LOX
Overview
LOX encodes lysyl oxidase, an extracellular copper-dependent amine oxidase that cross-links collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. In the context of gastric cancer, LOX promoter methylation is a marker of epigenetic field defects induced by H. pylori infection, occurring in histologically normal mucosa long before invasive cancer develops. LOX silencing reduces ECM remodeling capacity and has been associated with tumor progression in multiple cancer types.
Alterations observed in the corpus
- Promoter frequently methylated in H. pylori-affected gastric mucosa as an epigenetic field defect marker preceding cancer development in familial gastric cancer context PMID:24816255
Cancer types (linked)
- Gastric cancer (STAD): LOX promoter methylation detected in non-malignant gastric epithelium of H. pylori-positive individuals as a premalignant epigenetic field change; relevant to familial and non-familial gastric cancer risk assessment PMID:24816255
Co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity
- Co-methylated with RASSF1 in H. pylori-associated epigenetic field defects in gastric mucosa PMID:24816255
Therapeutic relevance
- LOX methylation is proposed as an investigational screening biomarker for premalignant gastric field changes, particularly in familial gastric cancer surveillance settings; not yet a validated clinical test PMID:24816255
Open questions
- Whether LOX promoter methylation in normal gastric mucosa reliably predicts progression to invasive cancer in familial vs. sporadic settings remains unestablished; circulating methylation assays remain investigational PMID:24816255
Sources
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