Detection of Aberrant p16INK4A Methylation in Sera of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science 2004, 19(1), , pp.83-86
• Main Authors: Chu Hyung Jun, Heo Jeong, Seo Soo Boon, Kim Gwang Ha, Kang Dae Hwan, Song Geun Am, Cho Mong, Yang Ung Suk
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• Subjects: 의학일반
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) show genomic alterations, including DNA rear-rangements associated with HBV DNA integration, loss of heterozygosity, and chromosomal amplification. The genes most frequently involved are those encod-ing tumor suppressors. The p16 INK4A tumor suppressor gene frequently displays genetic alteration in HCC tissues. The present study was performed to examine the incidence of methylated p16 INK4A in the sera of liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC patients, and to evaluate its role as a tumor marker of HCC. The sera of 23 LC patients and 46 HCC patients were examined in this study. The methylation status of p16 INK4A was evaluated by methylation-specific PCR of serum samples. Methy-lated p16 INK4A was detected in 17.4% (4/23) of LC patients and in 47.8% (22/46) of HCC patients. No association was demonstrated between p16 INK4A methylation and serum AFP level. As the status of p16 INK4A methylation was not associated with serum AFP level, it may have a role as a tumor marker of HCC. KCI Citation Count: 14