Serum methylation levels of TAC1. SEPT9 and EYA4 as diagnostic markers for early colorectal cancers: a pilot study.

Objective: To identify methylated genes in serum with diagnostic potentials for early colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Serum methylation levels of up to 12 genes were measured in two sets of serum samples with the second set from 26 stage I CRC patients and 26 age/gender-matched controls. Results: Serum methylation levels of TAC1, SEPT9, and EYA4 were significant discriminants between stage I CRC and healthy controls. Combination of TAC1 and SEPT9 rendered 73.1% sensitivity with 92.3% specificity. Conclusion: Serum methylation levels of TAC1, SEPT9 and EYA4 may be useful biomarkers for early detection of CRC though a validation study is necessary.