Prognostic markers of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions: the role of topoisomerase IIalpha and active caspase-3.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between topoisomerase IIalpha, active caspase-3 expressions and HPV DNA in uterine cervices with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL).


METHODS
Forty women with LSIL and 32 without cervical neoplasia diagnosed through cytologic and histopathologic examination were evaluated regarding topoisomerase IIalpha and active caspase-3 expressions and HPV DNA detection using PCR (GP5/GP6) in cervicovaginal smears.


RESULTS
The mean percentage of cells immunomarked by topoisomerase in the group with LSIL was 11.62% while in the control it was 4.13% (p < 0.0001). In the presence of HPV DNA, topoisomerase expression was higher in the group with productive viral infection than in nonneoplastic tissue (p = 0.004). Caspase-3 expression was observed in 17 patients with LSIL (42.5%) and in five without cervical neoplasia (15.63%).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of topoisomerase IIalpha and active caspase-3 in cervical biopsies may help to define the prognosis of HPV cervical infection.
Coelho
R A
RA
Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP-E.P.M.), São Paulo, Brazil. raquelautran@terra.com.br
Focchi
G R A
GR
Nogueira-de-Souza
N C
NC
Sartori
M G F
MG
Silva
I D C G
ID
Ribalta
J C L
JC
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis*; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000032:analysis*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D011379:Prognosis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D053148:Caspase 3; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II