Objective: To analyse the DNA methylation status and the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the D17S5 locus (17p13.3) in urothelial cancer.
Materials and methods: DNA methylation was assayed and LOH analysed by Southern blotting in a series of 33 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder and renal pelvis.
Results: DNA hypermethylation and LOH at the D17S5 locus were detected in six (18%) and 17 (52%) of the tumours, respectively. The six cases with DNA hypermethylation were of the papillary type, and four also had LOH at this locus.
Conclusion: In contrast to other epithelial tumours, DNA hypermethylation at the D17S5 locus is not a frequent event in human urothelial cancer.