Methods for Identifying Cancer Risk

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject. The methods include analyzing a first biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject for loss of imprinting of the IGF2 gene. According to the methods a loss of imprinting is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer. The method can include analyzing genomic DNA from the sample for altered methylation of the IGF2 gene. The altered methylation for example includes hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of IGF2, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a polymorphism thereof. The method can be performed on a subject having no apparent or suspected hyperproliferative disorder such as cancer.

1 . A kit for determining a methylation status of a differentially methylated region (DMR) of IGF2 corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a polymorphism thereof, comprising an oligonucleotide probe, primer, or primer pair, or combination thereof, capable of selectively hybridizing to the DMR with or without prior bisulfite treatment of the DMR. 
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more detectable labels. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises a plurality of oligonucleotide probes, primers, or primer pairs, or combinations thereof, capable of binding to the DMR with or without prior bisulfite treatment of the DMR. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises an oligonucleotide primer pair that hybridizes under stringent conditions to all or a portion of the DMR only after bisulfite treatment. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit further comprises instructions for using the kit to identify an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject.