Cell cycle proteins as molecular markers of malignant change in vulvar lichen sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus (LS) has a known association with the development of squam ous cell carcinoma of the vulva. The purpose of this study was to investiga te molecular markers, which could indicate premalignant changes. Multiple s equential Vulvar biopsies were taken over a period of II years from a patie nt with longstanding LS. Immunohistochemical staining was used to demonstra te a range of molecular markers. Increased expression of p53 and Ki67 was found in areas of squamous hyperpl asia (SH) and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN) which correlated with the subsequent development of invasive squamous cell carcin oma (SCC). Molecular changes have been found to accompany histologic change s in the progression of vulvar LS to malignancy. Such markers may prove a u seful addition in the clinical management of these conditions.