Sequencing of DNA captured with a methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) of primary colorectal cancers, with paired normal tissue, and liver metastases from different patients.

We sought to understand the mechanisms of cancer dissemination and to improve treatments for late-stage cancer patients. Laser tissue microdissection of 10 to 25 x 106 µm2 epithelium from sections of freshly-frozen colorectal cancers (no=6), colorectal cancer liver metastases (no=12) and normal colonic mucosa (no=3) was performed to extract DNA. Methylated DNA was captured using a methylCpG binding domain (MBD) polypeptide and deep sequenced. We detected hyper and hypomethylation in both colorectal cancers and metastases compared to normal tissue.