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European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (EJGO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 40 Issue 1 (2019). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Original Research
The role of mTOR signaling pathway in premalignant and malignant cervical lesions
M. Andrikopoulou1,*, N. Salakos1, E. Deligeoroglou1, A. Pafiti2, I. Boutas1, N. Nikitakis3, A. Sklavounou3, G. Creatsas1
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1
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens
2
Department of Pathology, University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens
3
Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, University of Athens, Dental School, Athens (Greece)
Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol. 2015, 36(1), 36–43;
https://doi.org/10.12892/ejgo2563.2015
Published: 10 February 2015
Abstract
Purpose of the study: Aberrant activation of the Akt/mTOR/pS6 signaling pathway has been identified in various types of cancer and is under investigation in cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of the phosphorylated/activated forms of Akt (upstream molecule), 4E-BP1 and pS6 (downstream molecules) in biopsy samples of cervical low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and squamous cell carcinoma (Ca) compared to normal cervical epithelium. Material and Methods: The study included 38 cases diagnosed as LSIL, 31 cases as HSIL, 29 cases as Ca, and eight control cases from normal cervix. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of pAkt, p4E-BP1 and pS6. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between HSIL and Ca groups compared to controls regarding intensity, positivity, and total scores for all three molecules (p < 0.001). A trend for higher expression with increasing grade of dysplasia was demonstrated. Conclusion: These results strongly support the view that the mTOR signaling pathway is involved in cervical carcinogenesis.
Keywords
Cervical cancer
mTOR signaling pathway
LSIL
HSIL