Differences in DNA Methylation Signatures Reveal Multiple Pathways of Progression From Adenoma to Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background & Aims Genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). There is considerable molecular heterogeneity among colorectal tumors, which appears to arise as polyps progress to cancer. This heterogeneity results in different pathways to tumorigenesis. Although epigenetic and genetic alterations have been detected in conventional tubular adenomas, little is known about how these affect progression to CRC. We compared methylomes of normal colon mucosa, tubular adenomas, and colorectal cancers to determine how epigenetic alterations might contribute to cancer formation. Methods We conducted genome-wide array-based studies and comprehensive data analyses of aberrantly methylated loci in 41 normal colon tissue, 42 colon adenomas, and 64 cancers using HumanMethylation450 arrays. Results We found genome-wide alterations in DNA methylation in the non-tumor colon mucosa adjacent to tubular adenomas and cancers. Three classes of cancers and 2 classes of adenomas were identified based on their DNA methylation patterns. The adenomas separated into classes of high-frequency methylation (adenoma-H), and low-frequency methylation (adenoma-L). Within the adenoma-H class a subset of adenomas had mutant KRAS. Additionally, the adenoma-H class had DNA methylation signatures similar to those of cancers with low or intermediate levels of methylation, whereas the adenoma-L class had methylation signatures similar to that of non-tumor colon tissue. The CpGs sites that were differentially methylated in these signatures are located in intragenic and intergenic regions. Conclusions Genome-wide alterations in DNA methylation occur during early stages of progression of tubular adenomas to cancer. These findings reveal heterogeneity in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, even at the adenoma step of the process.