Anti-apoptotic proteins, apoptotic and proliferative parameters and their prognostic significance in cervical carcinoma

The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) suppress apoptosis induced by a v ariety of stimuli. The aims of this study were to: (a) compare the expressi on of X-linked IAP (Xiap) and Human IAP-2 (Hiap-2) in cervical carcinoma ce lls and normal cervix, (b) determine the correlation between IAP expression and tumour apoptosis or proliferation, and (c) assess their prognostic sig nificance in cervical carcinomas. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections were re trieved from 77 patients with cervical squamous carcinomas Drier to treatme nts and 47 normal subjects. rumour apoptosis was determined by terminal deo xynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuracil triphosphate (dUTP) ni ck-end labelling (TUNEL) and apoptotic index (AI), and the proliferative ra te was measured by Ki-67 and mitotic (MI) indices. Immunoreactive Xiap and Hiap-2 were found in both cervical cancer cells and normal tissues. IAP exp ressions in cancers did not correlate with apoptotic and proliferative para meters. disease stage and patient survival. The lower Al and Ki-67 index we re associated with a better survival. In conclusion, the basal expression l evels of IAPs have no prognostic significance, but Al and Ki-67 expression are potential prognostic indicators in cervical carcinoma. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.