Relations between the expression of p53, c-erbB-2, Ki-67 and HPV infectionin cervical carcinomas and cervical dysplasias

Background: The analysis of mutual relations between HPV infection and the expression of cancer gene products and proliferative activity in cervical c arcinomas and dysplasias. Materials and Methods: The expression ofp53, c-er bB-2 oncoproteins and proliferative activity (Ki-67) was evaluated immunohi stochemically in 41 cervical carcinomas and 29 dysplasias. HPV infection ( type 16, 18) was assessed by in situ hybridization technique. Results: HPV - positive carcinomas were found in 68.3% of cases. HPV type 16 infection w ere detected in 54% and HPV 18 in 39% of carcinomas. Simultaneous appearanc e of both virus types was shown in 25% of carcinomas. In dysplastic lesions , HPV infection was observed in 62.1% of cases. HPV type 16 was found in 34 .5% and HPV 18 in 44.8% of patients. Both virus types were found in 17.2% o f dysplasias. HPV infection was more extensive in cervical carcinomas than in dysplasias. Similarly the expression of oncoproteins was more intensive and referred to a higher percentage of cells in carcinomas. No relations be tween p53, c-erbB-2 overexpression and HPV infection were found. Ki-67 acti vity was found in a higher percentage of HPV-positive than in HPV-negative, both carcinomas and dysplasias. Conclusions: HPV infection, especially acc ompanied by increase of proliferative activity in dysplasias may define the cell subpopulation predisposed to malignant process development. The emplo yment of in situ hybridization technique appears to be useful in detecting the viral infection in cytological smears even with no morphological change s in the cells.