Associations between ten biological tumor markers in squamous cell cervical cancer and serum estradiol, serum progesterone and smoking.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To study possible associations between selected tumor markers and co-factors in squamous cell cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten biological tumor markers representing different functions in carcinogenesis were diagnosed in 128 cases of squamous cell cervical cancer. These were p53, c-myc, EGFR, COX-2, CD4+, VEGF, E-cadherin, CD44, Ki-67 (MIB-1), and p27. Smoking habits and previous oral contraceptive use were registered. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were evaluated in 80 women. Each marker was compared to these four variables.

RESULTS

Highly significant assocations were found between strong c-myc staining (> or = 50%) and increased serum progesterone (p = 0.01), a low EGFR staining (< 20%) and high serum estradiol (p = 0.0007), and an absence of p53 staining and smoking (p = 0.008). There was a association between the absence of p53 and high serum progesterone (p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

The study supports a role of progesterone as a promoter of cervical cancer and indicates that smoking is associated with tumor development.