In conclusion, our meta-analysis shows that the p16 expression status is an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC, and this tendency is also found in the subgroups of squamous cell lung cancer and early stage NSCLC (I-II), but not in lung adenocarcinoma.
Chromosome 9 instability and alterations of p16 gene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and in adjacent normal bronchi: FISH and immunohistochemical study.
Expression of the p16(INK4a) gene product, methylation of the p16(INK4a) promoter region and expression of the polycomb-group gene BMI-1 in squamous cell lung carcinoma and premalignant endobronchial lesions.
The FHIT methylation is associated with the p16 methylation and smoking in squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting that FHIT may cooperate with p16 for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of lung in individuals exposed to tobacco smoke.
By increasing the sensitivity of a PCR approach to detect methylated DNA sequences, we now demonstrate that aberrant methylation of the p16 and/or O6-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase promoters can be detected in DNA from sputum in 100% of patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma up to 3 years before clinical diagnosis.