DNA methylation in lung cancer patients: Opening a window of life under precision medicine

DNA methylation is a work of adding a methyl group to the 5th carbon atom of cytosine in DNA sequence under the catalysis of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) to produce 5-methyl cytosine. Some current studies have elucidated the mechanism of lung cancer occurrence and causes of lung cancer progression and metastasis from the perspective of DNA methylation. Moreover, many studies have shown that smoking can change the methylation status of some gene loci, leading to the occurrence of lung cancer, especially central lung cancer. This review mainly introduces the role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis, early diagnosis and screening, progression and metastasis, treatment, and prognosis of lung cancer, as well as the latest progress. We point out that methylation markers, sample tests, and methylation detection limit the clinical application of DNA methylation. If the liquid biopsy is to become the main force in lung cancer diagnosis, it must make efficient use of limited samples and improve the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. In addition, we also put forward our views on the future development direction of DNA methylation.

Automated summary

DNA methylation, catalyzed by DNMT, plays a role in lung cancer pathogenesis and progression, with smoking influencing gene methylation status and increasing the risk of central lung cancer. It is crucial in the mechanisms of lung cancer, early diagnosis, and treatment, but faces challenges in clinical application due to limitations in methylation markers and sample tests. The future development of DNA methylation may need to focus on improving efficiency and sensitivity in liquid biopsy for lung cancer diagnosis.