To find out p16INK4a expression and methylation status 105 squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were investigated by using immunohistochemistry and Methylation Specific PCR techniques.
The materials were divided into four groups: 1) nonneoplastic cervices, 2) CIN I, 3) CIN II-III and 4) invasive SCCs. p16 methylation and p16 immunoexpressions increased in CIN and invasive SCCs than nonneoplastic tissue. p16-methylation and p16-immunoreactivities were higher in the EBV-positive group (p=0.009, p<0.001) than in the EBV-negative group.
The purpose of this study was to determine the association between active tobacco exposure and aberrant p16 promoter methylation in primary cervical squamous cell cancer and high-grade squamous cervical dysplasia.
Carcinogenesis of cervical cancer has been investigated, and p16(INK4a) overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix has been reported as a result of infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) (eg, HPV 16), and the consequence of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein inactivation by HPV E7 protein.
As human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and overexpression of p16INK4a occurs when retinoblastoma protein is inactivated by high-risk HPV, the authors studied the association of HPV infection and expression of p16INK4a in cervical adenocarcinomas.