Methylation of DLEC1 promoter is a predictor for recurrence in Chinese patients with gastric cancer.

Purpose. To investigate promoter methylation in the deleted in lung and esophageal cancer 1 (DLEC1) gene in Chinese patients with gastric cancer. Methods. A total of 227 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled. The methylations of the promoter regions of DLEC1 and ACTB were determined using quantitative methylation-specific PCR. The DLEC1 methylation was compared to the clinicopathological variables of gastric cancer. Results. DLEC1 methylation was not associated with the clinicopathological variables of gastric cancer. Patients with DLEC1-hypermethylated gastric cancer had significantly higher recurrence rate than those with DLEC1-hypomethylated gastric cancer (P = 0.025; hazard ratio = 2.43). Conclusions. Methylation of DELC1 promoter may be a valuable predictor for recurrence in Chinese patients with gastric cancer.