Expression and significance of P53 and P21^waf1/cip1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To determine the expression of P53 and P21^waf1/cip1 in cervical cancer and its relationship to development of the carcinoma. Methods: Fifteen cases of chronic cervicitis and 47 cases of invasive cervical carcinoma were studied to determine expression of P53 and P21 by using an immunohistochemical method. Results: The results indicated that P53 was detected in 18 specimens(38.3%) and overexpression of P53 was not only related to the development and progression of cervical cancer, but also related to the degree of differentiation of cancer cells and clinical stage. P21^waf1/cip1 was detected in 27 specimens (57.4%). The underexpression of P21^waf1/cip1 was not only associated with carcinogenesis of the cervix, but also associated with the degree of differentiation of cancer cells. There was an inverse relationship between P21 and P53 expression in tumors. Conclusion: This study supports the hypothesis that P21 expression is regulated by P53 and that it is also regulated by an additional pathway in cervical carcinoma.