Research Progress of Abnormal DNA Methylation in the Development, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancy in men around the world. In recent years, studies have shown that the development of PCa is driven by epigenetic modifications to a great extent, mediated through abnormal DNA methylation. Aberrant methylation of DNA promoters leads to abnormal expression of genes that regulate the development and progression of PCa. In addition, the current diagnosis of PCa still relies on tissue invasiveness. Prostate biopsy is an invasive process whereas non-invasive liquid biopsy based measurement of abnormal DNA methylation is expected to become the future diagnostic method and may be established as a therapeutic target. This article reviews the progress on DNA methylation in the development, early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of PCa.