[Methylation of p16 gene with pathogenesis of lymphocytic and plasmacytic malignancies]

Methylation of CpG islands in the promoters induces gene silencing. The multiple tumor suppressor gene P16, located at chromosome 9p21, regulating normal proliferation of cells with a functional unit constituting of p16, cyclin D1 and pRb together. Methylation of P16 gene has been detected in several lymphocytic and plasmacytic malignancies such as lymphoma, acute lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma and shows relationships with the pathogenesis of these diseases. Application of demethylation agents or arsenical to refresh the gene functions will be expected to be a new treatment for hemopoietic malignancies. In this article, methylation mechanism of P16 gene and relationship of P16 gene methylation with lymphocytic and plasmacytic malignancies, such as lymphoma, acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma were reviewed.