Objective To study methylation of the hMLH1 promoter and its correlation with esophageal carcinoma.
Methods Methylation of the hMLH1 promoter was examined by Methylation Specific PCR(MSP)in 92 esophageal carcinomas and the expression patterns of hMLH1 gene was detected by immuno histo chemistry method using multiclonal antibody to hMLH1 pro tein.
Results The incidence of the hMLH1 promoter methylation was 32.6% (30/92).Methylation did not correlate with clinicopathological characteristics of esophageal carcinoma.17 of 22(77.6%)hMLH1 protein negative tumors exhibited pro minent methylation, compared with 13 of 70(18.6%)tumors with positive expression of hMLH1 protein.
Conclusion hMLH1 methylation was associated with the absence of hMLH1 expression and might be the underlying cause of mismatch repair gene defects in esophageal carcinoma.Promoter methylation of the hMLH1 involved in tumorigenic process of esophageal carcinoma.
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