Epigenetic DNA modifications and vitamin C in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia: Exploring similarities, disparities, and pathogenic implications

•Characteristic DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation changes have been observed in both PC and BPH, suggesting potential shared molecular pathways between the two conditions.•Diminished levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine may extend beyond tumor tissue to include surrogate tissues like leukocytes, indicating systemic alterations in epigenetic modifications during tumor progression.•Factors such as chronic inflammation, vitamin C availability, and oxidative stress can influence DNA modification processes, including DNA demethylation mediated by TET enzymes.•Leukocytes exhibit characteristic epigenetic modification patterns in individuals with BPH and PC, suggesting their potential utility as early markers of prostate cancer development. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostate Cancer (PC) are very common pathologies among aging men. Both disorders involve aberrant cell division and differentiation within the prostate gland. However, the direct link between these two disorders still remains controversial. A plethora of works have demonstrated that inflammation is a major causative factor in both pathologies. Another key factor involved in PC development is DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation. A broad spectrum of parameters, including epigenetic DNA modifications and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine, was analyzed by two-dimensional ultraperformance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in tissues of BPH, PC, and marginal one, as well as in leukocytes of the patients and the control group. In the same material, the expression of TETs and TDG genes was measured using RT-qPCR. Additionally, vitamin C was quantified in the blood plasma and within cells (leukocytes and prostate tissues). Unique patterns of DNA modifications and intracellular vitamin C (iVC) in BPH and PC tissues, as well as in leukocytes, were found in comparison with control samples. The majority of the alterations were more pronounced in leukocytes than in the prostate tissues. Characteristic DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation and iVC profiles have been observed in both PC and BPH, suggesting potential shared molecular pathways between the two conditions. As a fraction of leukocytes may be recruited to the pathological tissues and can migrate back into the circulation/blood, the observed alterations in leukocytes may reflect dynamic changes associated with the PC development, suggesting their potential utility as early markers of prostate cancer development.