Diagnostic value for methylation in cervical cancer based on a small‐molecule fluorescent probe targeting DNMT1

TL;DR

A new fluorescent probe can detect methylation levels in cervical tissues, helping to distinguish between different types of cervical lesions.

Contribution

A novel small-molecule fluorescent probe targeting DNMT1 is introduced for methylation-based cervical cancer diagnosis.

Findings

Grayscale values of cervical lesions varied significantly across four groups (p < 0.05).

The probe showed 100% positivity in cervical cancer and 0% in cervicitis.

Staining patterns differed distinctly among lesion types using the fluorescent probe.

Abstract

Value analysis of a small‐molecule fluorescent probe for methylation detection in different cervical lesions.

(1) The grayscale values of distinct lesion tissues were remarkably distinct among the four groups (p < 0.05). The comparison of the grayscale value between the two groups showed that the CA group noticeably exceeded the LSIL and cervicitis groups, and the HSIL group was apparently higher than the LSIL and cervicitis groups (p < 0.05); (2) The mean grayscale values of the enrolled subjects were calculated with 55.21 as the midline, with >55.21 as positive and ≤55.21 as negative.

The results showed that the positive rate of the cervicitis group was 0.00%, the LSIL group 67.74%, the HSIL group 83.33%, and the CA group 100.00%. The results among the four groups were notably distinct (p < 0.05); (3) The comparison among DAPI, probe, bright, and merged images of cervicitis, LSIL, HSIL, and CA indicated that different cervical lesions were with quite various stains.

The grayscale value, positive rate, and stained picture of distinct cervical lesions were remarkably different. The small‐molecule fluorescent probe has a good value in differentiating cervical lesions and can be considered for popularization and application.