OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the epigenetic inactivation of Ras association domain family 2 (RASSF2) in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer by detecting the methylation and protein expression of RASSF2 in the tissues of prostate cancer and prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODSWe obtained genome DNA from 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of prostate cancer (experimental group) and another 30 of prostatic hyperplasia (control group). We detected the methylation of RASSF2 by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and its protein expression by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe rates of RASSF2 promoter hypermethylation and the absence of its protein expression were 66.7% (20/30) and 70.0% (21/30) respectively in the experimental group, significantly higher than 6.7% (2/30) and 3.3% (1/30) in the control group (P < 0.05). The promoter hypermethylation of RASSF2 was significantly correlated with the absence of its protein expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe epigenetic inactivation of RASSF2 is involved in the occurrence of prostate cancer, and is expected to be a target of molecular diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.