Detection of promoter methylation of RASSF1A and FHIT genes in patients with lung cancer

Aim: To investigate the relationship between promoter methylation status of cancer suppressor genes fragile histidine triad (FHIT)and ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) in peripheral blood and the development of lung cancer. Methods:The blood samples of 200 lung cancer patients and 200 normal controls were collected to determine the methylation levels of RASSF1A and FHIT using real-time PCR. Results: For both genes, there were significant differences in the methylation levels between lung cancer patients and controls (RASSF1A: Z=2.075,P=0.038;FHIT: Z=3.044,P=0.002). There were no associations between gender,age, smoking history, histological type,or clinical stage with RASSF1A and FHIT gene promoter methylation in the lung cancer group.The risk of lung cancer increased with the increased of methylation levels of RASSF1A and FHIT genes[RASSF1A:β=0.235,OR(95%CI)=1.551(1.023-2.353);FHIT:β=0.091,OR(95%CI)=1.763(1.116-2.671)]. [WTFZ]Conclusion[WTBZ]: The aberrant promoter methylation of RASSF1A and FHIT is related to lung cancer.To detect RASSF1A and FHIT gene aberrant promoter methylation levels may contribute to early warning of lung cancer and the prediction of lung cancer risk.