EphA3 Downregulation by Hypermethylation Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and TNM Stage in Colorectal Cancer

EphA3 is a member of Eph receptors, which is involved in tumorigenesis. The expression and clinical significance of EphA3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been fully investigated. Four colon cancer cell lines and a set of CRC tissues were examined for EphA3 expression. The methylation status of a CpG island within the EphA3 promoter, the presence of four somatic EPHA3 mutations, and EPHA3 gene copy number variations were also analyzed in colon cancer cell lines. EphA3 expression was lost in all colon cancer cell lines examined. EphA3 expression was lower in tumor tissues when compared with normal intestinal tissues (P