Frequent epigenetic inactivation of RASSF10 in thyroid cancer

The Ras association domain family (RASSF) encodes for distinct tumor suppressors and several members are frequently silenced in human cancer. In our study, we analyzed the role of a novel RASSF member termed RASSF10 in thyroid carcinogenesis. The RASSF10 CpG island promoter was intensively methylated in nine thyroid cancer cell lines and in 66% of primary thyroid carcinomas. RASSF10 methylation was significantly increased in primary thyroid carcinoma compared to normal thyroid and follicular adenoma (0% and 10%, respectively; p