Cordycepin suppresses cell proliferation and migration by targeting CLEC2 in human gastric cancer cells via Akt signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: Gastric cancer is a common malignancy worldwide, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Cordycepin is a 3'-deoxyadenosine drug with significant anti-cancer effects. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying cordycepin action on gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration. METHODS: The human gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803 and HGC-27 were treated with different concentrations of cordycepin (25 µM, 50 µM, 100 µM and 5 µM, 25 µM and 50 µM) for 48 h. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT and colony formation assays, and in vitro migration by the wound healing and transwell assays. In addition, Flow Cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the expression levels of key factors. RESULTS: Cordycepin significantly inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner, in addition to inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle at the G2 phase. Mechanistically, cordycepin targeted the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by significantly altering the expression levels/activation of several key mediators, and upregulated the anti-metastatic factor CLEC2. CONCLUSION: Cordycepin inhibited the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by upregulating CLEC2 via the Akt signaling pathway.

Mortalin overexpression predicts poor prognosis in early stage of non-small cell lung cancer.

Mortalin is a member of the heat shock protein 70 family, which is involved in multiple cellular processes and may play key roles in promoting carcinogenesis. This study attempted to identify the clinical consequences of Mortalin overexpression and its roles in the prognostic evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer. A total of 120 non-small cell lung cancer samples paired with the adjacent non-tumor tissue samples and 10 normal lung tissues were selected for immunohistochemical staining for Mortalin. The localization of Mortalin was detected in A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells using immunofluorescence staining. The correlations between Mortalin overexpression and the clinical features of non-small cell lung cancers were evaluated using the chi-square test. The survival analysis was calculated via the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard models. Our studies suggested that Mortalin exhibited a primarily cytoplasmic staining pattern in the non-small cell lung cancers. The rate of strongly positive Mortalin expression was higher in the non-small cell lung cancer samples than in the adjacent non-tumor samples or in normal lung tissues. Mortalin overexpression was significantly correlated with high histological grades, advanced stages, lymph node metastases, and lower disease-free survival and overall survival rates of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The survival analysis demonstrated that Mortalin overexpression was a significant independent prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer, especially for patients with early stage of non-small cell lung cancer. In conclusion, Mortalin is up-regulated in non-small cell lung cancer, and it may be a potential biomarker of prognostic evaluation and a molecular therapeutic target for patients with early stage of non-small cell lung cancer.

NQO1-Mediated Tumor-Selective Lethality and Radiosensitization for Head and Neck Cancer.

UNLABELLED: Ionizing radiation (IR) is a key therapeutic regimen for many head and neck cancers (HNC). However, the 5-year overall survival rate for locally advanced HNCs is approximately 50% and better therapeutic efficacy is needed. NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is overexpressed in many cancers, and ß-lapachone (ß-lap), a unique NQO1 bioactivatable drug, exploits this enzyme to release massive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that synergize with IR to kill by programmed necrosis. ß-Lap represents a novel therapeutic opportunity in HNC leading to tumor-selective lethality that will enhance the efficacy of IR. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assays were used to assess the expression levels of NQO1 in HNC cells and tumors. Forty-five percent of endogenous HNCs expressed elevated NQO1 levels. In addition, multiple HNC cell lines and tumors demonstrated elevated levels of NQO1 expression and activity and were tested for anticancer lethality and radiosensitization by ß-lap using long-term survival assays. The combination of nontoxic ß-lap doses and IR significantly enhanced NQO1-dependent tumor cell lethality, increased ROS, TUNEL-positive cells, DNA damage, NAD(+), and ATP consumption, and resulted in significant antitumor efficacy and prolonged survival in two xenograft murine HNC models, demonstrating ß-lap radiosensitization of HNCs through a NQO1-dependent mechanism. This translational study offers a potential biomarker-driven strategy using NQO1 expression to select tumors susceptible to ß-lap-induced radiosensitization. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1757-67. ©2016 AACR.

Tenascin-C, a Prognostic Determinant of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Tenascin-C, an adhesion modulatory extracellular matrix molecule, is highly expressed in numerous human malignancies; thus, it may contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We explored the clinicopathological significance of Tenascin-C as a prognostic determinant of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: In ESCC patient tissues and cell lines, the presence of isoforms were examined using western blotting. We then investigated Tenascin-C immunohistochemical expression in 136 ESCC tissue samples. The clinical relevance of Tenascin-C expression and the correlation between Tenascin-C expression and expression of other factors related to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were also determined. RESULTS: Both 250 and 350 kDa sized isoforms of Tenascin-C were expressed only in esophageal cancer tissue not in normal tissue. Furthermore, both isoforms were also identified in all of four CAFs derived from esophageal cancer tissues. Tenascin-C expression was remarkably higher in ESCC than in adjacent non-tumor esophageal epithelium (p < 0.001). Tenascin-C expression in ESCC stromal fibroblasts was associated with patient's age, tumor (pT) stage, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, and cancer recurrence. Tenascin-C expression in cancer cells was correlated with an increase in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) population, cancer recurrence, and hypoxia inducible factor1α (HIF1α) expression. Moreover, Tenascin-C overexpression in cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts was an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In the Cox proportional hazard regression model, Tenascin-C overexpression in cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts was a significant independent hazard factor for OS and DFS in ESCC patients in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, Tenascin-C expression in stromal fibroblasts of the ESCC patients was positively correlated with platelet-derived growth factor α (PDGFRα), PDGFRß, and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression. The 5-year OS and DFS rates were remarkably lower in patients with positive expressions of both Tenascin-C and PDGFRα (p < 0.001), Tenascin-C and PDGFRß (p < 0.001), Tenascin-C and SMA (p < 0.001), Tenascin-C and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) (p < 0.001), and Tenascin-C and fibroblast-stimulating protein-1 (FSP1) (p < 0.001) in ESCC stromal fibroblasts than in patients with negative expressions of both Tenascin-C and one of the abovementioned CAF markers. CONCLUSION: Our results show that Tenascin-C is a reliable and significant prognostic factor in ESCC. Tenascin-C may thus be a potent ESCC therapeutic target.

Sesamin attenuates mast cell-mediated allergic responses by suppressing the activation of p38 and nuclear factor-κB.

Establishing therapeutic agents for the treatment of allergic diseases is an important focus of human health research. Sesamin, a lignan in sesame oil, exhibits a diverse range of pharmacological properties. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of sesamin on mast cell­mediated allergic responses has not yet been investigated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sesamin on mast cell­mediated allergic responses and the underlying mechanisms by which it produces this effect. In rats, oral administration of sesamin inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Sesamin exposure attenuated immunoglobulin E­induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, which was indicated to be mediated by the modulation of intracellular calcium. In human mast cells, sesamin reduced the stimulatory effects of phorbol 12­myristate 13­acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 on the production and secretion of pro­inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor­α and interleukin­6. The inhibitory effect of sesamin on pro­inflammatory cytokine production was dependent on nuclear factor κ­light­chain­enhancer of activated B cells (NF­κB) and p38 mitogen­activated protein kinase (MAPK). The present study demonstrates that sesamin inhibits mast cell­derived inflammatory allergic reactions by blocking histamine release, and pro­inflammatory cytokine production and secretion. In addition, the findings indicate that the effect of sesamin is mediated by its effect on p38 MAPK/NF­κB signaling. Furthermore, the in vivo and in vitro anti­allergic effects of sesamin reported in the present study suggest that it is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory allergic diseases.

Ginsenoside Rh2 attenuates allergic airway inflammation by modulating nuclear factor-κB activation in a murine model of asthma.

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is regulated by coordination of T-helper type 2 cell cytokines and inflammatory signaling molecules. Ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is an active component of ginseng with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. The aim of the present study was to determine the inhibitory effects of G-Rh2 on allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma, in which mice develop the following pathophysiological features of asthma: Increased abundance of inflammatory cells; increased levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13; decreased abundance of interferon gamma in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue; increased total and ovalbumin (OVA)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in the serum; increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR); and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in lung tissue. In the asthmatic mice, administration of G-Rh2 markedly reduced peribronchiolar inflammation, recruitment of airway inflammatory cells, cytokine production, total and OVA-specific IgE levels and AHR. G-Rh2 administration inhibited NF-κB activation and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation induced by OVA inhalation. These results suggested that G-Rh2 attenuates allergic airway inflammation by regulating NF-κB activation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The present study identified the molecular mechanisms of action of G-Rh2, which supported the potential use of G-Rh2 to prevent and/or treat asthma and other airway inflammatory disorders.

Chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Melandrium firmum.

Two new anthraquinones, melrubiellin C (1) and melrubiellin D (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Melandrium firmum Rohrbach, together with eight known compounds (3-10). The structures of these compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) experiments. All isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against NCI-H460, Hep G2, MKN-28 and A-549 cells. Of these 10 compounds, 1 and 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 9.54 to 32.41 µM.

Cytotoxic anthraquinone dimers from Melandrium firmum.

Two new anthraquinone dimers, melrubiellin A (1) and melrubiellin B (2), were isolated from the aerial part of Melandrium firmum Rohrbach, along with seven known compounds (3-9). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectral analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) experiments. Compound 1 and 2 exhibited significant cytotoxicity towards HeLa, NCI-H460, Hep G2, Hep 3B and MKN-28 cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 5.26 to 81.16 µM.

Possible prognostic significance of p53, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in the second primary malignancy of patients with double primary malignancies.

Patients with two types of primary cancers are rare. In this study, we investigated the expression of p53, cyclin D1, and Ki-67 in the second primary malignancy. Tissue samples were obtained from the second primary cancer site of 43 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for double primary cancer. p53, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 were determined using immunohistochemistry. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-squared test; correlation between data scores and histology was calculated using the Spearman's rank-order correlation. The expression rates of p53, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in the second primary malignancy site were 60.5%, 30.2% and 65.1% respectively. p53 expression showed statistically significant association with tumor occurrence interval, pathological grading and nodal metastasis (p < 0.05). Positive correlation was detected between the expression of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 and the expression of p53 (r = 0.313, p = 0.041; r = 0.319, p = 0.037, respectively). High-expressing p53 or cyclin D second primary malignancies were associated with decreased overall survival (p = 0.040 and p = 0.043, respectively). Ki-67 expression levels did not exhibit statistically significant differences in survival. In conclusion, elevated protein expression of p53, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in the second primary malignancy is an indicator of more aggressive malignant behavior of the secondary tumor. These markers may have prognostic value in the clinical setting.

Correlation between HER-2/neu(erbB-2) expression level and therapeutic effect of combination treatment with HERCEPTIN and chemotherapeutic agents in gastric cancer cell lines.

INTRODUCTION: Although advanced gastric cancer has many limitations and response rate is marginal in chemotherapy. Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2/neu) gene and its protein are associated with increased cell division and a high rate of tumor growth and have been reported in several malignancies. Especially, approximately 30% of breast cancer patients have overexpression of HER-2/neu protein and the overexpression metastasize faster, induces resistance of the chemotherapy and down-regulate function of estrogen receptor. Recombinant humanized anti-HER2 antibody (Herceptin) inhibits proliferation of HER-2/neu overexpressing tumor cells and the use of that in combination in metastatic breast cancer have increased cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: We evaluated the expression of HER-2/neu protein in gastric cell lines by FACS and then comparing the cytotoxicity in chemotherapeutics (doxorubicin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, 5-FU) alone and in combination with Herceptin according to the expression of HER-2/neu protein by MTT assay. RESULTS: 1. NCI-N87 (88%) gastric cancer cell line and SK-BR-3 (89%) breast cancer cell line with strong positivity of HER-2/neu expression. YBC-2 (55%) and YBC-3 (48%) gastric cancer cell line with intermediated, weak positivity respectively. Negative control U-87 MG (6%) brain cancer cell line were showed low expression of HER-2/neu. 2. Cell growth was dose-dependently inhibited in HER-2/neu positive, control cell line SK-BR-3 by Herceptin treatment but not observed in HER-2/neu negative control cell line U-87 MG. Effective growth inhibition was not observed in gastric cancer cell lines with single treatment of Herceptin, all cell lines observed the dose-dependent growth inhibition to chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin, cisplatin, paclitaxel and 5-FU). 3. Combination of Herceptin with doxorubicin observed synergistic effects in all cancer cell lines except YBC-3, combination of Herceptin with cisplatin observed NCI-N87 and SK-BR-3 and combination of Herceptin with paclitaxel observed synergistic effects in YBC-2. Combination of Herceptin with 5-FU observed antagonistic effects in all cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: According to HER-2/neu expression level, effect of anti-cancer agents was observed differently in combination of Herceptin with chemotherapeutic agents. This suggests that HER-2/neu expression level can be applied standard of combination drug selection in combination of Herceptin With chemotherapeutic agents in gastric cancer.

Silibinin attenuates allergic airway inflammation in mice.

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease regulated by coordination of T-helper2 (Th2) type cytokines and inflammatory signal molecules. Silibinin is one of the main flavonoids produced by milk thistle, which is reported to inhibit the inflammatory response by suppressing the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Because NF-κB activation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation, we have investigated the effect of silibinin on a mouse ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. Airway hyperresponsiveness, cytokines levels, and eosinophilic infiltration were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue. Pretreatment of silibinin significantly inhibited airway inflammatory cell recruitment and peribronchiolar inflammation and reduced the production of various cytokines in bronchoalveolar fluid. In addition, silibinin prevented the development of airway hyperresponsiveness and attenuated the OVA challenge-induced NF-κB activation. These findings indicate that silibinin protects against OVA-induced airway inflammation, at least in part via downregulation of NF-κB activity. Our data support the utility of silibinin as a potential medicine for the treatment of asthma.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer by high density cDNA microarray.

The identification of molecular markers for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is a significant issue in the management of patients with gastric cancer. We compared the expression profiles of 23 gastric cancers and 22 normal gastric tissues using cDNA microarrays. We divided the samples into two sets, 11 pairs as a training set and 12 unpaired gastric cancer and 11 unpaired normal gastric tissues as a test set. We selected significant genes in the training set and validated the significance of the genes in the test set. We obtained 238 classifier genes that showed a maximum cross-validation probability and clear hierarchical clustering pattern in the training set, and showed excellent class prediction probability in the independent test set. The classifier genes consisted of known genes related to the biological features of cancer and 28% unknown genes. We obtained genome-wide molecular signatures of gastric cancer, which provides preliminary exploration data for the pathophysiology of gastric cancer.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives on Es-2, A549, and HepG2 cells in vitro.

A series of dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives containing an acid ester was synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor activity on ES-2, A549, and HepG2 cells by the MTT assay. Most compounds showed antitumor activity, while compounds 1c, 2i, and 2o exhibited more potential inhibitory effects compared with dehydroepiandrosterone on ES-2 cells, A549 cells, and HepG2 cells, respectively.

Biliary infection may exacerbate biliary cystogenesis through the induction of VEGF in cholangiocytes of the polycystic kidney (PCK) rat.

Cholangitis arising from biliary infection dominates the prognosis in Caroli's disease. To clarify the influences of bacterial infection on the biliary cystogenesis, in vivo and in vitro studies were performed using the polycystic kidney (PCK) rat as an animal model of Caroli's disease. Cholangitis became a frequent histological finding in aged PCK rats, and neovascularization around the bile ducts also increased in aged PCK rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was increased in PCK rat biliary epithelium. In vitro, PCK cholangiocytes overexpressed VEGF, and the supernatant of cultured PCK cholangiocytes significantly increased the proliferative activity, migration, and tube formation of cultured rat vascular endothelial cells. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) further induced VEGF expression in PCK cholangiocytes, which might be mediated by signaling pathways involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Both LPS and VEGF increased cell proliferative activity in PCK cholangiocytes, and siRNA against VEGF significantly reduced LPS-induced cell proliferation. Thus, LPS-induced overexpression of VEGF in the biliary epithelium may lead to hypervascularity around the bile ducts; concurrently, LPS and VEGF act as cell proliferation factors for cholangiocytes. Biliary infection may thus exacerbate biliary cystogenesis in PCK rats.

AP-2γ regulates oestrogen receptor-mediated long-range chromatin interaction and gene transcription.

Oestrogen receptor α (ERα) is key player in the progression of breast cancer. Recently, the cistrome and interactome of ERα were mapped in breast cancer cells, revealing the importance of spatial organization in oestrogen-mediated transcription. However, the underlying mechanism of this process is unclear. Here, we show that ERα binding sites (ERBS) identified from the Chromatin Interaction Analysis-Paired End DiTag of ERα are enriched for AP-2 motifs. We demonstrate the transcription factor, AP-2γ, which has been implicated in breast cancer oncogenesis, binds to ERBS in a ligand-independent manner. Furthermore, perturbation of AP-2γ expression impaired ERα DNA binding, long-range chromatin interactions, and gene transcription. In genome-wide analyses, we show that a large number of AP-2γ and ERα binding events converge together across the genome. The majority of these shared regions are also occupied by the pioneer factor, FoxA1. Molecular studies indicate there is functional interplay between AP-2γ and FoxA1. Finally, we show that most ERBS associated with long-range chromatin interactions are colocalized with AP-2γ and FoxA1. Together, our results suggest AP-2γ is a novel collaborative factor in ERα-mediated transcription.

Synthesis and anti-tumor evaluation of panaxadiol derivatives.

A series of panaxadiol derivatives have been synthesized by the simple acylation of the 3-hydroxy group of panaxadiol. The anti-tumor activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against a panel of human tumor cell lines by the standard MTT assay. Compounds 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 showed stronger antiproliferative activities than that of Rg3 and PD on the growth of the distinct cancer cell lines in vitro.

[Relationship between hedgehog signaling pathway molecules and HPV16 infection in uterine cervical cancers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of sonic hedgehog (Shh), indian hedgehog (Ihh), smoothened (Smo) and patched (Ptch) expressions in uterine cervical lesions and their relationships with HPV type 16 infection. METHODS: Totally 183 cases of cervical lesions, including 32 non-neoplastic cervix, 71 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (28 CINI, 18 CINII, and 25 CINIII) and 80 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were selected from the Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanbian Women Hospital, and Yanbian Tumor Hospital. Shh, Ihh, Ptch and Smo proteins expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarry platform, and the presence of HPV type 16 was detected by PCR method. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed that the frequencies of Shh, Ihh, Ptch and Smo expression were rare in normal cervical epithelium, but were strongly expressed in cervical cancer and its precursor lesions (CINII/III) (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). In cervical cancer, the expression rate of Shh (95%) was higher than that of CIN (CINI to CINIII) (46.4%, 61.1%, 80.0%, respectively, P < 0.05). HPV16 was positive in 77.5% of SCC. In cervical cancer, the expression of Shh was related with HPV16 infection (P < 0.05), and the expression of Smo was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Shh, Ihh, Ptch, and Smo genes may play important roles in the development of cervical cancer. Detection of Hedgehog signaling pathway molecules seems helpful for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions, and are potentially therapeutic targets as well.

Clinicopathologic significance of nuclear grooves and inclusions in renal cell carcinoma: image database construction and quantitative scoring.

CONTEXT: Nuclear grooves and inclusions are major features of cancer. However, the nuclear irregularities in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have not yet been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinicopathologic significance of nuclear grooves and inclusions in RCC. DESIGN: The frequencies or scores of nuclear grooves and inclusions were compared with the histologic subtype, nuclear grade, and TNM stage, as well as overall survival of RCC patients. For objective counting of nuclear irregularities, a relational image database was constructed and used for quantitative assessment. RESULTS: Nuclear grooves and inclusions were seen in 96% and 65% of 110 RCC cases, respectively. The intranuclear inclusions were found more frequently in chromophobe and papillary types than in clear cell carcinoma (P < .001). The nuclear scores, the sum of grooves or inclusions per 5000 tumor cells, were highly related to the histologic subtype (P < .001). Clear cell RCCs with high inclusion scores (2 or more) were correlated with poorer overall survival in comparison to clear cell carcinomas with low inclusion scores (P = .04). The groove scores were highly associated with Fuhrman grade (P = .003) but not with overall survival of clear cell RCC patients (P = .65). In multivariate analysis, higher inclusion scores and advanced tumor stages (III/IV) were correlated with worse outcomes of clear cell RCC. CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear grooves and inclusions are histologic components of RCCs, especially chromophobe and papillary carcinomas. Furthermore, nuclear inclusions might be an independent prognostic factor for clear cell RCC.

[Study of p16(INK4A) expression and DNA ploidy in HPV-negative cervical cancers and precursors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological significance of p16(INK4A) expression and DNA ploidy status in HPV-negative uterine cervical cancers and their precursors. METHODS: HPV-negative cervical lesions, including 20 cases of cervicitis, 20 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN), 3 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasm (CGIN), 38 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) and 15 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma were selected and subject to screening for HPV infection by PCR method. The p16(INK4A) protein expression and DNA ploidy status were studied by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry respectively. RESULTS: Specific expression of p16(INK4A) was seen in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the dysplastic and malignant cells of CIN, CGIN, cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. In contrast, no expression was present in normal and inflammatory squamous or glandular epithelium. DNA aneuploidy was significantly more frequent in invasive SCCs and adenocarcinomas than in CIN (P < 0.01). Aneuploid was also more frequent in the lymph node positive group than lymph node negative group, although no statistic significance was found. Among the 8 cases of p16(INK4A) negative SCCs, two showed DNA aneuploidy. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical detection for p16(INK4A) can be an early diagnostic marker for HPV-negative cervical SCC and adenocarcinoma. DNA ploidy analysis may further assist the diagnosis of cervical malignancies.