title: Ability of PITX2 methylation to predict survival in patients with prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to explore whether candidate gene methylation can effectively predict death from prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  After reviewing the literature to identify likely candidate genes, we assembled a case-control cohort (in a 1:2 ratio) to explore the distribution of PITX2, WNT5a, SPARC, EPB41L3, and TPM4 methylation levels. The case group comprised 45 patients with a Gleason score ≤7 who had died as a result of prostate cancer, and the control group comprised 90 current prostate cancer patients or those who died of other causes. The methylation possibility of each of the candidate genes were maximized. Univariate conditional logistic was applied for data analysis and to evaluate prediction efficiency of gene methylation on prostate cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that a raised level of PITX2 methylation increased the likelihood of death due to prostate cancer by 10% (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.17-2.08; P=0.005). Methylation of SPARC was found to be able to distinguish between benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methylation of PITX2 is an effective biomarker to predict death from prostate cancer, particularly in patients with a low Gleason score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, People's Republic of China ; Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jiu-Zhi
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu-Jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: DNA methylation; PITX2; prognostic biomarkers; prostatic cancer