Prognostic markers of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions:: the role of topoisomerase IIα and active caspase-3

Purpose: To study the relationship between topoisomerase II alpha, active caspase-3 expressions and HPV DNA in uterine cervices with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). Methods: Forty women with LSIL and 32 without cervical neoplasia diagnosed through cytologic and histopathologic examination were evaluated regarding topoisomerase II alpha and active caspase-3 expressions and HPV DNA detection using PCR (GP5/GP6) in cervicovaginal smears. Results: The mean percentage of cells immunomarked by topoisomerase in the group with LSIL was 11.62% while in the control it was 4.13% (p < 0.0001). In the presence of HPV DNA, topoisomerase expression was higher in the group With productive viral infection than in nonneoplastic tissue (p = 0.004). Caspase-3 expression was observed in 17 patients with LSIL (42.5%) and in five without cervical neoplasia (15.63%). Conclusion: The use of topoisomerase II alpha and active caspase-3 in cervical biopsies may help to define the prognosis of HPV cervical infection.