Molecular Detection of Prostate Cancer by Methylation-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction from Urine Specimens

Summary Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second most prevalent malignancy among males, which is characterized by a high mortality rate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the methylation status of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) in urine specimens from males with PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its usefulness in distinguishing between males with PCa and BPH by noninvasive methods. Methods: Voided urine specimens were collected from 65 patients with PCa and 45 patients with BPH. Genomic DNA was isolated and subjected to bisulfite modification. Methylation status of the GSTP1 gene was determined by conventional methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) analysis. Results: Promoter hypermethylation of the GSTP1 gene in voided urine samples was found in 63 of 65 (97%) males with PCa and in 5 of 45 (11%) males with BPH. The sensitivity and specificity of GSTP1 in discriminating between PCa and BPH males were 98% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions: Gene analysis of GSTP1 using conventional MSP in urine specimens can be used as a noninvasive biomarker to distinguish between men with malignant and benign prostatic diseases.