Table 2.

Examples of epigenetic biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Epigenetic markers
Methylated genes/loci
p14 ARF, p15 INK 4b, p16 INK4a	Cell cycle regulation
hMLH1, MGMT	DNA repair system; progression from adenoma to cancer
DAPK	Apoptosis
THBS1	Angiogenesis inhibition
SPARC	Lymphovascular invasion, metastasis
TIMP3	Metastasis suppression
CDH1, CDH13	Cell adherence
Methylation biomarkers
VIM, SEPT9, SFRP2	Biomarkers for CRC and as DNA-based colon cancer screening tests
TWIST1, IGFBP3, GAS7, ALX4, SDC2	Higher methylation levels in CRC compared to normal subjects (promising diagnostic biomarkers)
Candidate biomarkers
Methylated UGT1A1	Affects irinotecan treatment (in vitro)
Methylated DYPD, UMPK, and SPARC	Affect 5-FU treatment (in vitro)
TFAP2E	No responsiveness to oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and 5-FU

CRC: Colorectal cancer; FU: Fluorouracil.