Methylation of SLFN11 is a marker of poor prognosis and cisplatin resistance in colorectal cancer

Aim: The expression of human SLFN11 was reported to sensitize cancer cells to DNA damaging agents. This study is to explore the epigenetic change and the function of SLFN11 in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials & methods: Six CRC cell lines and 128 primary CRC samples were used. Results: SLFN11 was methylated in 55.47% (71/128) of primary CRC. The expression of SLFN11 was regulated by promoter region methylation. Methylation of SLFN11 was significantly associated with age, poor 5-year overall survival and 5-year relapse-free survival (all p < 0.05). SLFN11 suppressed CRC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo and sensitized CRC cells to cisplatin. Conclusion: SLFN11 is frequently methylated in human CRC, and the expression of SLFN11 is regulated by promoter region methylation. Methylation of SLFN11 reduced the sensitivity of CRC cells to cisplatin.