BACKGROUNDTo investigate the methylation and deletion of p16 gene and its diagnostic value in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSA total of 50 lung cancer tissues and 54 normal lung tissues were examined for p16 gene methylation in exon 1 and deletion in exon 2 by PCR based methylation analysis and duplex PCR respectively.

RESULTSOut of 50 lung cancer tissues, 16 were positive for the p16 gene exon 1 methylation (32.0%), and 14 for the p16 gene exon 2 deletion (28.0%). However, in 54 cases of normal lung tissues, only 2 showed the p16 gene exon 1 methylation(3.7%), and none showed the p16 gene exon 2 deletion. There were significant differences in methylation rate (Fisher's exact= 0.000 ) and deletion rate (Fisher's exact= 0.000) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe methylation and deletion may be important mechanisms for p16 gene inactivation in non-small cell lung cancer. The detection of p16 gene status may contribute to the diagnosis of lung cancer.