Implication of methylation of the short stature homeobox gene 2 and runt related transcription factor-3 genes in pathogenesis of lung cancer

Objective To investigate the significance of the methylation of the short stature homeobox gene 2 (SHOX2) and runt related transcription factor-3 (Runx3) genes in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Guangxi. Methods Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was used to detect the methylation rate of SHOX2 and Runx3 gene promoter regions in 70 cases of cancer tissues, 60 cases of normal tissues adjacent to cancer and 30 cases non-lung cancer tissues. Results 70 cases of lung cancer group, 60 cases of normal tissue adjacent to carcinoma, 30 cases of benign lung cancer resection tissues SHOX2 gene promoter region methylation detection rate was 68.57% (48/70), 8.33% (5/60), 6.67% (2/30), the three genes methylation detection rate comparison, difference was statistically significant (χ2=64.530, P=0.000). RUNX3 gene promoter region methylation detection rate 62.86% (44/70), 5.00% (3/60), 3.33% (1/29), the three genes methylation detection rate comparison, difference was statistically significant (χ2=63.350, P=0.000). SHOX2 gene promoter region methylation and patients with differentiation (χ2=8.672, P=0.003), lymph node metastasis related obviously (χ2= 6.481, P=0.011). RUNX3 gene promoter methylation and patients pathologic classification (χ2=4.749, P=0.029) and clinical stage (χ2=7.035, P=0.008), degree of differentiation (χ2=9.341, P=0.002), lymph node metastasis related obviously (χ2=5.240, P=0.022). Conclusion The promoter methylation of SHOX2 and Runx3 genes is associated with NSCLC. Key words: Lung cancer; The short stature homeobox gene 2 gene; Runt related transcription factor-3 gene; Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction; Gene methylation