Significance of MUC2 gene methylation detection in pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to explore the diagnostic value of MUC2 gene methylation in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Methylation restriction enzyme digestion (Msp I/Hap II) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to detect methylation of the MUC2 gene in fecal and blood specimens from seven study subjects with pancreatic cancer (PC), chronic pancreatitis (CP), or normal controls (CON). Simultaneously, blood CA 19-9 levels were detected as a positive indicator of PC. RESULTS: MUC2 methylation was detected in 50% of PC cell lines. In fecal samples, the MUC2 methylation rate in PC (n = 30) was 43.3%, which was significantly higher than those in CP (n = 8, 0%, P < 0.05) and CON (n = 20, 5.0%, P < 0.05). In blood samples, the MUC2 methylation rate in PC (n = 40) was 52.5%, which was significantly higher than those in CP (n = 15, 0%, P < 0.01) and CON (n = 25, 4.0%, P < 0.01). For PC diagnosis, MUC2 gene methylation in blood samples showed higher specificity and positive predictive value than CA 19-9. The combined detection in the feces and blood showed a 60% MUC2 methylation rate in PC (n = 10), which was higher than those in the CP (n = 5, 0%, P < 0.01) and CON (n = 12, 0%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study can clearly indicate that combined detection of MUC2 gene methylation in the peripheral blood and feces could be used as a new screening and early diagnosis method for pancreatic cancer.