RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Biallelic Inactivation of hMLHl by Hypermethylation and Loss of Heterozygosity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer JF Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology JO Cancer Biol Med FD China Anti-Cancer Association SP 162 OP 165 VO 3 IS 3 A1 Geng, Xin A1 Wang, Dong A1 Zhu, Guoping A1 Zhang, Liang A1 Zhang, Weiming YR 2006 UL http://www.cancerbiomed.org/content/3/3/162.abstract AB OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of hMLHl deregulation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).METHODS A genetic and epigenetic study of the hMLHl gene was performed using surgical primary tumors from 40 NSCLC patients and their corresponding noncancerous tissues. The molecular alterations examined included promoter méthylation by Hpa II/Msp I-based PCR analysis, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) by D3S1621 locus PCR-electrophore sis-silver staining, as well as the loss of protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis.RESULTS The frequencies of hypermthylation, LOH and loss of protein expression of hMLHl were 67.5% (27/40), 65% (26/40) and 72.5% (29/ 40), respectively. Among 26 hMLHl gene LOH (+) cases, 21 (80.8%) showed hypermthylation, which was significantly higher than the group of LOH (-). The frequency of the double inactivation of the hMLHl gene by hypermthylation and LOH related to a loss of protein expression of 72.4% (21/29).CONCLUSION Biallelic inactivation of the hMLHl gene by hypermthylation and LOH most likely will cause loss of hMLHl protein expression and play an Important role in the development of NSCLC. Therefore, controlling and monitoring for hypermthylation of the hMLHl gene may be partially useful for treatment and early diagnosis of NSCLC