Detection of SHOX2 and <i>RASSF1A</i> 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.