Current evidence supporting associations of DNA methylation measurements with survivorship burdens in cancer survivors: A scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Identifying reliable biomarkers that reflect cancer survivorship symptoms remains a challenge for researchers. DNA methylation (DNAm) measurements reflecting epigenetic changes caused by anti‐cancer therapy may provide needed insights. Given lack of consensus describing utilization of DNAm data to predict survivorship issues, a review evaluating the current landscape is warranted. Objective Provide an overview of current studies examining associations of DNAm with survivorship burdens in cancer survivors. Methods A literature review was conducted including studies if they focused on cohorts of cancer survivors, utilized peripheral blood cell DNAm data, and evaluated the associations of DNAm and survivorship issues. Results A total of 22 studies were identified, with majority focused on breast (n = 7) or childhood cancer (n = 9) survivors, and half studies included less than 100 patients (n = 11). Survivorship issues evaluated included those related to neurocognition (n = 5), psychiatric health (n = 3), general wellness (n = 9), chronic conditions (n = 5), and treatment specific toxicities (n = 4). Studies evaluated epigenetic age metrics (n = 10) and DNAm levels at individual CpG sites or regions (n = 12) for their associations with survivorship issues in cancer survivors along with relevant confounding factors. Significant associations of measured DNAm in the peripheral blood samples of cancer survivors and survivorship issues were identified. Discussion/Conclusion Studies utilizing epigenetic age metrics and differential methylation analysis demonstrated significant associations of DNAm measurements with survivorship burdens. Associations were observed encompassing diverse survivorship outcomes and timeframes relative to anti‐cancer therapy initiation. These findings underscore the potential of these measurements as useful biomarkers in survivorship care and research.

Keywords

• cancer survivorship
• differential DNA methylation
• epigenetic aging
• epigenetics
• literature review
• multivariate modeling