ASSAY, METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR DIAGNOSING CANCER

摘要

The present invention provides a method and single-tube assay for identification and quantitative analysis of differentially methylated MLH1 promoter sequences that are associated with certain types of cancer in an individual by obtaining a biological sample comprising DNA from the individual, detecting the presence of and measuring the level of methylated MLH1 promoter sequences, and comparing the presence of and level of methylation in the sample to a normalization reference of "normal" beta-actin gene promoters, wherein a difference in the level or pattern of MLH1 methylation of the sample compared to the Actin gene reference level identifies abnormally methylated MLH1 promoter sequences associated with cancer.