Prognostic Significance of Hypermethylation and Expression of p16, p21, and p53 Genes in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounts for approximately 30—40% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Significant molecular prognostic markers of DLBCL are not well known. In this study, hypermethylation of p16, p21 and p53 gene and protein expression of p16, p21, and p53 in DLBCL were investigated with 91 paraffin blocks. Hypermethylation of p16 gene was more common than hypermethylation of p21 or p53 in DLBCL. Hypermethylation of p21 gene was highly related to recurrence and reduced expression of p21 protein showed a strong tendency of poor survival. For an individual patient with DLBCL, if the tumor shows hypermethylation of p21 gene, it may make to predict the increased risk of recurrence. If the tumor shows reduced p16 expression, and/or methylation of p53 gene, it is important to consider that this markers are related to higher international prognostic index, which help to predict outcome of patients.