Methylation of the HACE1 gene is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/Aims: Recently, it has been reported that HACE1, the E3 ubiquitin ligase, is epigenetically inactivated in human Wilms' tumors and HACE 1 expression was also down-regulated in colorectal and gastric carcinomas. Methodology: In this study, methylation status of the HACE1 gene was examined in primary carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues derived from 27 patients with HCC using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). Results: Methylation of the HACE1 gene was detected in 18 out of the 27 (67%) HCCs, suggesting that the methylation of HACE1 was frequently observed in HCC. The clinicopathological data were then correlated with these results. In the value of serum AFP (a-fetoprotein), a significant difference was observed (p=0.0025). Conclusions: All stages of HCCs presented HACE1 methylation, indicating that the HACE1 gene has been methylated from the early stages of HCCs.