Objective: To investigate the quantities of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6 gene and to study its relationship with the expression of survivin in cervical carcinoma.
Methods: In 148 patients including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cervical carcinoma and chronic cervicitis, the quantities of HPV 16 E6 gene were detected by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and the expressions of survivin were measured by immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase (SP) assay.
Results: The quantities of HPV 16 E6 gene were 0.3 +/- 0.4, 0.6 +/- 0.4, 1.8 +/- 0.6 and 2.4 +/- 0.6, and expression rates of survivin were 7%, 31%, 63% and 84% respectively in chronic cervicitis, CIN I, CIN II-III and cervical cancer tissues. The quantities of HPV 16 E6 gene and the expressions of survivin tended to increase along with the tumor progression (P < 0.05). The quantities of HPV16 E6 gene and the expressions of survivin of CIN I, II-III or cervical cancer were significantly higher than that of chronic cervicitis or CIN I (P < 0.01). Positive rank correlation between the quantities of HPV16 E6 gene and the expression of survivin was observed in cervical carcinoma (gamma(s) = 0.62, P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The quantities of HPV16 E6 gene appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Survivin overexpression might play an important role in the process of cervical carcinoma.