Over expressions of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1 in human uterine cervical neoplasms enhance tumor invasion

Objective: Accumulating evidence has demonstrated upregulation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in multiple malignancies which play a critical role in tumor progression. However, up to now little is known about the role played by NGAL in human uterine cervical carcinomas. In this retrospective study we aimed to evaluate the role of tissue expressions of NGAL and KIM-1 in a spectrum of uterine invasive and noninvasive cervical neoplasms. Methods: Immunohistochemical NGAL and KIM-1 expressions were investigated in a total of 107 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded uterine cervical tumor specimens and their association with different clinicopathologic parameters was evaluated. Results: In this series, cases with 30 low- and 29 high- grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), 27 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 15 adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) and 6 adenocarcinoma (ACs) were detected. Positive NGAL expression was detected in only inflammatory cells of cases, whereas KIM-1 expression was detected in tumor cells. Statistically it was determined that the positivity rate of strong NGAL and KIM-1 expression was prominently higher in invasive carcinomas when compared with non-invasive squamous cell neoplasms (P < 0.01) . KIM-1 expressions were not detected in any of the few cases with adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Our findings have showed the presence of a correlation between membranous and cytoplasmic expressions of NGAL and KIM-1 and the invasive characteristics of uterine cervical neoplasms. As a result, expressions of NGAL and KIM-1 may be important in foreseeing the invasion and tumor progression.