METHYLATION OF p16 AND p15 GENES IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Objective.To investigate the frequency of p16a nd p15gene methylation in multiple myeloma (MM),and its relationship with bone marrow ce ll apoptosis and clinical outcome.Methods.Twenty-two patients with MM were stu died to detect p16and p15gene methylation.Methyla-tion-specific polymerase chain rea ction(MSP)was used to detect gene methylation,and terminal trans-ferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL)was used to detect cell apoptosis.Results.p16and /or p15gene methylatoin was d etected in 10of 22patients(45.4%).There were 3pa-tients with p16gene methylation,9p atients with p15gene methylation,a nd 2patients with both genes methyla-tion.The incidence of methylation o f p15gene was higher than that of p16g ene(P<0.05).The patients with p16and /or p15gene methylation had a delayed cell apoptosis,poor respon se to chemotherapy,and a short over-all survival(OS).Conclusion.The methylation of p16and /or p15gen e plays a key role in MM apoptosis path ogenesis.The patients with both p16and p15gene me thylation had a poor prognosis.