Immunohistochemical expression of cell proliferating nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 protein in cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 protein expression in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in uterine cervix. Study Design: A total of 36 cervical biopsies were subjected for immunostaining and the results were correlated with different prognostic parameters. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were done using "STATA" software. Results: PCNA labeling index and p53 expression increased with increasing severity of CIN lesions. PCNA labeling index was maximum (46.0) carcinoma cervix with intense positive staining. In bivariate statistical analysis, p53 and PCNALI were found to be insignificant (0.4184 and 0.4328, respectively). Menopausal stage was significantly associated with CA and CIN groups (P < 0.166 and P < 0.049), respectively. Conclusion: These markers may be of greater importance in low-grade CIN lesions showing high proliferative index. This will place the low-grade lesions in higher grade indicating the utility of proliferative markers in decision making for intervention. This method is simple and cost effective and may be useful in developing countries where HPVDNA testing is still out of reach because of high cost. © 2012 Federation of Obstetric & Gynecological Societies of India.