Correlation between Cervical Neoplasia and Apoptosis

Noh, Heung Tae; Lee, Chang Hwan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The kinetic indices of apoptosis and cell proliferation m a histopathologic spectrum of the cervical neoplasia were evaluated to clarify the correlation between cervical neoplasm and apoplasis. Specific lesioas included cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN), catcinoma in situ(CIS), and invasive carcinama.
METHODS
Archival samples from normal cervical epithelium(n=7), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LGSIL, n=17), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HGSIL, n=17), invasive squamaus carcinoma(n=7) were evaluated for apoptosis and cell proliferation. Apoptotic cells were identified with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-labeling of the 3'-OH end of DNA nucleosomes, and then apoptotic index(A.I sum of apoptotic bodies/ 1000 tumor cells) and total cell count(* 400 magnification) were calculated.
RESULTS
In normal squamous epitheliam, Apoptotic bodies were mainly localized in ial layers, for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HGSIL) in superficial and intermediated layers, for high-pade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HGSIL) in intermediated and parabasal layers, for invasive carcinoma in full thic of squamous epithelium. Apototic indces(AI) in invasive carcinoma(mean: 6.21) were significantly higher than indices for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HGSIL, mean: 0.98) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HGSIL, mean: 0.98) were significantly higher than indices for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LGSIL, mean: 0.12)(p<0.01), the total cell counts increased significantly as the specimens progressed toward invasive disease. (p<0.01)
CONCLUSION
Apoptosis in cervical neoplasia appears to be closely related to poliferation and progression of the cervical squamous epithelial cell. This phenotype may allow identification of premalignant lesions with the potential to transform to cervical cancer.