Objective: To detect methylation in promoter region of hMSH2 gene in esophageal cancer.
Methods: Specimens of cancer and normal tissues freshly removed from 32 cases of esophageal cancer patients without previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatment were preserved at -80 degrees C within 30 min. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect methylation of mismatch repair gene (MMR) hMSH2 in promoter region in esophageal cancer and normal esophageal tissues.
Results: The frequencies of methylation of hMSH2 gene in promoter region of cancer and normal esophageal tissues were 32.4% (11/32) and 0/30 (0%), respectively, and significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.01). The frequency of methylation in elder patients (> or = 70 years old) was significantly higher than that in younger patients (< 70 years old) (P < 0.05). Methylation was less frequently found in grade I-II (18.2%) than in grade III-IV (70.0%) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Methylation of hMSH2 gene in promoter region is related to patients' age and histopathological grade of the esophageal cancer.