This study aimed to introduce nano-gold PCR for detection of TERT methylation, and explore the correlation between TERT methylation and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From March 2016 to March 2018, 154 HBV carriers treated in our hospital were enrolled in the study and divided into HCC (68 cases), cirrhosis (45 cases) and chronic hepatitis (CH) groups (41 cases) based on clinical disease. HCC patients were further divided into methylation (30 cases) and non-methylation (38 cases) subgroup based on methylation status of the TERT. TERT methylation of HCC specimens were 44.12% and 35.24% by nano-PCR and conventional PCR, respectively. The TERT methylation and TERT expression in HCC specimens were higher than for cirrhosis and CH specimens. A significant positive correlation was observed between TERT methylation and TERT expression. AFP, Edmondson classification, tumor size, hilar lymph node and intrahepatic metastasis, and TNM staging in the methylation group were higher than in non-methylation group. Further, overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly shorter. Nano-gold PCR is more sensitive in detecting TERT methylation. As CHB progresses, TERT methylation increases. Greater methylation of the gene is associated with worse prognosis in HCC patients.

中文翻译：

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纳米金 PCR 检测 TERT 甲基化及其与乙型肝炎相关肝细胞癌的相关性。

本研究旨在引入纳米金PCR检测TERT甲基化，探讨TERT甲基化与肝细胞癌（HCC）预后的相关性。2016年3月至2018年3月，我院收治的154例HBV携带者纳入研究，根据临床疾病分为HCC组（68例）、肝硬化（45例）和慢性肝炎（CH）组（41例）。根据TERT 的甲基化状态，将 HCC 患者进一步分为甲基化（30 例）和非甲基化（38 例）亚组。通过纳米 PCR 和常规 PCR，HCC 标本的TERT甲基化分别为 44.12% 和 35.24%。该TERT的甲基化和TERTHCC 标本中的表达高于肝硬化和 CH 标本。在TERT甲基化和TERT表达之间观察到显着的正相关。甲基化组的AFP、Edmondson分型、肿瘤大小、肺门淋巴结和肝内转移、TNM分期均高于非甲基化组。此外，总生存期和无进展生存期显着缩短。纳米金 PCR 检测TERT甲基化更灵敏。随着 CHB 的进展，TERT甲基化增加。该基因的较大甲基化与 HCC 患者较差的预后相关。