银屑病患者皮损p16INK4a基因CpG甲基化位点和频度

目的研究皮损表皮p16INK4a甲基化阳性的银屑病患者基因启动子区CpG甲基化的位点和频度。方法采集50例银屑病患者皮损处皮肤,分离表皮,提取DNA。采用甲基化特异性PCR和测序法检测p16INK4a基因启动子区CpG甲基化的位点和频度。结果p16INK4a基因启动子甲基化阳性的患者,约50%CpG发生甲基化,均出现于特定位点。结论p16INK4a甲基化阳性银屑病患者p16INK4a基因启动子并非完全发生甲基化。     

胃癌中p16INK4a基因启动子高甲基化及其蛋白表达

目的探讨胃癌中p16^INK4a基因失活的主要分子机制及其与胃癌发生、发展的关系。方法采用甲基化特异性PCR技术检测62例胃癌和癌旁组织及10例慢性胃炎黏膜p16^INK4a基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态,用免疫组化EnVision两步法检测p16^INK4a蛋白的表达。结果62例胃癌和癌旁组织p16^INK4a基因启动子高甲基化率分别为51．6％（32／62）和19.4％（12／62）,10例正常对照胃黏膜未发现高甲基化,胃癌组织p16^INK4a基因启动子高甲基化率高于癌旁组织和正常对照（P〈0．05）。58.1％（36／62）的胃癌组织p16^INK4a蛋白表达阴性,其中72.2％（26／36）的病例具有p16^INK4a基因启动子的高甲基化,p16^INK4a基因启动子的高甲基化与其蛋白失表达密切相关（P〈0.05）。结论胃癌中p16^INK4a基因启动子的高甲基化是p16^INK4a基因失活的主要机制,并可能是胃癌发生中的早期分子事件。     

非小细胞肺癌p16基因异常与临床病理相关性研究

目的　探讨抑癌基因p16在非小细胞肺癌中的失活方式、mRNA和p16蛋白表达与临床病理因素的相关性。方法　应用对比性多重聚合酶链式反应检测 6 4例非小细胞肺癌中p16基因启动子的甲基化状况 ,同时应用原位杂交和免疫组织化学方法 [链霉素抗生物素蛋白 过氧化物酶 (SP)法 ]检测p16基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平 ,并将上述结果与非小细胞肺癌之临床病理因素进行了相关性研究。结果　 5 6 3% (36 / 6 4 )的肺癌标本被检出有p16基因启动子甲基化 ,且甲基化与p16蛋白表达呈负相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ;免疫组织化学检测结果显示 ,5 7 8% (37/ 6 4 )的标本呈现p16蛋白表达缺失 ;原位杂交检测有 2 0 3% (13/ 6 4 )的标本被检出p16mRNA表达 ,且这 13例阳性者的p16蛋白也表达。同时具有p16基因启动子甲基化和蛋白表达缺失的非小细胞肺癌患者淋巴结转移率明显增高 ,术后生存期明显降低 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　启动子甲基化是导致非小细胞肺癌p16基因失活的主要方式 ,同时具有p16基因启动子甲基化及p16蛋白表达异常的患者预后不良     

原发胃癌中p16和p15基因表达及甲基化异常

为检测胃癌组织中抑癌基因p16,p15及其启动子区甲基化状态和P16、P15蛋白表达情况。选择p16、p15基因及启动子区域，用PCR－SSCP、MSP（甲基化特异的PCR）和测序法对100例胃癌患者的癌组织、癌旁正常组织和5例正常组织进行检测，同时用免疫组化法检测了癌组织和正常对照组织的P16和P15的表达。结果发现癌组织p16和p15基因启动子区甲基化率显著高于癌旁正常组织和正常对照；胃癌组织中，71％的病例P16表达阴性，54％的病例具有p16基因启动子区的高甲基化，无突变和纯合缺失检出；11％的病例P15表达阴性，9％的病例具有p15基因启动子区的高甲基化，p15异常与低分化胃癌有关，p15基因内含子1和外显子1内各发现1例DNA序列改变；癌组织中p16和p15基因启动子区甲基化与其蛋白表达密切相关。结果显示p16基因启动子区域高甲基化是胃癌中p16基因失活的关键因素之一，并在胃癌的发生发展中发挥重要作用；p15基因启动子区域高甲基化在胃癌中起一定作用。     

乳腺癌中p16INK4a和视网膜母细胞瘤基因甲基化状况及其表达

目的 研究乳腺癌及癌旁增生组织中p16INK4a和视网膜母细胞瘤(RB)基因启动子区域的甲基化状况,并探讨基因异常甲基化与蛋白表达及其临床意义.方法 采用甲基化特异性PCR方法 对46例乳腺癌、22例癌旁增生组织及7例正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a和RB基因启动子区域甲基化状况进行检测,并采用免疫组织化学SP法对p16INK4a蛋白表达情况进行相应检测.结果 乳腺癌、癌旁增生组织和正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a基因的甲基化率分别为23.9%(11/46)、18.2%(4/22)、1/7;RB基因的甲基化率分别为10.8%(5/46)、9.1%(2/22)、0(0/7);肿瘤组织、癌旁增生组织和正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a基因、RB基因甲基化率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).正常乳腺组织、癌旁增生组织、乳腺癌中p16INK4a蛋白表达阳性率分别为7/7、60.8%(28/46)和81.8%(18/22),三者之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);肿瘤组织中p16INK4a蛋白表达与肿瘤分级相关(P<0.05);肿瘤组织中p16INK4a甲基化状况与其蛋白表达、肿瘤分级、ER表达阴性具有相关性(P<0.05),与肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移、年龄均不相关;RB基因甲基化状态与肿瘤分级、肿瘤大小、ER表达及年龄均无相关性,但与淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05).结论 p16INK4a基因异常甲基化可能在乳腺癌发生过程中作用有限,但在肿瘤的演进中发挥作用;RB基因甲基化检测对于分析乳腺癌进展及预后情况可能有一定参考价值;p16INK4a基因甲基化是p16INK4a蛋白失表达的机制之一.     

乳腺癌中p16INK4a和视网膜母细胞瘤基因甲基化状况及其表达

目的 研究乳腺癌及癌旁增生组织中p16INK4a和视网膜母细胞瘤(RB)基因启动子区域的甲基化状况,并探讨基因异常甲基化与蛋白表达及其临床意义.方法 采用甲基化特异性PCR方法 对46例乳腺癌、22例癌旁增生组织及7例正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a和RB基因启动子区域甲基化状况进行检测,并采用免疫组织化学SP法对p16INK4a蛋白表达情况进行相应检测.结果 乳腺癌、癌旁增生组织和正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a基因的甲基化率分别为23.9%(11/46)、18.2%(4/22)、1/7;RB基因的甲基化率分别为10.8%(5/46)、9.1%(2/22)、0(0/7);肿瘤组织、癌旁增生组织和正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a基因、RB基因甲基化率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).正常乳腺组织、癌旁增生组织、乳腺癌中p16INK4a蛋白表达阳性率分别为7/7、60.8%(28/46)和81.8%(18/22),三者之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);肿瘤组织中p16INK4a蛋白表达与肿瘤分级相关(P<0.05);肿瘤组织中p16INK4a甲基化状况与其蛋白表达、肿瘤分级、ER表达阴性具有相关性(P<0.05),与肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移、年龄均不相关;RB基因甲基化状态与肿瘤分级、肿瘤大小、ER表达及年龄均无相关性,但与淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05).结论 p16INK4a基因异常甲基化可能在乳腺癌发生过程中作用有限,但在肿瘤的演进中发挥作用;RB基因甲基化检测对于分析乳腺癌进展及预后情况可能有一定参考价值;p16INK4a基因甲基化是p16INK4a蛋白失表达的机制之一.     

乳腺癌中p16INK4a和视网膜母细胞瘤基因甲基化状况及其表达

目的 研究乳腺癌及癌旁增生组织中p16INK4a和视网膜母细胞瘤(RB)基因启动子区域的甲基化状况,并探讨基因异常甲基化与蛋白表达及其临床意义.方法 采用甲基化特异性PCR方法 对46例乳腺癌、22例癌旁增生组织及7例正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a和RB基因启动子区域甲基化状况进行检测,并采用免疫组织化学SP法对p16INK4a蛋白表达情况进行相应检测.结果 乳腺癌、癌旁增生组织和正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a基因的甲基化率分别为23.9%(11/46)、18.2%(4/22)、1/7;RB基因的甲基化率分别为10.8%(5/46)、9.1%(2/22)、0(0/7);肿瘤组织、癌旁增生组织和正常乳腺组织中p16INK4a基因、RB基因甲基化率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).正常乳腺组织、癌旁增生组织、乳腺癌中p16INK4a蛋白表达阳性率分别为7/7、60.8%(28/46)和81.8%(18/22),三者之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);肿瘤组织中p16INK4a蛋白表达与肿瘤分级相关(P<0.05);肿瘤组织中p16INK4a甲基化状况与其蛋白表达、肿瘤分级、ER表达阴性具有相关性(P<0.05),与肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移、年龄均不相关;RB基因甲基化状态与肿瘤分级、肿瘤大小、ER表达及年龄均无相关性,但与淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05).结论 p16INK4a基因异常甲基化可能在乳腺癌发生过程中作用有限,但在肿瘤的演进中发挥作用;RB基因甲基化检测对于分析乳腺癌进展及预后情况可能有一定参考价值;p16INK4a基因甲基化是p16INK4a蛋白失表达的机制之一.     

膀胱移行细胞癌细胞周期调节相关基因表达与肿瘤生物学行为的关系

目的：探讨细胞周期调节相关基因p16INK4,p21WAF／CIP1,p53mlt在膀胱移行细胞癌中的表达与肿瘤增殖能力,病理分级及临床分期的关系。方法：应用免疫组织化学技术分析77例膀胱移行细胞癌组织p16INK4,p21WAF/CIP1,p53mlt基因的表达和增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）表达情况,并与病理分级及临床分期之间进行综合分析。结果：p16INK4,p21WAF/CIP1,p53mlt在膀胱移行细胞癌中的表达及PCNA增殖指数与肿瘤的病理分级有关,与临床分期无关。p16,p21,p53阳性组与阴性组分别比较,其PCNA增殖数之间有差异性。多因素分析发现,p16INK4和p21WAF／CIP1阴性及p53mlt阳性组的PCNA值明显高于p16INK4和p21WAF／CIP1阳性及p53mlt阳性组,两者比较不同病理分级的阳性表达构成比亦有显著性差异。结论:联合检测p16INK4,p21WAF/CIP1,p53mlt基因的表达情况能充分反映膀胱移行细胞癌的增殖能力及生物学行为,对膀胱移行细胞癌患者的预后判断及治疗有指导意义。     

脑膜瘤 p16INK4a、RB基因的甲基化分析及对基因表达的影响

目的　检测脑膜瘤中发生 p16 INK4 a和 RB基因甲基化的情况及对蛋白表达的影响。方法　用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应对 5 0例脑膜瘤进行了 p16 INK4 a和 RB的甲基化分析 ;并对其中的 2 5例检测了p16 INK4 a蛋白的表达。结果　良性脑膜瘤中没有检测到甲基化 ,分别有 6例 级 ( 37.5 % )和 4例 级( 2 8.6 % )肿瘤发生至少一种基因的甲基化 ,其中有 1例不典型脑膜瘤同时发生了两种基因的甲基化。全部13例 p16 INK4 a阳性表达的肿瘤都是没有检测到甲基化者。结论　p16 INK4 a或 RB的甲基化与不典型和间变性脑膜瘤的发生发展有关 ,其机制可能是甲基化使蛋白表达丢失并导致 p16 INK4 a/细胞周期蛋白 D1/ CDK4 /RB途径功能障碍     

食管癌中p53、p21、p16、cyclinD1、CDK4免疫组化检测

目的探讨p53、p21、p16、cyclinD1、CDK4蛋白在食管癌发生中的意义及其相互间的作用.方法采用LSAB免疫组化染色法,对43例食管癌手术标本的p53、p21、p16、cyclinD1、CDK4蛋白进行标记.结果在鳞癌组织中5种抗体的阳性物质存在于细胞核中和/或胞浆中,在正常鳞状上皮主要存在于核中,且从正常鳞状上皮→癌旁不典型增生→鳞癌组织,p53的阳性表达逐渐上升,p21的阳性表达却随之下降;cyclinD1、CDK4的阳性率则随p21的下降而呈上升趋势;另外,p16的阳性率逐渐下降;同样cyclinD1、CDK4的阳性率则随p16的下降而逐渐上升.统计学处理,正常上皮与癌组织之间五种抗体的阳性率有显著差异性(P<0.05);同时,随着癌分化程度下降, p53、p21、p16的阳性率在Ⅱ级与Ⅰ级鳞癌之间差异有显著性(P<0.05);但未检出cyclinD1、CDK4cyclinD1、CDK4与癌分化的关系.结论 p53、p21、p16、cyclinD1、CDK4cyclinD1、CDK4蛋白表达的变化是食管癌发生中的早期事件,其分别构成的调节通路障碍可能参与了食管鳞癌的发生.     

食管鳞癌和反流性食管炎中p16和hMLH1基因甲基化的探讨

目的 探讨食管下段鳞癌和反流性食管炎组织中p16基因和hMLH1基因启动子区的甲基化状况,及与其临床病理特征之间的关系.方法 根据胃镜检查及病理学检查确诊正常食管上皮标本12例,食管下段鳞癌13例,反流性食管炎64例(其中基底细胞增生43例、不典型增生21例).提取各个组织的基因组DNA,用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应法检测p16基因启动子区的甲基化状态;用亚硫酸氢钠-酶切法检测hMLH1基因启动子区的甲基化状态.用免疫组织化学SP法检测蛋白表达情况.结果 正常食管上皮、反流性食管炎中的基底细胞增生和不典型增生,以及食管下段鳞癌组织中p16基因启动子区甲基化率分别为:0/12、14.0%(6/43)、38.1%(8/21)、6/13;并且p16基因启动子区甲基化率随食管病变程度的进展呈逐渐升高趋势;p16蛋白在正常食管上皮组织中均正常表达,基底细胞增生、不典型增生和食管下段鳞癌组织中的阴性表达率分别为:25.6%(11/43)、76.2%(16/21)、11/13;在正常食管上皮和反流性食管炎组织里均未检测出hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化;在食管下段鳞癌组织中1例检测hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化.p16基因启动子区甲基化与蛋白阴性表达密切相关(P＜0.01),而hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化与蛋白表达无显著相关性(P=0.590).结论 p16基因动子区甲基化可能是食管下段鳞癌发生的早期分子事件之一;反流性食管炎的基底细胞增生可能与食管下段鳞癌相关;hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化可能不直接参与食管下段鳞癌的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To study the promoter methylation pattern of p16 and hMLH1 genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and reflux esophagitis, and to correlate the results with clinical and pathologic findings. Methods Twelve cases of normal esophagus, 13 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 43 cases of reflux esophagitis with basal cell hyperplasia and 21 cases of reflux esophagitis with dysplasia, as confirmed by endoscopic and pathologic examination, were enrolled into the study. Genomic DNA was extracted. The promoter methylation status of p16 was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The promoter methylation status of hMLH1 was measured by sodium bisulfite-restriction enzyme digestion. Immunohistochemical study for p16 and hMLH1 proteins was also carried out. Results The rates of p16 methylation in normal esophageal epithelium, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were 0/12, 14.0% (6/43), 38.1% (8/21) and 6/13, respectively.The p16 methylation correlated with the progress of esophageal lesions. On the other hand, the hMLH1 methylation was not observed in the normal esophageal epithelium and reflux esophagitis. One case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma showed the presence of hMLH1 methylation. The hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation did not correlate with the clinical and pathologic features. Conclusions The p16 methylation may be one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and is also observed in reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis may be related to the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese population. In contrast, hMLH1 methylation may not be directly involved in the tumorigenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Evaluation of p16INK4a and pRb expression in cervical squamous and glandular neoplasia

p16(INK4a) is known to play a critical role as a negative regulator of cell cycle progression and differentiation by controlling the activity of the tumor-suppressor protein pRb. The present study evaluated the expression of p16(INK4a) and pRb in cervical squamous and glandular neoplasia. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for p16(INK4a) and pRb in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the uterine cervix using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. p16(INK4a) staining was detected in 7 of 108 sections (6.5%) of normal squamous mucosa, in scattered ciliated columnar cells in 33 of 88 sections (37.5%) of normal endocervical glands, in 9 of 30 sections (30%) with Nabothian cysts, and in 4 of 4 areas (100%) of tubal metaplasia. In contrast, strong p16(INK4a) staining was found in 13 of 18 cases (72.2%) of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I and in all cases of CIN II/III (n = 46), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 18), endocervical glandular dysplasia (n = 10), adenocarcinoma in situ (n = 23), and invasive adenocarcinoma (n = 12). pRb expression was detected in each diagnostic category; however, the proportion of pRb-positive cells was relatively decreased in high-grade premalignant and malignant lesions of the squamous and endocervical mucosa and showed a generally inverse correlation with the expression of p16(INK4a) at the tissue level. These findings confirm a correlation between the expression of p16(INK4a) and pRb in cervical neoplasias and indicate that p16(INK4a) is a specific marker for premalignant and malignant lesions of the squamous and endocervical mucosa.     

Methylation of CpG islands of p16(INK4a) and cyclinD1 overexpression associated with progression of intraductal proliferative lesions of the breast

P16(INK4a) is a tumor suppressor gene frequently inactivated by aberrant promoter hypermethylation. In this study, p16(INK4a) methylation was evaluated in intraductal proliferative lesions of the breast, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MethyLight) and methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was performed to compare and validate the methylation analysis. P16(INK4a) methylation associated with oncogene cyclinD1 expression, detected through the use of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, was likewise characterized. P16(INK4a) methylation displayed varying significance among different types of intraductal proliferative lesions. Both the positive rate and the median quantitative methylation value increased with the evolution of intraductal proliferative lesions through the use of quantitative and qualitative assays. P16(INK4a) methylation was positively correlated to cyclinD1 overexpression. This study demonstrated that p16(INK4a) methylation served as the silencing mechanism of p16(INK4a) protein expression and played a crucial role in the intraductal proliferative lesions' progression. In the differential diagnosis of intraductal proliferative lesions, quantitative DNA methylation analysis of p16(INK4a) by MethyLight may be used as a surrogate, especially to distinguish atypical ductal hyperplasia from usual ductal hyperplasia and low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ. Furthermore, this study discovered that flat epithelial atypia do not share similar molecular profiles of p16(INK4a) epigenetic modification with atypical ductal hyperplasia and low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ.     

Epigenetic alteration of p16INK4a gene in dedifferentiation of liposarcoma

The atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT)/well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) is a locally aggressive subtype of liposarcoma unless dedifferentiation occurs. The mechanism driving this progression is not clear. Loss of p16 is believed to be an early and critical event in tumor progression. Gene silencing by methylation of p16INK4a gene promoter has been reported in several soft tissue sarcomas. The aim of this study is to study the role of p16INK4a gene promoter methylation and p16 expression in tumor progression (dedifferentiation) and recurrence of ALT/WDLPS. Four cases of dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPS) and three cases of recurrent well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPS) were collected, and methylation status of p16INK4a gene promoter was analyzed using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) on DNA extracted from paraffin blocks. p16 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry on the same blocks. Methylation of p16INK4a gene promoter was seen in the dedifferentiated (DD) components only, in two out of four (2/4, 50%) DDLPS. The other two DDLPS and three recurrent WDLPS were not methylated. Both WD and DD components in all four DDLPS cases showed strong nuclear p16 expression. All three recurrent WDLPS showed positive p16 expression with similar intensity between primary and recurrent tumors. Even though linear correlation between p16 promoter hypermethylation and p16 protein expression was not present, there appears to be a role for p16INK4a gene promoter hypermethylation in DDLPS and not in recurrent WDLPS.     

The p16 (CDKN2a/INK4a) tumor-suppressor gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a promoter methylation and protein expression study in 100 cases.

The p16 (CDKN2a/INK4a) gene is an important tumor-suppressor gene, involved in the p16/cyclin-dependent kinase/retinoblastoma gene pathway of cell cycle control. The p16 protein is considered to be a negative regulator of the pathway. The gene encodes an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6, which regulate the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma gene and the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle. In the present study, p16 gene promoter hypermethylation patterns and p16 protein expression were analyzed in 100 consecutive untreated cases of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by methylation-specific PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The p16 promoter hypermethylation and apparent loss of p16 protein expression were detected in 27% and 74% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. By chi(2) test, history of alcohol or tobacco use was significantly correlated with the loss of p16 protein expression (P =.005 and.05, respectively). When patient follow-up data were correlated with various clinical and molecular parameters, tumor size and nodal and clinical stage were the strongest prognostic predictors for disease-free survival (tumor recurrence) and for cause-specific and overall survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Neither p16 promoter hypermethylation nor apparent loss of p16 protein expression appears to be an independent prognostic factor, although loss of p16 protein may be used to predict overall patient survival in early-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.     

Mechanisms of inactivation of the p16INK4a gene in leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue: decreased p16 expression correlates with promoter methylation and poor prognosis

The p16INK4a tumour suppressor gene, encoding p16 protein, plays a crucial role in regulation of the G1 cell-cycle phase. To investigate the potential role of p16 in soft tissue leiomyosarcoma (LMS), an immunohistochemical analysis was performed of 77 LMSs for p16 expression. Decreased expression of the p16 protein was identified in 25 of 77 LMSs (32%). Decreased expression of p16 correlated significantly with large tumour size (p=0.0038). In a univariate analysis, large tumour size and decreased expression of p16 were statistically significant adverse prognostic factors (p=0.025 and p=0.0021, respectively). In a multivariate analysis including conventional clinicopathological parameters, decreased expression of p16 protein was revealed as the only independent unfavourable prognostic factor (p=0.012). To elucidate the mechanisms of inactivation of the p16INK4a gene, 49 LMSs for which genomic DNA was available were examined; analysis for homozygous deletion, mutation, and promoter hypermethylation was conducted using differential PCR, PCR-SSCP, and methylation-specific PCR, respectively. Promoter hypermethylation was detected in 11 of 49 LMS cases (22%); homozygous deletion was detected in 3 of 49 cases (6%); and mutation was not recognized in any of the cases studied. Eight of 15 cases (53%) with decreased expression of p16 protein revealed methylation of the p16INK4a gene promoter. Promoter hypermethylation correlated closely with decreased expression and poor prognosis (p=0.0014 and p=0.0088, respectively). These results suggest that decreased expression of p16 protein can be considered as an independent reliable prognostic parameter in patients with soft tissue LMS. Furthermore, promoter methylation was more frequent than either homozygous deletion or mutation in this tumour, and promoter methylation was also shown to have a strong association with inactivation of the p16INK4a gene.     

Human papillomavirus genotyping by oligonucleotide microarray and p16 expression in uterine cervical intraepithelial neoplasm and in invasive carcinoma in Korean women

For evaluating the diagnostic significance of p16(INK4A) over-expression in the uterine cervical intraepithelial neoplasm and in invasive carcinoma, human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected and genotyped by oligonucleotide microarray in archival tissues of 117 cervical specimens, including 47 invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 30 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 20 adenocarcinomas, and 20 cases of non-neoplastic cervix. The expression of p16(INK4A) protein was immunohistochemically studied in these cases and in five HPV-positive and one HPV-negative cervical cancer cell lines. HPV was detected in 50% of CIN, 61.7% of SCC, and 45.5% of adenocarcinomas. p16(INK4A) expression was seen in all 20 cases of adenocarcinoma, 78.7% (37/47) of SCC, and 96.7% (29/30) of CIN, but not in any cases of the non-neoplastic cervix. There was no difference in p16(INK4A) expression between the HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical lesions. All HPV-positive and -negative cervical cancer cell lines expressed p16(INK4A) protein. In conclusion, the presence of p16(INK4A) expression in cervical squamous and glandular epithelium indicates the existence of dysplasia or malignancy in the uterine cervix, regardless of HPV infection.     

Distinct promoter hypermethylation of p16INK4a,CDH1, and RAR-beta in intestinal,diffuse-adherent,and diffuse-scattered type gastric carcinomas

Hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoters is associated with silencing of various tumour suppressor genes. Recent studies of colorectal and gastric carcinomas have defined a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), which involves the targeting of multiple genes by promoter hypermethylation. In this study, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to study methylation of CpG islands in the promoters of the p16(INK4a), cadherin 1 (CDH1), and retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) genes in 45 gastric carcinomas and to investigate whether CDH1 and RAR-beta promoter hypermethylation is associated with CIMP-positive gastric carcinoma. CpG island hypermethylation of the p16(INK4a), CDH1, and RAR-beta promoters was detected in 12 (27%), 26 (58%), and 24 (53%) of the 45 gastric carcinomas, respectively. Hypermethylation of the p16(INK4a) promoter was more common in intestinal type than in diffuse type gastric carcinomas (p = 0.0023; Fisher's exact test) and was inversely associated with p53 mutations (p = 0.0225; Fisher's exact test). However, CDH1 and RAR-beta promoter hypermethylation was observed more frequently in diffuse-scattered type gastric carcinoma than in other types (intestinal and diffuse-adherent types) (p = 0.0175 and p = 0.0335, respectively; Fisher's exact test) and was not associated with p53 mutation status. Moreover, hypermethylation of the CDH1 and RAR-beta promoters occurred concordantly (p < 0.0001; Fisher's exact test). These results suggest that at least two types of promoter methylation status are involved in the development of the intestinal (p16(INK4a) promoter hypermethylation) and diffuse-scattered types (CDH1 and RAR-beta promoter hypermethylation) of gastric carcinoma.     

Hypermethylation of the CDKN2/p16INK4A promotor in thyroid carcinogenesis

Functional inactivation of the p16INK4A gene has been reported to be involved in the development of a variety of human malignancies. In thyroid carcinomas, mutations of the p16INK4A gene or homozygous deletions of the gene locus 9p21 are rare. This study investigated whether p16INK4A promotor methylation is an alternative mechanism for p16INK4A gene inactivation during thyroid carcinogenesis. A methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction protocol was applied. A total of 77 thyroid tumor specimens, including 18 follicular adenomas, 18 follicular carcinomas, 16 papillary carcinomas, 12 poorly differentiated carcinomas, and 13 undifferentiated carcinomas were analyzed longitudinally. In addition, 15 tumor-free thyroid tissues were investigated. The p16INK4A promotor status was compared with p16INK4A protein expression and patient-specific data. p16INK4A promotor hypermethylation was detected in 13% of non-tumorous tissue; in 33% of follicular adenomas; in 44% of papillary carcinomas; in 50% of follicular carcinomas; in 75% of poorly differentiated carcinomas; and in 85% of undifferentiated carcinomas. With the exception of two cases, the p16INK4A protein was lost as a result of promotor hypermethylation. Comparing the methylation status with tumor stage, no correlation was found. However, lymph node and distant metastasis status showed a statistically significant prevalence for the p16INK4A promotor methylation (p = 0.035). There was no association between p16INK4A promotor methylation and age and sex. These results suggest that hypermethylation of the p16INK4A promotor region is a frequent and an early event during thyroid carcinogenesis and is associated with tumor progression and dedifferentiation.     

p16(INK4a) promoter methylation and 9p21 allelic loss in colorectal carcinomas: relation with immunohistochemical p16(INK4a) expression and with tumor budding

In colorectal carcinomas, p16(INK4a) inactivation is known to occur by allelic loss and by promoter methylation, but mutations are rare. p16(INK4a) is up-regulated in tumor buds, and the consequent shutdown of proliferation may be a prerequisite for tumor budding. Fifty-seven colorectal carcinomas from a consecutive series were investigated. Using DNA from tissue homogenates, p16(INK4a) promoter methylation was seen in 17 of 57 tumors by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and this could be confirmed using DNA from laser-capture microdissected material in 16 of these cases. A total loss of immunohistochemical p16(INK4a) expression was seen in 6 of 17 tumors with promoter methylation. Quantification of immunohistochemical p16(INK4a) expression for the remaining 11 cases revealed statistically lower frequencies of expression as compared with cases without p16(INK4a) promoter methylation. 9p21 allelic loss was observed in 9 cases, but p16(INK4a) expression in these carcinomas was not reduced. Attempted linear regression of p16(INK4a) expression in tumor buds on the degree of tumor budding, as counted on pan-cytokeratin immunostains, did not show a correlation. p16(INK4a) promoter methylation can completely abrogate p16(INK4a) expression in colorectal carcinomas. In many cases, however, it has an appreciable but only modulatory influence on p16(INK4a) expression. Possibly, methylations are heterozygous, and/or mosaic in colorectal carcinomas and/or methylations are not totally stable but can be lost between carcinoma cell replication cycles. Up-regulation of p16(INK4a) does not seem to be a strict requirement for tumor budding, hence, the absence of a correlation.