Plasma GBP2 promoter methylation is associated with advanced stages in breast cancer

Abstract Blood methylated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a minimally invasive cancer biomarker has great importance in cancer management. Guanylate binding protein 2 (GBP2) has been considered as a possible controlling factor in tumor development. GBP2 gene expression and its promoter methylation status in both plasma cfDNA and tumor tissues of ductal carcinoma breast cancer patients were analyzed using SYBR green comparative Real-Time RT-PCR and, Methyl-specific PCR techniques, respectively in order to find a possible cancer-related marker. The results revealed that GBP2 gene expression and promoter methylation were inversely associated. GBP2 was down-regulated in tumors with emphasis on triple negative status, nodal involvement and higher cancer stages (p