Expression of Sialyl Lewis a, Sialyl Lewis x, Lewis y, Gal-3, Gal-7, STMN1 and p16 in cervical dysplasia

Aim: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is commonly divided into three grades. Guidelines increasingly recommend surgery only in CIN 3 lesions. We investigated markers to evaluate differences in CIN 2 and 3 lesions as well as possible predictors for regression/progression in CIN 2 lesions. Materials & methods: Biopsies (n = 128) of healthy cervical tissue and CIN 1–3 were stained for Sialyl Lewis a, Sialyl Lewis x, Lewis y, Gal-3, Gal-7, STMN1 and p16. Results: We observed significant differences between CIN 2 and 3 lesions for Sialyl Lewis a, Sialyl Lewis x, Gal-3, Gal-7, STMN1 and p16. Expression of Sialyl Lewis a was significantly higher in CIN 2 patients who progressed during follow-up. Conclusion: Significant differences in marker expression support the differentiation of CIN 2 and 3. Lewis a may help to predict progression/regression in CIN 2 patients.

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