Description

OPCML (also known as OBCAM) is a member of the IgLON family of cell-surface GPI-anchored proteins and has been validated as an epigenetic biomarker for ovarian cancer
in the laboratories of Dr Grant Sellar (Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Oncology Unit) and Dr Hani Gabra (Imperial College, London). There is the potential to develop methylation-specific
diagnostic assays based on tumour-associated epigenetic modification of OPCML.

Clusters of CpG dinucleotides known as CpG islands are found in the promoter regions of many genes. Aberrant methylation of cytosine residues within these regions leads to gene silencing and in cancer these epigenetic modifications are recognised to contribute to tumour initiation and progression. The fact that methylation patterns are unique to different tumour types and are chemically stable, combined with the availability of tumour DNA in a range of sample types means that cancer methylation markers are ideally suited for the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common cause of death from gynaecological malignancy, and a major contributory factor is the trend for late diagnosis. More than 65% of tumours are diagnosed at Stage III or later when the 5 year survival rate is only 20-50%. There is currently no reliable screening method for ovarian cancer. Thus, there is a clear need for novel diagnostic tests that can reliably detect this malignancy at an early stage.

Download the PDF of OPCML - Tumour Suppressor Gene Methylated in Cancers

For more information please contact

Dr Chris Baker

+44 (0) 20 3469 6300 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)