Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 42/144 patients, and promoter hypermethylation of GSTP1 gene was detected in 31/42 of prostate cancer (sensitivity=74%) and in 2/102 of negative specimens (specificity=98%). A significant association between GSTP1 promoter hypermethylation both with a Gleason score>or=7 (Fisher's exact P=0.01) and the presence of Gleason grade 4 and/or grade 5 (Fisher's exact P=0.03) was found.