Expression of p63 and p53 Proteins in Premalignant Lesions and Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Uterine Cervix.

Objective : p63 is a member of the p53 gene family. The main aim of this study was to compare p63 and p53 expression in precancerous lesions and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods : Total 81 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (22 cases), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (42 cases) and invasive squamous cell carcinomas (17 cases) in the uterine cervix were stained by immunohistochemistry for expression of p63, p53 and topoisomerase II-. Results : p63 was statistically significant higher immunoreactivity according to progression of uterine cervical squamous lesions, but p53 was not significant. No statistical correlation was found between p63 and p53. Topoisomerase II- index was statistically significant higher according to increase of p63 expression. Conclusion : These findings suggest that the expression of p63 protein may play a roles in progression and proliferative activities of the uterine cervical squamous lesions.