Activin Signaling in Microsatellite Stable Colon Cancers Is Disrupted by a Combination of Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms

Abstract

Only a small percentage of MSS colon cancers lose expression of activin signaling members. ACVR2 loss occurs through LOH and ACVR2 promoter hypermethylation, revealing distinct mechanisms for ACVR2 inactivation in both MSI and MSS subtypes of colon cancer.