Epigenetic DNA modifications and vitamin C in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia - Exploring similarities, disparities, and pathogenic implications

Sep 21, 2026

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostate Cancer (PC) are common in aging men and share abnormal prostate cell division and differentiation. The study investigates whether epigenetic DNA modifications and vitamin C link these conditions, given ongoing controversy over their direct relationship and the role of inflammation and DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation in PC development. Using 2D-UPLC-MS/MS, RT-qPCR for TET/TDG-related genes, and vitamin C quantification in plasma, leukocytes, and tissues, distinctive profiles were identified, with changes more evident in leukocytes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Epigenetic regulation and TET/TDG pathways

Vitamin C (ascorbate) and redox-dependent effects in cancer

Neoplasia 58 (2024) 101079 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Neoplasia journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/neo)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/neo](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/neo) | Original Research
Epigenetic DNA modifications and vitamin C in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia: Exploring similarities, disparities, and
pathogenic implications | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jolanta Guza, Ewelina Zarakowska a, Pawel Mijewskia, Aleksandra Wasilowa, Fabian Lesniewskia, Marek Foksinskia, Bartosz Brzoszczykb, Piotr Jarzemski b, Daniel Gackowskia,*, Ryszard Olinskia,*
a Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toru´n, Bydgoszcz 85-092, Poland b Department of Urology, Jan Biziel University Hospital, Bydgoszcz 85-168; Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun´, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland | | | | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | | Keywords:
Epigenetic DNA modifications Benign prostatic hyperplasia Prostate cancer
Vitamin C
TET enzymes | | Objectives: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostate Cancer (PC) are very common pathologies among aging men. Both disorders involve aberrant cell division and differentiation within the prostate gland. However, the direct link between these two disorders still remains controversial. A plethora of works have demonstrated that inflammation is a major causative factor in both pathologies. Another key factor involved in PC development is DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation.
Methods: A broad spectrum of parameters, including epigenetic DNA modifications and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine, was analyzed by two-dimensional ultraperformance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in tissues of BPH, PC, and marginal one, as well as in leukocytes of the patients and the control group. In the same material, the expression of TETs and TDG genes was measured using RT-qPCR. Additionally, vitamin C was quantified in the blood plasma and within cells (leukocytes and prostate tissues).
Results: Unique patterns of DNA modifications and intracellular vitamin C (iVC) in BPH and PC tissues, as well as in leukocytes, were found in comparison with control samples. The majority of the alterations were more pronounced in leukocytes than in the prostate tissues.
Conclusions: Characteristic DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation and iVC profiles have been observed in both PC and BPH, suggesting potential shared molecular pathways between the two conditions. As a fraction of leukocytes may be recruited to the pathological tissues and can migrate back into the circulation/blood, the observed alterations in leukocytes may reflect dynamic changes associated with the PC development, suggesting their potential utility as early markers of prostate cancer development. | | Introduction Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostate Cancer (PC) are highly prevalent urological conditions affecting elderly males. Both disorders involve aberrant cell division and differentiation within the prostate gland [1]. While BPH typically lacks definitive signs of neoplastic features such as genomic alterations, coding mutations, and copy number alterations [2], some studies indicate a higher number of single nucleotide variants in BPH tissue compared to normal tissue [3]. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that cells from BPH, in contrast to cells from normal prostatic tissue, can induce the growth of prostatic epithelium in vivo [3]. This observation aligns with studies suggesting a connection between BPH and PC [4,5]. Cytosine methylated at the fifth position is the principal epigenetic mark regulating gene expression. The presence of this DNA modification in the promoter regions of genes is associated with gene repression, which has a profound impact on cellular identity [6]. Active DNA demethylation, which reverses DNA

FAQs

What relationship between BPH and prostate cancer is investigated in this study?

The study explores whether BPH and prostate cancer share molecular pathways by examining similarities and disparities in epigenetic DNA modifications and vitamin C profiles between the two conditions.

How were epigenetic DNA modifications measured?

Epigenetic DNA modifications and related biomarkers were analyzed using two-dimensional ultraperformance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in BPH, PC, and marginal tissues and in patient leukocytes.

Why are leukocyte findings considered important here?

Most alterations were more pronounced in leukocytes than in prostate tissues, suggesting leukocyte-associated changes may reflect dynamic processes during prostate cancer development and could serve as early markers.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Quinn