[Value of detecting p16 gene methylation in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion].

Objective: To investigate aberrant methylation in the promoter of p16 gene in the sediment cells of pleural effusion and evaluate its clinical significance in the differentiating benign and malignant pleural effusion.

Methods: Using methylation-specific PCR (MSP), aberrant promoter methylation of p16 gene was detected in the sedimental cells of pleural effusion samples from 66 patients with pleural effusion.

Results: Of the 66 patients with pleural effusion, 36 had a definite diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, and the rest were confirmed to have benign pleural effusion.