Gain of human telomerase RNA gene is associated with progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia gradeⅠorⅡ

Background The 3q26 chromosome region,where the human telomerase RNA gene(hTERC) is located,is a biomarker for cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.The aim of this study was to confirm the value of measuring hTERC gene gain in predicting the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia gradeⅠorⅡ(CIN-Ⅰand -Ⅱ, respectively) to CIN-Ⅲand cervical cancer. Methods Liquid-based cytological samples from 54 patients with CIN-Ⅰor CIN-Ⅱlesions were enrolled in this study. Follow-up was performed with colposcopy and biopsy within 24 months after the diagnosis of CIN-Ⅰor CIN-Ⅱ.Copy numbers of the hTERC gene were measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization with a dual-color probe mix containing the hTERC gene probe(labeled red) and the control,the chromosome 3 centromere-specific probe(labeled green). Results All patients whose lesions progressed from CIN-Ⅰor CIN-Ⅱto CIN-Ⅲdisplayed a gain of the hTERC gene, whereas patients where the hTERC gene was not amplified did not subsequently progress to CIN-Ⅲor cervical cancer. The signal ratio pattern per cell was recorded as N:N(green:red).The numbers of cells with the signal ratio pattern of 4:4 or N:>5 in patients whose lesions progressed to CIN-Ⅲwere significantly higher than those whose lesions did not progress.Significantly,none of the patients with a 4:4 signal ratio pattern regressed spontaneously. Conclusions In conclusion,measurement of hTERC gene gain in CIN-Ⅰor CIN-Ⅱpatients using liquid-based cytological samples could be a useful biomarker to predict the progression of such cervical lesions.In addition,a 4:4 or N:≥5 signal ratio pattern may indicate the unlikeness of spontaneous regression of CIN-Ⅰor CIN-Ⅱlesions.