Correlation between abnormal cytology, HPV E6/E7 expression and cervical precancerous lesions severity

Introduction: The role of mRNA E6/E7 High Risk (HR) HPV expression as a predictive marker of high grade cervical precancerous lesions is shown in some studies (Fontecha 2016). Objective: There are no studies in Latvia on HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods: 95 women aged 18-65 with abnormal cytology referred for colposcopy during their first visit to Reference Colposcopy Centre in Riga East Clinical University Hospital in July 2016-July 2017 were included in the study. For each patient material from cervix for HR HPV E6/E7 common RNA was taken, under colposcopy control punch biopsy with a following histological examination was performed.HPV RNA E6/E7 oncoproteins were identified by real time PCR test. Discussion and conclusions: 27 patients with low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 63 with high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL),4 patient with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and 1 patient with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) were included in the study. HPVE6/E7 RNA presence was found in 76/95 cases: 3/4 cases of ASCUS cytology, 18/27 cases of LSIL group,55/63 cases of HSIL cytology (p < 0.01). CIN2+ histology report was strongly correlate with HPV E6/E7 RNA expression- 72/76 cases. In patients with HSIL cytology, punch biopsy CIN 2+ results were detected in all 63 cases. Punch biopsy histology results CIN 2+ in ASCUS group were detected in 3/4 cases and in patients with LSIL cytology in 9/27 cases. HPVE6/E7 RNA was positive in all of these 12 cases. Our findings suggest that detection of HRHPV E6/E7 RNA simultaneously with cytology test may be a possible positive prognostic factor in early high grade cervical precancerous lesions diagnostic. More detailed studies for method standardizing are required.