By methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), a hypermethylation in the CpG island of the EMP3 promoter region has been found in 83% and 84% of WHO grades II and III astrocytomas, respectively; in 80% and 73% of WHO grades II and III oligoastrocytomas, respectively; and in 73% and 78% of WHO grades II and III oligodendroglial tumors, respectively [7]. The gene discussed is EMP3; the disease is astrocytoma (excluding glioblastoma).