SHOX2 and lung carcinoma: Recently, the methylation of the SHOX2 gene (mSHOX2) has been described as a novel and powerful marker for an early detection of patients with lung cancer based on the analysis of bronchial aspirates and plasma [15] [16] [17], the evaluation of paramalignant and malignant pleural effusions [18], the examination of needle aspirates for lung cancer staging [19] and as a predictor for outcome in NSCLC patients [20].