Use of AKR1C1 and TKTL1 in the diagnosis of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions from Mexican women

Abstract

Background/Aim: To determine the differential protein profiles of cervical cancer cell lines in order to find potential targets that can be used as biomarkers in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Proteomic analysis was performed on cervical cancer cell lines by 2D electrophoresis and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Biomarker validation was performed in histological samples by immunofluorescence. Results: Aldo-keto reductase C1 (AKR1C1) and transketolase-like 1 (TKTL1) proteins were selected as biomarkers and their expression was increased in samples with LSIL diagnosis. TKTL1 in combination with AKR1C1 increased sensitivity and specificity to 75% and 66%, respectively, with an area under curve of 0.76 in receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. Conclusion: AKR1C1 and TKTL1 showed potential as biomarkers for diagnosis of LSIL in Mexican women, with similar sensitivity and specificity to the biomarkers used in clinical trials for diagnosis of LSIL.