EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-ALPHA IN THE NORMAL CERVIX AND IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT LESIONS OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of transformi ng growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in the normal cervix and in benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix. Subjects and methods Immu no-histochemical reactivity with a monoclonal antibody against TGF-alp ha was examined in tissue specimens from 15 normal cervices, six cervi cal polyps, four cervical condylomata acuminata, 34 cervical intra-epi thelial neoplasias, 35 invasive squamous cell carcinomas, five adenoca rcinomas, and three mixed adenosquamous carcinomas. Results Normal squ amous cells of the exocervix were found to be negative for TGF-alpha i mmunoreactivity, whereas reserve cells and metaplastic squamous cells in the transformation zone were positive for TGF-alpha. Although TGF-a lpha immuno-reactivity was variable in the cervical condylomas, most c ases of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia with or without koilocytot ic atypia were negative for TGF-alpha. In the invasive carcinomas, how ever, TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was observed in 17 out of the 35 case s of squamous carcinoma, and in all cases of adeno- and adenosquamous carcinomas. In addition, intense TGF-alpha immuno-reactivity was found in clinically advanced tumours. Conclusion These results suggest that the expression of TGF-alpha is associated with squamous metaplasia in the normal cervix, and that TGF-alpha may play an important role in c ervical carcinogenesis, especially in its progression.