Published online Sep 27, 2023. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i9.2032
Peer-review started: June 8, 2023
First decision: July 7, 2023
Revised: July 13, 2023
Accepted: August 4, 2023
Article in press: August 4, 2023
Published online: September 27, 2023
Processing time: 106 Days and 11.6 Hours
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, emphasizing the need for early detection. Stool DNA (sDNA) testing is a promising non-invasive method for CRC detection, and syndecan-2 (SDC2) methylation has been identified as a potential biomarker for this test.
The study aimed to investigate whether SDC2 methylation in sDNA normalizes after surgical resection of CRC, which could have implications for the diagnostic value and postoperative surveillance of SDC2 methylation.
The study aimed to compare the detection rates of SDC2 methylation in preoperative and postoperative stool samples of CRC patients and assess the association between SDC2 methylation and clinicopathological parameters. The study also sought to evaluate the change in SDC2 methylation levels before and after surgery.
A prospective study enrolled 151 CRC patients who underwent surgical resection. Stool samples were collected before and after surgery, and SDC2 methylation in sDNA was assessed using a quantitative methylation-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction. The association between SDC2 methylation and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.
The detection rate of SDC2 methylation was significantly higher in preoperative stool samples (88.6%) compared to postoperative samples (19.7%). Large tumor size and advanced T stage were associated with higher detection rates before surgery, while female sex was associated with false positives after surgery. The cycle threshold (CT) values significantly decreased after surgery, indicating a normalization of SDC2 methylation. The postoperative negative conversion rate for preoperatively methylated SDC2 was 79.3%.
The study findings suggest that the SDC2 methylation test in sDNA has acceptable sensitivity and specificity for CRC detection. However, the detection rate is lower for small-size and early T stage tumors. The significant decrease in CT values after surgery indicates the diagnostic value of SDC2 methylation testing for CRC.
Further research is needed to validate the findings and assess the long-term utility of SDC2 methylation testing as a surveillance tool for postoperative CRC patients. Multicenter prospective studies with extended follow-up periods are warranted to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of SDC2 methylation testing in clinical practice.