[Ki-67 expression, thymidine phosphorylase and PTEN in intraepithelial cervical carcinoma].

Expression of Ki-67, thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and PTEN were assessed in various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in order to evaluate their potentials of predicting the gravity of possible damage to the epithelium as well as pro- or regression of CIN. Ki-67 and TP levels were shown to correlate directly with CIN grade. It was suggested that a small number of cases of Ki-67 and TP expression absence (15%), exclusively in CIN3 samples, be due to imminent progression to invasive cancer. Both separately and in combination, Ki-67 and TP expression indices should be regarded as having a potential as markers for cervical carcinoma diagnosis, grade and clinical course.