Detection of SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common malignant tumor globally, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) represents the most common pathologic subtype. The DNA methylation of Short Stature Homeobox 2 (SHOX2) and Ras Association Domain Family 1 Isoform A (RASSF1A) showed the potential of diagnosing LC. With the aim of investigating the diagnostic value of SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation in early-stage LUAD, 50 lung tissue specimens from patients suffering from early-stage LUAD were analyzed, including 25 tumor tissue specimens and 25 paired non-tumor lung tissue specimens. The methylation status of SHOX2 and RASSF1A was assessed by using methylation-specific PCR. The results showed significantly elevated methylation status of SHOX2 and RASSF1A in tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. The sensitivity and specificity of SHOX2 methylation were 76.0 and 88.0%, respectively. However, the sensitivity of RASSF1A methylation was only 32.0%, with a specificity of 96.0%. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of SHOX2 and RASSF1A combined methylation were 80.0 and 84.0%, respectively. No significant correlation was observed between the methylation of SHOX2/RASSF1A and clinicopathological characteristics, regardless of sex, age, tumor differentiation degree, TNM stage, or nodal status. These findings suggest that the combined detection of SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation has a potential diagnostic value for early-stage LUAD.