Frequent epigenetic inactivation of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) by promoter methylation in human gastric cancer

The role of secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) genes in gastric cancer remains largely unknown. We determined the frequency and functional significance of SFRPs hypermethylation in human gastric cancer. The expression and methylation status of four SFRP members (SFRP1, 2, 4, and 5) in primary gastric cancer samples was screened. The biological effects of SFRP were analysed by flow cytometry, cell viability assay and in vivo tumour growth in nude mice. Among the four SFRPs, only SFRP2 was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer as compared to adjacent non-cancer samples (P