P16 and p27 tumor suppressor gene methylation status in childhood Wilms tumor cases

Aim: To analyze the methylation status of the promoter regions of p16 and p27 genes in Wilms tumor patients. These tumor suppressor genes are associated with 2 main pathways regulating the G1/S transition of the cell cycle.Materials and methods: Sixteen patients with Wilms tumor were included in the study. The methylation status of CpG islands in the p16 and p27 genes was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in the tumor tissue samples obtained from all patients. Five tissue samples of normal kidney were obtained from pathology department archives.Results: P16 gene promoter methylation was detected in 2 of 16 (12.5%) patients, one of which was heterozygous and the other homozygous. P27 gene promoter methylation was also found in 2 of 16 (12.5%) patients, one of which was heterozygous and the other homozygous. No methylation status was observed in normal kidney tissues.Conclusion: Our results showed that the incidence of CpG island promoter region methylation of the p16 and p27 tumor suppressor genes in Wilms tumor was low. However, larger series are needed to determine the prognostic value of DNA methylation of p16 and p27 in Wilms tumor patients.