CpG island methylation of tumor-related genes in three primary central nervous system lymphomas in immunocompetent patients

We have determined the promoter CpG island methylation status of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), death-associated protein kinase (DAPK), p14ARF, thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 gene (TIMP-3), p73, p16INK4A, RB1, and TP53 genes in three primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). Five genes (GSTP1, DAPK, TIMP-3, p16INK4A, and RB1) were hypermethylated in two samples, whereas MGMT, THBS1, and p73 were aberrantly methylated in only one sample. No case presented CpG island methylation for the p14ARF and TP53 genes. These findings concur with previous data suggesting a frequent inactivation of p16INK4A and very limited involvement of TP53 in PCNSL and also provide insights into the epigenetic molecular involvement of other tumor-related genes in this neoplasm.