[Expression of HPV16 E6 protein in nonneoplastic epithelial disorder of the vulva and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the expression of high risk human papilloma virus (HPV) 16-E6 protein in non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva (NNEDV) and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (VSCC), and to explore whether HPV16-E6 protein is the etiological factor in NNEDV and its correlation with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulvae.

Methods: We detected HPV16-E6 protein expression in 15 normal vulvae cases, 40 NNEDV cases and 45 VSCC cases by immunohistochemistry SP method.

Results: The positive rate of HPV16-E6 in different vulva tissues: was 0% in the normal vulva, 30% in NNEDV and 66.67% in VSCC, respectively. The overall positive rate and two two comparison had statistical significance. In the NNEDV group, the positive rate of squamous hyperplasia type and lichen sclerosus type was 35% and 25%, respectively, with no statistical significance (P>0.05), but higher than that in the normal vulva skin group (P<0.05) and lower than that in the VSCC group (P<0.05). The positive rate of HPV16-E6 in VSCC was 66. 67%. The positive rate increased with the clinical stage. The positive rate between Phase I and Phase II, and that between Phase I and Phase III had statistical significance (P<0.017), but that between Phase II and Phase III had no statistical significance (P>0.017). The positive rate gradually decreased with the tumor differentiation. The difference in well-differentiated and poorly differentiated, moderately and poorly differentiated had statistical significance (P<0.017), but that of well-differentiated and moderately differentiated had no statistical significance (P>0.017). The positive rate of lymph node metastasis VSCC was significantly higher than that of non-lymph node metastasis VSCC (P<0.05).

Conclusion: HPV infection may be an etiological factor for NNEDV. The rise of HPV16-E6 positive rate may be related to the occurrence and development of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.