As the methylation of the calcitonin gene correlates with the disease activity in chronic myeloid leukemia, it seemed worthwhile to study the gene methylation in other premalignant hematologic conditions with a potential to terminate in fulminant acute leukemia.
Laboratory markers can also identify a precursor state for cancer, eg, elevated calcitonin levels in patients with familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and premalignant thyroid C-cell hyperplasia.