@article{3031149,
    title = "USP44 Promoter Methylation in Plasma Cell-Free DNA in Prostate Cancer",
    author = "Londra, Dora and Mastoraki, Sophia and Bournakis, Evangelos and and Zavridou, Martha and Thanos, Anastasios and Rampias, Theodoros and and Lianidou, Evi S.",
    journal = "Blood cancer journal",
    year = "2021",
    volume = "13",
    number = "18",
    publisher = "MDPI",
    doi = "10.3390/cancers13184607",
    keywords = "cfDNA; liquid biopsy; real-time methylation specific PCR (MSP); USP44",
    abstract = "Simple Summary Liquid biopsy provides real-time monitoring of tumor
evolution and response to therapy through analysis of circulating tumor
cells (CTCs) and plasma-circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). USP44 is a member
of family proteins deubiquitinases, and plays an important role in cell
growth; however, its accurate role in other cellular networks is under
research. In this study, we examined for the first time USP44 promoter
methylation in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of patients with prostate
cancer (early stage n = 32, metastatic n = 39) and 10 healthy donors
(HD). USP44 promoter methylation was detected in plasma cell-free DNA by
a newly developed highly specific and sensitive real-time MSP method. We
report for the first time that detection of USP44 promoter methylation
in plasma cell free DNA provides significant prognostic information in
metastatic prostate cancer. Liquid biopsy provides real-time monitoring
of tumor evolution and response to therapy through analysis of
circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and plasma-circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
USP44 is a critical gene which plays an important role in cell
proliferation; however, its accurate role in other cellular networks is
under research. USP44 promoter methylation has been so far reported in
colorectal neoplasia and metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we
examined for the first time USP44 promoter methylation in plasma
cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of patients with prostate cancer (early stage n =
32, metastatic n = 39) and 10 healthy donors (HD). USP44 promoter
methylation was detected in plasma cell-free DNA by a newly developed
highly specific and sensitive real-time MSP method. Our findings
indicate that USP44 promoter is methylated in plasma cell-free DNA of
metastatic prostate cancer patients and that detection of USP44 promoter
methylation is significantly associated with overall survival (OS) (p =
0.008). We report for the first time that detection of USP44 promoter
methylation in plasma cell free DNA provides significant prognostic
information in metastatic prostate cancer."
}