Aims CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) involves the targeting of multiple genes by promoter hypermethylation, and the cell-cycle regulatory proteins often change in human neoplasms. To gain insight into the role of epigenetic aberration of cell-cycle regulator genes in oesophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the authors determined the hypermethylation profile in ESCC.

Methods The promoter methylation status of nine cell-cycle regulator genes was examined in 50 ESCC, 50 dysplastic tissues and 50 normal epithelial tissues by methylation-specific PCR.

Results The frequency of promoter methylation was 52% for p14, 44% for p15, 50% for p16, 56% for p21, 38% for p27, 8% for p53, 42% for p57, 36% for p73, and 44% for RB1 of 50 ESCC. CIMP+ was detected in 54% (27/50) of ESCC and 8% (4/50) of dysplastic tissues; no CIMP+ was present in normal epithelial tissues (p<0.001). The results show that promoter methylation of p14, p15, p16, p21, p27, p57 and p73 was far more common in ESCC samples with CIMP+ than those with CIMP−. A significant difference between CIMP status and TNM stage and metastasis was found in ESCC (p<0.05). Patients with ESCC with CIMP+ had poorer 4-year survival than those with CIMP−.

Conclusions The results suggest that CIMP of a subset of cell-cycle regulatory genes has an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of ESCC.