Expression Analysis of p53, Ki-67 and bcl-2 in Pre-Malignant Lesions of the Cervix

Objectives: The present study has tried to analyze the individual and combined expression of the three markers—p53, Ki-67 and bel-2-in HPV associated pre-malignant lesions of the cervix. Methods: Thirty-four cases of high-grade lesions, 21 low-grade cases and 18 normal cases were histologically assessed. HPV-DNA presence and the viral types were determined through PCR and RFLP, respectively. Marker expression was performed by immuno-histochemistry. Results: With regards to viral types, HPV with high oncogenic potential represented the majority, with just one case reporting the low oncogenic potential for viral infection (HPV 6). HPV was the most frequent and could be associated with the high-grade lesion group, however, no significant associations were found between the viral ones and the marker expression. When the expression location, beyond the basal layer, was taken into account, the three markers proved to be good indicators of the lesion grade. The markers’ combined expression: p53(−), Ki-67(+), bcl-2(−) and p53(−), Ki-67(−), bcl-2(−) was statistically significant when associated with the lesion grade. Conclusions: The results suggest that the p53, Ki-67 and bel-2 markers can contribute to differentiate the lesion grades, whether in its isolate form or in combined form.