Cervical cancer screening by enhanced cytology: application of novel markers.

Cervical cytological examination is the most widely applied screening method for cervical cancer and its precursors. Liquid-based cytology produces goodquality smears1 and enables the use of ancillary laboratory techniques to distinguish neoplastic from benign cells.1 Immunohistochemical and molecular markers have been tested to identify dysplastic cells in cervical smears. When testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) or chromosome aneusomy, MIB1 (Ki67) and p16 immunocytochemistry helps to highlight dysplastic or cancer cells.2 Such markers may be useful for triage of patients with borderline smears of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), which is the most common abnormal cytological finding and is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing cervical cancer and its high-grade precursors. In this study, immunocytochemical markers (p63, p73, Eif-5A2, and DJ-1 genes) were tested in cervical cancer screening using immunocytochemistry and chromogenic in situ hybridisation. Differential expression of these genes in cervical cytology is useful in diagnosing cervical cancer. p63 and p73 genes are members of the p53 family and play important roles in carcinogenesis. Different isoforms of p63 and p73 can enhance or suppress neoplastic cell growth. Differential expression of p63 and p73 isoforms was reported in normal and neoplastic cervical epithelium. p73 expression is associated with radiosensitivity of cervical cancer.3 In a study of frequently amplified regions at 3q26.2, Eif-5A2 was found to be important Hong Kong Med J 2014;20(Suppl 6):S39-43 RFCID project number: 06060642 ANY Cheung *, XY Guan, HYS Ngan