High risk HPV and p53 protein expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Introduction: Cervical intraepithelial lesions due to HPV infection are com mon in Brazil. An understanding of the mechanisms of the interaction betwee n HPV and host factors is still incomplete. In spite of the high incidence of cervical cancer in Brazil, such studies with Brazilian patients are scar ce. The purpose of this study was to correlate the presence of high-risk ty pes of HPV and expression of p53 protein, grade of cervical lesion, age, hi gh-risk sexual behaviors and smoking. It was also intended to establish whe ther p53 expression might be useful as a marker for CIN progression. Method s: HPV detection was performed on paraffin sections using biotin-labeled pr obes by in situ hybridization. p53 protein expression was evaluated by immu nohistochemistry. Results: Seventy-eight patients with cervical dysplasia w ere included in the study. CIN 1 was diagnosed in 38 cases, and CIN 2 + 3 i n 40 cases. High-risk HPV was detected in 42 patients. No correlation was f ound between the grade of cervical lesion or the presence of HPV and smokin g, and high-risk sexual behavior. Expression of p53 was significantly highe r in CIN 1, as compared with CIN 2 + 3, but did not correlate with HPV stat us. Conclusion: Higher expression of p53 protein in early lesions supports the hypothesis of a partially protective role of the wild-type p53 in early stages of cervical lesions. (C) 2000 International Federation of Gynecolog y and Obstetrics. All rights reserved.