In situ expressions of protein 16 (p16CDKN2A) and transforming growth factor beta-1 in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES

Protein 16 (p16CDKN2A) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF- β1) are important tumor suppressor molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and simultaneous expression of p16CDKN2A and TGF- β1 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer and their relationship whit the neoplasia progression.

STUDY

DESIGN

To evaluate the expressions of p16CDKN2A and TGF- β1 an immunohistochemical study of both proteins in 75 cervical tissues (24 CIN I, 17 CIN II, 15 CIN III and 19 squamous cell cancer) was performed.

RESULTS

Increased expression of epithelial and stromal p16CDKN2A in all grades of CIN and cancer was observed. Healthy controls were negative. The frequency of p16CDKN2A expression in the patients was as follow: 75% in CIN I and 100% in CIN II, CIN III and cancer. TGF- β1 expression was found increased in all patients with CIN I and CIN II and decreased in CIN III and cancer; 60% of patients with CIN III and 16% with cancer showed reactivity for TGF- β1. High intensity of p16CDKN2A reactivity and low intensity of TGF- β1 reactivity were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The linear frequency of p16CDKN2A expression accompanied by decreased frequency of TGF- β1 in CIN III and cancer could be involved in the neoplasia progression.