The role of p53, Bcl-2 and Ki-67 in premalignant cervical lesions and cervical cancer

Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 2007;28(4):290-3.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the role of p53, Bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma and aggressiveness of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Methods: The pathology specimens of 63 patients with a diagnosis of normal squamous epithelium (22 cases), CIN I (14), CIN II (5), CIN III (8) and squamous cell carcinoma (14) were evaluated immunohistochemically for the expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Ki-67 in paraffin sections.

Results: The expression of p53 and Ki-67 increased proportionally to the grade of CIN and cervical cancer, but only the increase of p53 expression was statistically significant (p = 0.002). There was no significant correlation between Bcl-2 expression and premalignant and malignant cervical lesions.

Conclusion: p53 expression may have a role in the carcinogenesis of squamous cell cervical carcinoma whereas Bcl-2 expression has no role. Ki-67 expression can not be used in determining the aggressiveness of CIN lesions.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / classification
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / pathology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / classification
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53