Objectives: Loss of KAI1 protein is a frequent event in various types of cancer and has been reported to be associated with increased rate of metastasis and shorter survival time.
Methods: Expression of KAI1 and p53 was immunohistochemically determined in 75 biopsy specimens from patients with primary irradiated, invasive squamous cell cervical cancer and 30 cases with CIN I-III.
Results: In invasive cancer, 22 cases showed strong expression, 42 cases down-regulation, and 11 cases no expression of KAI1. All specimens with CIN I showed strong KAI1 expression, while in CIN II and III down-regulation was observed in 45% of cases. There was no significant correlation of KAI1 expression with clinical and histopathological parameters. No influence of KAI1 expression on prognosis was observed.
Conclusions: KAI1-down-regulation is a frequent event in cervical cancer occurring early in carcinogenesis. KAI1 expression did not influence the prognosis of patients with primary irradiated cervical cancer.