Abstract

p16 is a tumor suppressor protein and also a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and HPV-L1 (L1) is a capsidic protein that is expressed in the early, productive phase of cervical carcinogenesis. To provide evidence for the evaluation of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), the expressions of p16 and HPVL₁ in different cervical diseases were determined and their relationship was explored. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expressions of p16 and HPVL₁ in women positive for HPV among whom 38, 32, 28, 33 and 10 had CIN I, CIN II, CIN III, cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and cervical adenocarcinoma, respectively. Fourteen healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Results showed the positive rate of p16 in cervicitis, CIN I, CIN II, CIN III,cervical SCC and cervical adenocarcinoma patients was 0, 26.3, 81.2, 96.4, 100 and 90%, respectively, and that of HPVL₁ was 100, 65.8, 13.8, 0, 0 and 0%, respectively. p16(-)/HPVL₁(+) was frequently found in patients with cervicitis or cervical lesions of low grade and p16(+)/HPVL₁(-) was often noted in women with CIN III or cervical cancer. The cervical lesions of patients with p16(-)/HPVL1(-) or p16(+)/HPVL₁(+) might have no progression or undergo degeneration. Detection of p16 and HPVL₁ expressions plays an important role in the prediction of early cervical cancer and its progression.

Key words: Cervical tumor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, human papilloma virus, HPVL1 protein, p16.