DNA methylation in anal intraepithelial lesions and anal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Anal intraepithelial neoplasia is associated with human papillomavirus infection and may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is increasing in immunocompromised patients. We hypothesize that anal intraepithelial neoplasia is associated with abnormal DNA methylation and that detection of these events may be used to improve screening programs.

Experimental Design: Seventy-six patients were identified who underwent anal cytology screening and subsequent biopsy at our institution between 1999 and 2004.

DNA methylation profiling of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions using liquid-based cytology specimens: an approach that utilizes receiver-operating characteristic analysis.

Background: Cervical carcinoma is a common malignancy among women worldwide, and its pathogenesis is related causally to human papillomavirus infection. The progression from precursor squamous intraepithelial lesions to cervical carcinoma requires additional genetic and epigenetic alterations that have not been characterized fully. The authors examined aberrant promoter methylation of multiple tumor suppressor genes in precursor squamous intraepithelial lesions.