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Methylation‐specific PCR for detection of neoplastic DNA in biopsy washings

Epigenetic DNA alterations such as promoter hypermethylation of glutathione S‐transferase P1 (GSTP1) in prostatic adenocarcinoma frequently constitute tumour biomarkers. Neoplastic transformation was identified in washings of prostate biopsies by GSTP1 promoter hypermethylation, using methylation‐specific PCR (MSP). Twenty‐six patients undergoing sextant transrectal prostate biopsies for clinically suspected prostate cancer were enrolled. All ten patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (100%) and four of six patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (67%), but none of ten patients with benign hyperplasia (0%), exhibited GSTP1 promoter hypermethylation in at least one out of six biopsy washings. Since this approach is transferable to various cancer entities, a sensitive and specific DNA‐based analysis of biopsy material seems generally feasible without impeding routine histopathological examination. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.