Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Promoter hypermethylation of the RASSF1A gene is among the most abundant epigenetic deregulations in human cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the methylation status of RASSF1A promoter and the prognoses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The methylation status of RASSF1A promoter in 150 NSCLC and 25 non-malignant tissues was determined using a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). RESULTS: RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation was detected in 38.7% (58/150) of NSCLC tissues, but in none of the non-malignant tissues. The patients with hypermethylation of RASSF1A had a poor survival rate, and the relationship between the survival rate and hypermethylation of RASSF1A was statistically significant (P = 0.004). Then by using stepwise Cox proportional hazard regression testing, methylation status of RASSF1A was an independent factor affecting the NSCLC patients' survival (RR = 1.584, 95% CI: 1.040-2.411, P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The hypermethylation of the RASSF1A promoter may be an independent prognostic factor of NSCLC after operation.