Aberrant DNA methylation of PAX1, SOX1 and ZNF582 genes as potential biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Pyrosequencing is considered the gold standard for methylation detection. Using pyrosequencing to detect the DNA methylation statue of PAX1, SOX1 and ZNF582 in ESCC. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the detection of PAX1/SOX1/ZNF582 methylation status may serve as a promising biomarker for ESCC screening and diagnosis. [Display omitted] •Gene methylation is one of the importance causes of cancer.•The methylation levels of PAX1, SOX1, and ZNF582 genes were significantly higher in ESCC tissues than non-cancerous tissues.•Hypermethylation of PAX1, SOX1 and ZNF582 was an independent risk factor of ESCC development.•Detection of PAX1/SOX1/ZNF582 methylation status has excellent sensitivity and specificity of ESCC diagnosis. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly invasive malignant tumor and the majority of patients have advanced stage of ESCC at diagnosis with poor outcome. Identification of sensitive and specific biomarkers for early screening of ESCC is critical for improving patient overall survival. Pyrosequencing was used to determine the magnitude of DNA methylation on the selected regions PAX1 (paired box gene1), SOX1(sex determining region Y-box-1), and ZNF582 (zinc finger protein 582) in ESCC. The methylation levels ofPAX1, SOX1, and ZNF582 genes were significantly higher in the cancerous tissues compared to those in the non-cancerous (all P