Epigenomics · Apr 28, 2026

Reduction in ELOVL2 methylation following curative surgery in lung cancer patients: an observational study

By Li P, Chen Z, Zhang X et al.

BACKGROUND: While tumors are known to accelerate epigenetic aging, it remains unclear whether curative surgery can reverse this effect in early-stage lung cancer patients. ELOVL2 methylation is a well-established biomarker of epigenetic age, yet its dynamics following lung cancer resection have not been characterized. RESULTS: We prospectively analyzed ELOVL2 methylation in peripheral blood from 242 patients with stage I lung cancer before and three months after curative surgery using droplet digital PCR. Postoperative methylation levels were significantly reduced compared to preoperative values (p < 0.0001). The reduction in methylation was more pronounced in female patients, whereas classification accuracy was lower in older individuals. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings show that curative surgery is associated with a decrease in ELOVL2 methylation-a marker of epigenetic aging-in early-stage lung cancer patients. This observation warrants further investigation.

doi.org/10.1080/17501911.2026.2665461Open accessPubMed 42048074Biomarkers