Detection of HPV-induced cervical (pre) neoplastic lesions - A tissue microarray (TMA) study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness Of a panel of biomarkers in the characterization of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical lesions. Management of these lesions depends on their histologic confirmation. Misinterpretation especially for benign mimics results in a significant diagnostic disagreement. For these reasons, a continuous effort is still needed to discover surrogate markers. which Could support the final diagnosis. Archival biopsies of normal ectocervical and endocervical tissues, squamous metaplasia, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma in situ and adenocarcinoma were retrieved to perforin a tissue microarray (TMA). A panel of markers was tested on the TMA obtained slides by in situ hybridization (HPV DNA) and immunohistochemistry involucrin, Ki-67. and FIPV Ll proteins). The sensitivity to detect high-risk HPV DNA increased with lesion's severity. In Situ hybridization signals suggesting integrated viral physical Status pi-cdominated in CIN II/III. squamous cell carcinoma and glandular (pre) neoplastic lesions. The P16 and Ki-67 protein expression increased from CIN I to CIN III and to infiltrative lesions. Involucrin positivity was better appreciated in well-differentiated diagnostic entities (ectocervix, mature metaplasia. and CIN 1). HPV Ll antibody cictected the viral capsid protein in a low proportion of CIN I and II. In conclusion. using a panel of Cervical biomarkers improves file final reporting of various HPV-induced epithelial lesions. Carefully constructed TMA with single spots of 1-mm diameter are powerful tools, which have a reliability in representing full tissue sections.