Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma

Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most common seen malignant salivary glands tumor. A large number of clinical studies have initially confirmed that ACC cells have hypermethylation in promoter regions of multiple tumor suppressor genes. Since ACC is generally insensitive to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, using epigenetic agents, such as azacytidine, to modulate the activities of DNA methyltransferases and reverse the methylation status of tumor suppressor genes might be an attractive strategy for future adjuctive treatment of ACC, which could be combined with conventional therapies. We review recent research advances in tumor suppressor genes methylation in ACC, and provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and prognostic prediction of ACC.