13-cis-retinoic acid and interferon-alpha 2a therapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: p53 alteration, proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and angiogenesis response.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prognostic importance of p53, PCNA and vascularization alteration in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after combination therapy with 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cRA) and interferon-alpha 2a (IFN-alpha 2a).


METHODS
13cRA and IFN-alpha 2a were administered to patients with locally advanced cervical SCC. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues sections obtained at pre- and post-therapy, respectively, were stained immunohistochemically with anti-p53, anti-PCNA and anti CD31.


RESULTS
p53 alteration was demonstrated in 5/10 patients and 3/10 patients pre- and post-therapy, respectively. There was no correlation between p53 alteration and prognosis. After therapy, two patients with complete response had lower PCNA expression whereas the non-responders demonstrated the opposite result. The vascularization showed a correlation with PCNA and prognosis. In the response group, patients had lower microvessel count while the metastatic group exhibited higher count.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that p53 alteration is neither related to the prognosis of cervical SCC nor is it influenced by the combination therapy while PCNA expression and vascularization might be constitute potential markers for tumorigenesis, prognosis and responsiveness to this novel regimen.
Charuruks
N
N
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Voravud
N
N
Termrungruanglert
W
W
Lertsanguansinchai
P
P
Tresukosol
D
D
Niruthisard
S
S
Sirisabya
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D015474:Isotretinoin