Minimally Invasive and Emerging Diagnostic Approaches in Endometrial Cancer: Epigenetic Insights and the Promise of DNA Methylation

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy, with rising incidence and mortality rates. Key risk factors, including obesity, prolonged estrogen exposure, and metabolic disorders, underscore the urgent need for non-invasive, early diagnostic tools. This review focuses on the role of DNA methylation as a potential biomarker for early EC detection. Aberrant DNA methylation in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes can lead to gene silencing and cancer progression. We examine recent studies utilizing minimally invasive samples, such as urine, cervicovaginal, and cervical scrapes, to detect early-stage EC through DNA methylation patterns. Markers such as RASSF1A, HIST1H4F, GHSR, SST, and ZIC1 have demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with AUC values up to 0.95, effectively distinguishing EC from non-cancerous conditions. This review highlights the potential of DNA methylation-based testing as a non-invasive alternative to traditional diagnostic methods, offering earlier detection, better risk stratification, and more personalized treatment plans. These innovations hold the promise of transforming clinical practice by enabling more timely and effective management of endometrial cancer.

Keywords

• endometrial cancer
• DNA methylation
• epigenetic biomarkers
• non-invasive diagnostics
• obesity-related cancer risk
• early cancer detection