Cancer Risk Stratification of Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Men by Validated Methylation Markers Associated With Progression to Cancer

Ramon P. van der Zee, Olivier Richel, Carel J. M. van Noesel, Iuliana Ciocănea-Teodorescu, Annina P. van Splunter, Timo J. ter Braak, Mayura Nathan, Tamzin Cuming, Michael Sheaff, Alexander Kreuter, Chris J. L. M. Meijer, Wim G. V. Quint, Henry J. C. de Vries, Jan M. Prins, Renske D. M. Steenbergen

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23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: High-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN; AIN2-3) is highly prevalent in HIV+ men, but only a minority of these lesions progress towards cancer. Currently, cancer progression risk cannot be established; therefore, no consensus exists on whether HGAIN should be treated. This study aimed to validate previously identified host cell DNA methylation markers for detection and cancer risk stratification of HGAIN. METHODS: A large independent cross-sectional series of 345 anal cancer, AIN3, AIN2, AIN1, and normal control biopsies of HIV+ men was tested for DNA methylation of 6 genes using quantitative methylation-specific PCR. We determined accuracy for detection of AIN3 and cancer (AIN3+) by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, followed by leave-one-out cross-validation. Methylation levels were assessed in a series of 10 anal cancer cases with preceding HGAIN at similar anatomic locations, and compared with the cross-sectional series. RESULTS: Methylation levels of all genes increased with increasing severity of disease (P < .05). HGAIN revealed a heterogeneous methylation pattern, with a subset resembling cancer. ZNF582 showed highest accuracy (AUC = 0.88) for AIN3+ detection, slightly improved by addition of ASCL1 and SST (AUC = 0.89), forming a marker panel. In the longitudinal series, HGAIN preceding cancer displayed high methylation levels similar to cancers. CONCLUSIONS: We validated the accuracy of 5 methylation markers for the detection of anal (pre-) cancer. High methylation levels in HGAIN were associated with progression to cancer. These markers provide a promising tool to identify HGAIN in need of treatment, preventing overtreatment of HGAIN with a low cancer progression risk.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2154-2163
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume72
Issue number12
Early online date8 Apr 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • HIV
  • anal cancer
  • anal intraepithelial neoplasia
  • host cell DNA methylation markers
  • human papillomavirus

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