(F=0.002,P=0.965)和蛋白表达量(F=0.811,P=0.394)均差异无统计学意义.DNMT1组T-cadherin mRNA表达量(1.17±0.34)和蛋白表达量(1.38±0.54)显著高于联合组、空质粒组和空白组.其中mRNA表达,DNMT1组与联合组(F=433.103)、空质粒组(F=313.768)、空白组(F=372.118)差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001.对于蛋白表达量,DN-MT1组与联合组(F=89.315)、空质粒组(F=156.745)、空白组(F=196.702)差异有统计学意义,均P<0.001.而联合组与空质粒组(F=1.310,P=0.262;F=0.144,P=0.714)和空白组(F=3.713,P=0.064;F=0.038,P=0.850)的mRNA和蛋白表达量比较差异无统计学意义.与联合组、空质粒组和空白组比较,DNMT1组第24、36、48、72 h的A值显著减小,F组别=14.479,P<0.001;F时间=37.755,P<0.001.DNMT1组与联合组(F=1004.194,P<0.001)、空质粒组(F=1190.815,P<0.001)、空白组(F=781.018,P<0.001)比较细胞总凋亡率显著升高;DNMT1组穿膜细胞数目为(61.3±10.7)个,与联合组(F=86.730,P<0.001)、空质粒组(F=282.962,P<0.001)、空白组(F=152.538,P<0.001)比较显著减少.DNMT1组细胞迁移距离为(235.8±6.3)μm,与联合组(F=2535.55,P<0.001)、空质粒组(F=9767.233,P<0.001)、空白组(F=8420.830,P<0.001)比较显著减少.而联合组与空质粒组和空白组比较,A值、细胞总凋亡率、穿膜细胞数目和细胞迁移距离均差异无统计学意义,P>0.05.结论 DNMT1 siRNA1可有效敲减HT-29细胞DNMT1表达,逆转T-cadherin高甲基化状态并上调其表达.敲减DNMT1可明显抑制HT-29细胞增殖,促进其凋亡,降低其侵袭和迁移能力;而同时敲减T-cadherin能够逆转此种现象,说明敲减DNMT1引起的细胞生物学行为改变可能是通过T-cadherin来实现的.     

Antibiotics suppress colon tumorigenesis through inhibition of aberrant DNA methylation in an azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium colitis model

Chronic inflammation is involved in the development of colon cancer by inducing mutations and aberrant DNA methylation in colon epithelial cells. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that colonic microbiota modulates the inflammation response in the host and influences colon tumorigenesis. However, the influence of colonic microbiota on aberrant DNA methylation remains unknown. Here, we show the effect of colonic microbes on DNA methylation and tumorigenicity using a mouse model of human ulcerative colitis. Mice treated with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) showed an increase in degree of colitis, as estimated by body weight, occult blood, and stool consistency/diarrhea at 2 weeks after treatment, but treatment with antibiotics markedly reduced the severity of the colitis. Although mucosal hyperplasia and increased inflammation‐related genes were observed in the colonic epithelial cells of the AOM/DSS‐treated mice, treatment with antibiotics abrogated these changes. In addition, treatment with antibiotics significantly decreased the number of mucosal nodules from 5.9 ± 5.3 to 0.2 ± 0.6 (P < .01) and area of occupancy from 50.1 ± 57.4 to 0.5 ± 1.4 mm² (P < .01). Aberrant DNA methylation of three marker CpG islands (Cbln4, Fosb, and Msx1) was induced by AOM/DSS treatment in colonic mucosae, but this increase was suppressed by 50%‐92% (P < .05) with antibiotic treatment. Microbiome analysis showed that this change was associated with a decrease of the Clostridium leptum subgroup. These data indicate that antibiotics suppressed tumorigenesis through inhibition of aberrant DNA methylation induced by chronic inflammation.     

5-杂氮-2'-脱氧胞苷对人结肠癌细胞E-cadherin基因表达及甲基化的影响

背景与目的:结肠癌是最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,其发病机制仍未完全明了。目前认为DNA甲基化导致转录抑制是恶性肿瘤发生的重要机制之一。E-cadherin能抑制肿瘤的浸润和转移,被公认为是浸润、转移抑制基因。结肠癌常表现有E-cadherin基因失活。本研究通过检测人结肠癌细胞株HT-29中E-cadherin基因表达及甲基化状态,初步探讨结肠癌的发病机制。方法:光镜观察5-杂氮-2'-脱氧胞苷(5-Aza-CdR)干预前后细胞形态学变化;免疫细胞化学及RT-PCR检测不同浓度5-Aza-CdR干预对HT-29细胞中E-cadherin蛋白及mRNA表达的影响;甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)分析细胞中E-cadherin基因甲基化状态。结果:5-Aza-CdR干预能使其甲基化的E-cadherin基因重新表达;免疫细胞化学染色检测1μmol/L5-Aza-CdR干预24h后细胞E-cadherin阳性率由(21±7)%提高到5μmol/L5-Aza-CdR干预时的(39±13)%;E-cadherin基因在HT-29细胞中有甲基化修饰。结论:E-cadherin基因启动子区异常甲基化是结肠癌发生、发展的重要机制之一,...     

Evidence for the role of aberrant DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of Lynch syndrome adenomas

Colorectal cancer (CRC) forms through a series of histologic steps that are accompanied by mutations and epigenetic alterations, which is called the polyp-cancer sequence. The role of epigenetic alterations, such as aberrant DNA methylation, in the polyp-cancer sequence in sporadic CRC and particularly in hereditary colon cancer is not well understood. Consequently, we assessed the methylation status of CDKN2A/p16, MGMT, MLH1 and p14(ARF) in adenomas arising in the Lynch syndrome, a familial colon cancer syndrome caused by MLH1 and MSH2 mutations, to determine if DNA methylation is a "second hit" mechanism in CRC and to characterize the role of DNA methylation in the polyp phase of the Lynch syndrome. We found MLH1 and p14(ARF) are methylated in 53 and 60% of the Lynch syndrome adenomas and in 4 and 20% of sporadic adenomas, whereas CDKN2A/p16 and MGMT are methylated in 6 and 14% of the Lynch syndrome adenomas versus 50 and 64% of sporadic adenomas. Therefore, the frequency and pattern of gene methylation varies between the Lynch syndrome and sporadic colon adenomas, implying differences in the molecular pathogenesis of the tumors. MLH1 methylation in the Lynch syndrome adenomas suggests gene methylation might have a role in the initiation of these neoplasms.