Abstract:

Objective To determine the status of promoter methylation of RUNX3 gene in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance. Methods Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was employed to detect the status of promoter methylation of RUNX3 gene in 50 samples of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC group), 50 samples of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN group), and 10 samples of normal cervical tissues (control group). The relationship between promoter methylation of RUNX3 gene and clinicopathological characteristics of cervical squamous cell carcinoma was explored. Results Promoter methylation of RUNX3 gene was found in 27 cases (54%) in CSCC group and 17 cases (34%) in CIN group, while none was observed in control group. There were significant differences in the incidences of promoter methylation of RUNX3 gene among three groups (χ²=11.500, P<0.005), and there were significant differences in the incidences of promoter methylation of RUNX3 gene among CINⅠ group, CINⅡ group and CINⅢ group （χ²=9.655, P<0.05）. The promoter methylation of RUNX3 had a significant correlation with differentiation of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and lymph node metastasis (r=-0.367, P=0.017；r=0.288,P=0.042). Conclusion RUNX3 may function as a tumor suppressor gene in the oncogenesis of CSCC and may serve as a biological indicator of prognosis.

Key words: cervical squamous cell carcinoma, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, RUNX3 gene, methylation