Methylation analysis of several tumour suppressor genes shows a low frequency of methylation of CDKN2A and RARB in uveal melanomas
2003

Methylation Analysis of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Uveal Melanomas

Sample size: 40 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Michael Zeschnigk, Frank Tschentscher, Christina Lich, Birgit Brandt, Bernhard Horsthemke, Dietmar R. Lohmann

Primary Institution: Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen

Hypothesis

Do tumor suppressor genes show methylation in uveal melanoma?

Conclusion

Methylation of the tumor suppressor genes CDKN2A and RARB was found in a small percentage of uveal melanoma cases.

Supporting Evidence

  • Nine out of 40 tumors showed aberrant methylation.
  • Three tumors had methylated RARB alleles.
  • Three tumors had methylated CDKN2A alleles.
  • Altered methylation was less frequent in tumors with monosomy 3.

Takeaway

The study looked at how often certain genes are turned off in eye cancer, and found that only a few had changes that could be linked to the cancer.

Methodology

Methylation status of tumor suppressor genes was analyzed using bisulphite genomic sequencing and methylation-specific PCR.

Limitations

The study only analyzed a limited number of genes and may not represent all potential tumor suppressor genes involved in uveal melanoma.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1002/cfg.295

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