**Meet the editor**

Dr Rajamanickam Rajkumar (BSC, MBBS, MD, PhD, Colposcopy (UK & Ireland), FUICC, Hon. Member SCCPS Singapore) was inspired to become a doctor at school age by Christine Matthews - an Irish Missionary who worked at the Christian Medical College, Vellore. He did his postgraduate in Community Medicine and worked at the Christian Fellowship Community Health

Centre, Ambillikai, Tamil Nadu – under the mentorship of Padmabhushan Dr Jacob Cherian. Burdened by the large number of cervical cancer cases in this small rural hospital, Dr Rajkumar wrote to IARC/WHO for guidance to prevent and control cervical cancer. He initiated a rural population-based cancer registry with IARC in 1996, and following training in colposcopy and precancer management in UK and Ireland, he implemented a large scale screening program using the village workers in 2001. This IARC project was a great success. In 2011, in collaboration with the Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Singapore and The Ohio State University Medical Center, USA, Dr Rajkumar is forming the "Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Society in South India – COLPI" for training doctors and nurses in cervical cancer prevention.

Contents

**Preface IX** 

Chapter 2 **Community Based Cancer** 

Nokuthula Sibiya

Atara Ntekim

Chapter 5 **The Indicators of Predicting** 

Chapter 7 **Cervical Cancer Prevention by** 

Chapter 9 **The Clinical Outcome of Patients** 

Špela Smrkolj

Chapter 1 **Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening:** 

Sedigheh Sadat Tavafian

Rajamanickam Rajkumar

Chapter 3 **Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the** 

Chapter 4 **Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 51** 

Coralia Bleotu and Gabriela Anton

Chapter 8 **Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix 131** 

Chapter 6 **Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women 103**  Kenji Yoshida, Ryohei Sasaki, Hideki Nishimura, Daisuke Miyawaki and Kazuro Sugimura

Mongkol Benjapibal and Somsak Laiwejpithaya

Fernando Anschau, Chrystiane da Silva Marc,

**with Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma 139** 

**An Application of Health Belief Model 1** 

**Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 25** 

**Developing Countries: South African Context 39** 

**Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 75** 

**Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 115** 

Maria Carolina Torrens and Manoel Afonso Guimarães Gonçalves

### Contents



### Preface

Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in women, especially among those living in the poor socioeconomic conditions in the developing world. Much research has been done into possible treatments and preventative measures to hep combat the disease, and while there is a wealth of information and statistical evidence in terms of incidence, survival and mortality rates the challenge is to communicate what this means to the average person on the street.

If we can ensure that cervical cancer can be screened for at an early stage, effective precancer treatment can be given and an evidence-based cure can be developed by meticulous follow up, then, we are justified. Women empowerment, education and screening/treatment of cervical cancer preceded by affordable, acceptable and accessible strategies, will play a critical role.

This book by InTech – Open Access Publisher is a commendable project. If the chapters could inspire a worldwide crusade to prevent cerrvical cancer, especially among the most underprivileged women in the developing countries, the mission is fulfilled.

> **Dr Rajamanickam Rajkumar**  Professor, Community Medicine Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu India

**1** 

*Iran* 

Sedigheh Sadat Tavafian *Tarbiat Modares University* 

**Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening:** 

Worldwide, cervical carcinoma is one of the most common gynecologic malignant tumors and a leading cause of death from genital malignancies in women. Although, pap smear as a screening method has the potential to identify pre-cancerous lesions and could massively reduce the invasive disease in developed countries, developing countries could not significantly lower the rate of cervical cancer among general population through using this screening test. This chapter will review the factors influencing cervical cancer screening behavior. First, the state of pap smear up taking - as a method of screening - among women is described. Second, the structure of Health Belief Model and how the constructs of the model could predict health behavior of cervical cancer screening will be explained. Finally, the application of Health Belief Model intervention to improve the behavior of cervical

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the tenth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States (Ben-Natan, & Adir, 2009). Despite, fully preventable, cervical cancer is a major health problem in developing countries (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2008 ; Tristen et al., 1996; Abdullahi, 2009; Akbari et al., 2010). Cervical cancer is also a common type of cancer among women, especially in women 20–39 years of age. In several developed countries, the incidence of invasive cervical cancer has declined, which is largely attributed to early detection efforts. However, several subpopulations remain under screened, Active young women, minority women with language difficulties, and women with specific cultural health beliefs are at risk for this disease (Harlan et al., 1996; Snider 1996). It has been argued that the majority of cervical cancer as well as the most related deaths occur in low and medium income countries (Akbari et al., 2010). The patients who have been early diagnosed had survival rate much more than who suffering from more advanced stage of the disease. Papanicolaou or Pap smear test is a powerful cervical cytology screening test that could detect cervical cancer in premalignant stage that could be fully curable (Gakidou et al., 2008). This method of cervical cancer screening detects abnormal precancerous cells before they advance to cancer. Routine cervical cancer screening - every one to three years - is recommended by American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology to be begun in women three years after becoming

**1. Introduction** 

cancer screening among women will be discussed.

**2. Pap smear as a cervical cancer screening test** 

**An Application of Health Belief Model** 

### **Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model**

Sedigheh Sadat Tavafian *Tarbiat Modares University Iran* 

#### **1. Introduction**

Worldwide, cervical carcinoma is one of the most common gynecologic malignant tumors and a leading cause of death from genital malignancies in women. Although, pap smear as a screening method has the potential to identify pre-cancerous lesions and could massively reduce the invasive disease in developed countries, developing countries could not significantly lower the rate of cervical cancer among general population through using this screening test. This chapter will review the factors influencing cervical cancer screening behavior. First, the state of pap smear up taking - as a method of screening - among women is described. Second, the structure of Health Belief Model and how the constructs of the model could predict health behavior of cervical cancer screening will be explained. Finally, the application of Health Belief Model intervention to improve the behavior of cervical cancer screening among women will be discussed.

#### **2. Pap smear as a cervical cancer screening test**

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the tenth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States (Ben-Natan, & Adir, 2009). Despite, fully preventable, cervical cancer is a major health problem in developing countries (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2008 ; Tristen et al., 1996; Abdullahi, 2009; Akbari et al., 2010). Cervical cancer is also a common type of cancer among women, especially in women 20–39 years of age. In several developed countries, the incidence of invasive cervical cancer has declined, which is largely attributed to early detection efforts. However, several subpopulations remain under screened, Active young women, minority women with language difficulties, and women with specific cultural health beliefs are at risk for this disease (Harlan et al., 1996; Snider 1996). It has been argued that the majority of cervical cancer as well as the most related deaths occur in low and medium income countries (Akbari et al., 2010). The patients who have been early diagnosed had survival rate much more than who suffering from more advanced stage of the disease. Papanicolaou or Pap smear test is a powerful cervical cytology screening test that could detect cervical cancer in premalignant stage that could be fully curable (Gakidou et al., 2008). This method of cervical cancer screening detects abnormal precancerous cells before they advance to cancer. Routine cervical cancer screening - every one to three years - is recommended by American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology to be begun in women three years after becoming

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 3

frequent screenings as compared to other racial groups of women. Subsequently, this group of women experienced discrepancies in mortality rates related to cervical cancer when compared to other groups It has been showed that individuals' beliefs about the causes and significance of a particular illness were interconnected with their healthcare seeking behaviors. Al-Neggar RA and co-workers concluded that despite adequate knowledge regarding risk factors of cervical cancer, some misconceptions and wrong beliefs among young women could be resulted in poor practice of pap smear test ( Al- Neggar et al , 2010). One of theoretical models that could assess the beliefs of people regarding healthy behavior is Health Belief Model. In this section, the structure of Health Belief Model and its capability to predict the behaviors is explained. According to concepts of Health Belief Model, if individuals regard themselves as susceptible to a condition, believe that a course of action available to them would be beneficial in reducing either their susceptibility to or severity of the condition, and believe the anticipated benefit of taking action outweigh the barrier to

action, they are more likely to take action so that their beliefs will reduce their risks.

**3.1 Application of the Health Belief Model to cervical cancer screening behavior** 

Model constructs in the area of cervical cancer screening behavior is discussed.

The Health Belief Model has been used extensively to determine relationship between health beliefs and health behaviors as well as to inform interventions. In this section, the constructs of Health Belief Model is explained at the first and then the application of Health Belief

The perceived susceptibility refers to beliefs about the likelihood of getting a disease or condition. Perceived risk of contracting a disease refers to individuals' subjective perception of their susceptibility to the disease. For example, women must believe there is a possibility of getting cervical cancer before they will be interested in uptaking Pap smear. The health belief model predicts that women will be more likely to adhere the cervical cancer screening recommendation if they feel that they are susceptible to cervical cancer (Glanz et al., 2008). Previous study has shown that individuals who believed they had risk factors for cervical

The Health belief model was originally developed in the 1950s by a social psychologist in the U.S public Health Service to explain the widespread failure of people to participate in programs to prevent and detect disease. Later, the model was extended to study peoples' responses to symptoms and their behaviors in response to diagnosed illness, specially adherence to medical regimens (Glanz et al., 2008). This model aims to explain preventive health behaviors rather than behaviors in time of illness (Ben-Natan & Adir, 2009). Major health behaviors emphasized by the Health Belief Model focus on prevention exposure of diseases at their asymptomatic stage (Lee, 2000). The Health Belief Model contains several primary concepts that predict why people will take action to prevent, to screen for, or to control disease conditions. Thus, this model assumes that health behaviors are motivated by five elements of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits and perceived barriers to behavior, cues to action and most recently factor of perceived self

**3. Health belief model as a framework for predicting behaviors** 

efficacy (Champion & Skinner, 2008).

**3.1.1 Perceived susceptibility** 

sexually active or no later than by age 21 and continue to age 65 depending on screening history . In developed countries, extensive screening program through pap smear test, has declined the incidence of cervical cancer. In contrast, in most developing countries, comprehensive cervical cancer screenings are rare. Low participation of cervical cancer screening and low follow up of screening were evidenced by studies done in low resource countries like Botswana (Ibekwe1 2010; McFarland, 2003). However, in spite of advances in screening and treatment of cervical cancer during the past several decades, this disease remain a major health problem for Hispanic women, as many women have never had a Papanicolaou smear, or were not tested regularly (Harlan et al., 1991; Matuk,1996, Salazar, 1996). It has been stated that current screening programs in developing countries or among minorities faced obstacles such as insufficient supplies, inadequate trained health care providers; limited available services and lake of patient follow up procedure. Additionally, lack of appropriate programs in these countries indicates that the population may be at relatively higher risk for cancer mortality and morbidity due to delayed diagnosis. Inappropriate allocation of funds and human resources could also be a barrier to an effective and organized screening program in developing countries. These deficiencies caused the majority of cervical cancer cases referred to health care providers with late stage disease (Were, 2011). There are many evidences from different countries to suggest that women of lower socio-economic status (SES) are less likely to participate in cancer screening than those who are more advantaged (Coughlin et al., 2006, Datta et al., 2006, Lofters et al., 2007, Ackerson 2010) . In addition, lack of enough knowledge regarding preventable cervical cancer and also socio-cultural barriers such as embarrassment for pelvic examination have been argued as leading factors of not using available screening services regularly (Sankaranarayanan, 2008). Fear of the result of the test is another socio cultural barrier among different countries. Studies with Hispanic women reported fear of cancer, embarrassment, and limited English ability as major perceived barriers. In Hispanic women, great fear of cancer was associated with extreme fatalism about the disease. Most believed that cancer cannot be cured, and a diagnosis is considered a death sentence. This fear leaded to the avoidance of the subject and discussion of cancer (Bakemeier et al., 1995, , Frank-Stromborg et al., 1998) As a result, educational programs were often avoided, contributing to lack of optimal knowledge of screening practices (Chavez , 1997, Mandelblatt , 1999). Embarrassment was a stronger predictor of screening than perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of early detection in a study conducted by Richardson and colleagues (Richardson, 1987). A previous study examined the association between inadequate functional health literacy in Spanish among low-income Latinas and cervical cancer screening knowledge and behavior (Garbers & Chiasson, 2004). This study showed in compared to women with adequate and marginal health literacy, women with inadequate functional health literacy were significantly less likely to have ever had a Papanicolaou (Pap) test (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.37) or in the last three years (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.68) .This study verified even when controlling for other factors, women with inadequate health literacy were 16.7 times less likely to have ever had a Pap test. In 2006, American Cancer Society reported the American African women have a higher mortality rate due to cervical cancer when compared to all other groups of women. According to this report about 70 % of women diagnosed with cervical cancer had not received the Papanicolaou (Pap smear) test within the previous 5 years or had never obtained the screening test (American Cancer Society, 2006). One of the reasons for the deference in the mortality rate for American African women was that they tend to have less

sexually active or no later than by age 21 and continue to age 65 depending on screening history . In developed countries, extensive screening program through pap smear test, has declined the incidence of cervical cancer. In contrast, in most developing countries, comprehensive cervical cancer screenings are rare. Low participation of cervical cancer screening and low follow up of screening were evidenced by studies done in low resource countries like Botswana (Ibekwe1 2010; McFarland, 2003). However, in spite of advances in screening and treatment of cervical cancer during the past several decades, this disease remain a major health problem for Hispanic women, as many women have never had a Papanicolaou smear, or were not tested regularly (Harlan et al., 1991; Matuk,1996, Salazar, 1996). It has been stated that current screening programs in developing countries or among minorities faced obstacles such as insufficient supplies, inadequate trained health care providers; limited available services and lake of patient follow up procedure. Additionally, lack of appropriate programs in these countries indicates that the population may be at relatively higher risk for cancer mortality and morbidity due to delayed diagnosis. Inappropriate allocation of funds and human resources could also be a barrier to an effective and organized screening program in developing countries. These deficiencies caused the majority of cervical cancer cases referred to health care providers with late stage disease (Were, 2011). There are many evidences from different countries to suggest that women of lower socio-economic status (SES) are less likely to participate in cancer screening than those who are more advantaged (Coughlin et al., 2006, Datta et al., 2006, Lofters et al., 2007, Ackerson 2010) . In addition, lack of enough knowledge regarding preventable cervical cancer and also socio-cultural barriers such as embarrassment for pelvic examination have been argued as leading factors of not using available screening services regularly (Sankaranarayanan, 2008). Fear of the result of the test is another socio cultural barrier among different countries. Studies with Hispanic women reported fear of cancer, embarrassment, and limited English ability as major perceived barriers. In Hispanic women, great fear of cancer was associated with extreme fatalism about the disease. Most believed that cancer cannot be cured, and a diagnosis is considered a death sentence. This fear leaded to the avoidance of the subject and discussion of cancer (Bakemeier et al., 1995, , Frank-Stromborg et al., 1998) As a result, educational programs were often avoided, contributing to lack of optimal knowledge of screening practices (Chavez , 1997, Mandelblatt , 1999). Embarrassment was a stronger predictor of screening than perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of early detection in a study conducted by Richardson and colleagues (Richardson, 1987). A previous study examined the association between inadequate functional health literacy in Spanish among low-income Latinas and cervical cancer screening knowledge and behavior (Garbers & Chiasson, 2004). This study showed in compared to women with adequate and marginal health literacy, women with inadequate functional health literacy were significantly less likely to have ever had a Papanicolaou (Pap) test (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.37) or in the last three years (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.68) .This study verified even when controlling for other factors, women with inadequate health literacy were 16.7 times less likely to have ever had a Pap test. In 2006, American Cancer Society reported the American African women have a higher mortality rate due to cervical cancer when compared to all other groups of women. According to this report about 70 % of women diagnosed with cervical cancer had not received the Papanicolaou (Pap smear) test within the previous 5 years or had never obtained the screening test (American Cancer Society, 2006). One of the reasons for the deference in the mortality rate for American African women was that they tend to have less

frequent screenings as compared to other racial groups of women. Subsequently, this group of women experienced discrepancies in mortality rates related to cervical cancer when compared to other groups It has been showed that individuals' beliefs about the causes and significance of a particular illness were interconnected with their healthcare seeking behaviors. Al-Neggar RA and co-workers concluded that despite adequate knowledge regarding risk factors of cervical cancer, some misconceptions and wrong beliefs among young women could be resulted in poor practice of pap smear test ( Al- Neggar et al , 2010). One of theoretical models that could assess the beliefs of people regarding healthy behavior is Health Belief Model. In this section, the structure of Health Belief Model and its capability to predict the behaviors is explained. According to concepts of Health Belief Model, if individuals regard themselves as susceptible to a condition, believe that a course of action available to them would be beneficial in reducing either their susceptibility to or severity of the condition, and believe the anticipated benefit of taking action outweigh the barrier to action, they are more likely to take action so that their beliefs will reduce their risks.

#### **3. Health belief model as a framework for predicting behaviors**

The Health belief model was originally developed in the 1950s by a social psychologist in the U.S public Health Service to explain the widespread failure of people to participate in programs to prevent and detect disease. Later, the model was extended to study peoples' responses to symptoms and their behaviors in response to diagnosed illness, specially adherence to medical regimens (Glanz et al., 2008). This model aims to explain preventive health behaviors rather than behaviors in time of illness (Ben-Natan & Adir, 2009). Major health behaviors emphasized by the Health Belief Model focus on prevention exposure of diseases at their asymptomatic stage (Lee, 2000). The Health Belief Model contains several primary concepts that predict why people will take action to prevent, to screen for, or to control disease conditions. Thus, this model assumes that health behaviors are motivated by five elements of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits and perceived barriers to behavior, cues to action and most recently factor of perceived self efficacy (Champion & Skinner, 2008).

#### **3.1 Application of the Health Belief Model to cervical cancer screening behavior**

The Health Belief Model has been used extensively to determine relationship between health beliefs and health behaviors as well as to inform interventions. In this section, the constructs of Health Belief Model is explained at the first and then the application of Health Belief Model constructs in the area of cervical cancer screening behavior is discussed.

#### **3.1.1 Perceived susceptibility**

The perceived susceptibility refers to beliefs about the likelihood of getting a disease or condition. Perceived risk of contracting a disease refers to individuals' subjective perception of their susceptibility to the disease. For example, women must believe there is a possibility of getting cervical cancer before they will be interested in uptaking Pap smear. The health belief model predicts that women will be more likely to adhere the cervical cancer screening recommendation if they feel that they are susceptible to cervical cancer (Glanz et al., 2008). Previous study has shown that individuals who believed they had risk factors for cervical

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 5

Define population(s)at risk, risk levels Personalize risk based on a person's

Specify consequences of risks and

Define action to take; how where ,when; Clarify the positive effects to

Identify and reduce perceived barriers through reassurance, correction of misinformation, incentives , assistance

Provide how-to information, promote awareness, Use appropriate reminder

Table 1. Description of HEALTH BELIEF MODEL constructs.

Provide training and guidance in performing recommended action. Use progressive goal setting Give verbal reinforcement .Demonstrate desired

behaviors. Reduce anxiety

characteristics or behavior

conditions

be expected

systems

**Application Definition Concept** 

condition or disease

Belief about the Chances of experiencing a risk or getting a

Belief about how serious a condition and its sequel are

action to reduce risk or seriousness of impact

advised action

take action

disease treat (Glanz et al., 2008 ). For example, women must believe that a course of preventive behaviors available would be beneficial in reducing the risk of getting cervical cancer. Therefore, individuals exhibiting optimal beliefs in susceptibility and severity are not expected to accept any recommended health action unless they also perceive the action as potentially beneficial by reducing the treat. Ibekwe1 explored that either screened or never screened research participants overwhelmingly agree or strongly agree that it is important to do cervical cancer screening (Ibekwe1, 2010). This is consistent with studies in which the majority of subjects agreed that regular pap smear screening will give them peace of mind, find a problem before they become cancer and very necessary even if there is no family history of cancer (Leyva et al., 2006). The major reasons while both screeners and never screeners in Ibekwe1 study believed was that it is important to do cervical cancer screen because it could find changes in the cervix before they get cancer and the disease could easily be cured when found early. These reasons are consistent with findings of other studies (Agurto et al., 2004 ; Ibekwe1, 2010). As it was discussed before,Health belief model predicts that those with perceived benefits are more likely to take preventive actions, than those with no perceived benefits or low perceived benefits. Thus, it is most likely that the low uptake of cervical cancer screening among the participants took part in Ibekwel syudy could be attributed to other factors other than lack of perceived benefits (Ibekwe1, 2010). When in Ibekwe1 study participants and non-participants in cervical cancer screening were

Beliefs in efficacy of the advised

Belief about the tangible and psychological costs of the

Confidence in one's ability to

Strategies to activate "readiness" Cues to action

Perceived Susceptibility

Perceived Severity

Perceived benefits

Perceived barriers

Self efficacy

cancer, were more likwely to take action to prevent an adverse outcome subsequent to getting the disease (Saslow et al., 2002). Perception of not being at risk for cervical cancer has been verified as a reason for not obtaining pap smear test in previous studies (Mutyaba et al, 2006; Basu et al, 2006, Winkler et al, 2008 , Ibekwe1, 2010). A common emerging belief to cervical cancer screening in Hispanic women is that it is unnecessary or not needed to prevent cervical cancer. Among this target group a substantial proportion of women perceived Papanicolaou smears as unnecessary diagnostic procedures, rather than preventive health measures. In a study (Stein & Fox , 1990) showed Hispanic women do not view preventive health, such as cancer prevention, as a priority; as a result, they have an increased risk for diseases because of their curative rather than preventive health practices. In this regard, Hispanic women do not perceive their own vulnerability to cervical cancer and do not see themselves at risk.

#### **3.1.2 Perceived severity**

The perceived severity of a disease refers to the severity of a health problem as assessed by the individual. This variable refers to feeling about the seriousness of contracting an illness or of leaving it untreated include evaluations of medical/ clinical consequences like death, disability and pain or social consequences such as effects of the conditions on work, family life and social relations. For example, if women think that cervical cancer is a sever disease and believe that getting cervical cancer would have serious medical, social and economical consequences for them, it is more likely to obtain cervical cancer screening test. Having personal knowledge regarding the importance of the Pap smear has been evidenced as an important factor to take action to prevent the adverse outcome of cervical cancer (Saslow et al., 2002). A survey on the severity of cervical cancer among adult females in Quebec, found that 57% of women were afraid of developing cervical cancer sometime in their life, and 93% thought cervical cancer has serious consequences. Cervical cancer related anxiety and perceived seriousness did not vary by age group or level of education (Sauvageau et al., 2007). Although most participants perceived cervical cancer as serious, the thought of believing that there was no treatment of cervical cancer, makes them uninterested to doing cervical cancer screening test (Ibekwe1, 2010) . However, Hoque and coworkers, compared two groups of ever screened and never screened for cervical cancer. In a cross sectional study. in this evaluation, it was observed that both groups equally believed that there is effective treatments for cervical cancer, and that cervical cancer makes a woman's life difficult. Both the screened and the never screened believed that cervical cancer is as serious as other cancers; that it causes infertility and that death from cervical cancer is not rare. This study showed no significant association between perceived severity and screening for cervical cancer that differs with the hypothesis of the Health belief model that predicts perceived seriousness of a disease necessitate people to engage in preventive actions. Further research should be done to explore the reasons why at risk women fail to participate in cervical cancer screening (Hoque, 2009).

#### **3.1.3 Perceived benefits**

Even if a person perceives personal susceptibility to a serious health condition (perceived treat) , whether this perception leads to behavior change will be influenced by the person 's belief regarding the perceived benefits of the various available actions for reducing the

cancer, were more likwely to take action to prevent an adverse outcome subsequent to getting the disease (Saslow et al., 2002). Perception of not being at risk for cervical cancer has been verified as a reason for not obtaining pap smear test in previous studies (Mutyaba et al, 2006; Basu et al, 2006, Winkler et al, 2008 , Ibekwe1, 2010). A common emerging belief to cervical cancer screening in Hispanic women is that it is unnecessary or not needed to prevent cervical cancer. Among this target group a substantial proportion of women perceived Papanicolaou smears as unnecessary diagnostic procedures, rather than preventive health measures. In a study (Stein & Fox , 1990) showed Hispanic women do not view preventive health, such as cancer prevention, as a priority; as a result, they have an increased risk for diseases because of their curative rather than preventive health practices. In this regard, Hispanic women do not perceive their own vulnerability to cervical cancer

The perceived severity of a disease refers to the severity of a health problem as assessed by the individual. This variable refers to feeling about the seriousness of contracting an illness or of leaving it untreated include evaluations of medical/ clinical consequences like death, disability and pain or social consequences such as effects of the conditions on work, family life and social relations. For example, if women think that cervical cancer is a sever disease and believe that getting cervical cancer would have serious medical, social and economical consequences for them, it is more likely to obtain cervical cancer screening test. Having personal knowledge regarding the importance of the Pap smear has been evidenced as an important factor to take action to prevent the adverse outcome of cervical cancer (Saslow et al., 2002). A survey on the severity of cervical cancer among adult females in Quebec, found that 57% of women were afraid of developing cervical cancer sometime in their life, and 93% thought cervical cancer has serious consequences. Cervical cancer related anxiety and perceived seriousness did not vary by age group or level of education (Sauvageau et al., 2007). Although most participants perceived cervical cancer as serious, the thought of believing that there was no treatment of cervical cancer, makes them uninterested to doing cervical cancer screening test (Ibekwe1, 2010) . However, Hoque and coworkers, compared two groups of ever screened and never screened for cervical cancer. In a cross sectional study. in this evaluation, it was observed that both groups equally believed that there is effective treatments for cervical cancer, and that cervical cancer makes a woman's life difficult. Both the screened and the never screened believed that cervical cancer is as serious as other cancers; that it causes infertility and that death from cervical cancer is not rare. This study showed no significant association between perceived severity and screening for cervical cancer that differs with the hypothesis of the Health belief model that predicts perceived seriousness of a disease necessitate people to engage in preventive actions. Further research should be done to explore the reasons why at risk women fail to participate

Even if a person perceives personal susceptibility to a serious health condition (perceived treat) , whether this perception leads to behavior change will be influenced by the person 's belief regarding the perceived benefits of the various available actions for reducing the

and do not see themselves at risk.

in cervical cancer screening (Hoque, 2009).

**3.1.3 Perceived benefits** 

**3.1.2 Perceived severity** 


Table 1. Description of HEALTH BELIEF MODEL constructs.

disease treat (Glanz et al., 2008 ). For example, women must believe that a course of preventive behaviors available would be beneficial in reducing the risk of getting cervical cancer. Therefore, individuals exhibiting optimal beliefs in susceptibility and severity are not expected to accept any recommended health action unless they also perceive the action as potentially beneficial by reducing the treat. Ibekwe1 explored that either screened or never screened research participants overwhelmingly agree or strongly agree that it is important to do cervical cancer screening (Ibekwe1, 2010). This is consistent with studies in which the majority of subjects agreed that regular pap smear screening will give them peace of mind, find a problem before they become cancer and very necessary even if there is no family history of cancer (Leyva et al., 2006). The major reasons while both screeners and never screeners in Ibekwe1 study believed was that it is important to do cervical cancer screen because it could find changes in the cervix before they get cancer and the disease could easily be cured when found early. These reasons are consistent with findings of other studies (Agurto et al., 2004 ; Ibekwe1, 2010). As it was discussed before,Health belief model predicts that those with perceived benefits are more likely to take preventive actions, than those with no perceived benefits or low perceived benefits. Thus, it is most likely that the low uptake of cervical cancer screening among the participants took part in Ibekwel syudy could be attributed to other factors other than lack of perceived benefits (Ibekwe1, 2010). When in Ibekwe1 study participants and non-participants in cervical cancer screening were

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 7

to medical procedures which was mentioned in previous study( Ackerson K , 2010). However, in previous research, a link between an interpersonal or medical trauma history and routine screening was not indicated (Bazargan et al., 2004; Hoyo et al., 2005). Chung HH conducted a cross sectional study to document currently cervical cancer screening practices of physicians in Korea These researchers verified that cost has been a major reason for selecting screening method of liquid-based cytology instead of Pap smear (Chung, 2006). Obesity was reported as a barrier for cervical cancer screening in previous study(Wee, 2002). In this study. it was shown that overweight and obese women were less likely to be screened for cervical cancer with Pap smears, even after adjustment for other known barriers. In a study was conducted in 1998, it was revealed that among women who sought outpatient care, screening rates decreased while co - morbidity/chronic disease increased (Kiefe, 1998). Embarrassment is known to be a barrier to cervical screening, regardless of ethnic background, but in the study conducted among some Somali women, there was additional embarrassment associated with the potential reaction of the sample taker when faced with a circumcised woman. The anxiety of potentially being faced with a male sample taker was a significant problem for these Muslim women (Abdullahi, 2009, Naish, 1994, Nichols, 1987). Time consuming was a barrier to cancer prevention in previous syudy. A study addressed the house staff adherence to cervical cancer screening recommendations by United States Preventive Services Task Force, reported lack of time during postgraduate training was frequently reported as a barrier to obtaining preventive care( Ross et al, 2006). Low socioeconomic status, poverty, low levels of education, lack of knowledge, and acculturation have been established as reasons for the low screening rates in Hispanic women. Cost of cytology have been cited as problems for Hispanic women in the United States (Austin et al, 2002). Many Hispanic women strongly believed that the fear of finding cancer would deter them from screening (Salazar MK. , 1996). Several studies reported that many Hispanic women would prefer not to know the diagnosis of cervical cancer (Hubbell et al., 1996; Mandelblatt , 1999 ). Suarez and associates (Suarez , 1993) noted that 48% of the Mexican-American women they surveyed thought that their chances of surviving cervical cancer were poor and those who preferred to speak in Spanish tended to have more fatalistic attitudes. They often believed that there was nothing one could do to prevent cervical cancer. This powerlessness may account for some of the anxiety associated with cancer. According previous evidences, a major barrier to cancer screening was culturally based embarrassment and similar emotions ( Coyne , 1992, Bakemeier et al., 1995, Stein , 1990). The inability to speak English fluently interferes with Hispanic women's ability to obtain important health information and to communicate with health professionals. Women speaking only, or mostly, Spanish were consistently less likely to be screened for breast and cervical cancer. Language difficulties can deter referral and impede delivery of medical care

Various early information of the Health Belief Model included the concept of cues that can trigger actions. Readiness to action (Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits) could only be potentiated by other factors particularly by cues to instigate action such as bodily events or by environmental events such as media publicity (Glanz et al., 2008). For example, women would be more likely to have preventive behavior like uptaking Pap smear if they be reminded by their family members or heath care providers. The influence of cues on

(Harlan , et al1991).

**3.1.5 Cues to action** 

compared, it was found that there was no significant association between perceived benefits of doing cervical cancer screening and cervical cancer screening , and this was consistent with previous studies (Agurto et al., 2004; Leyva et al., 2006). The study did not find any significant association between socio-demographic characteristics and perceived benefits of doing cervical cancer screening as both the ever screened and the never screened irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristics overwhelming agree or strongly agree that it was important to do cervical cancer screening. (Ibekwe1, 2010). This finding is consistent with findings of other studies in which participants across all socio-demographic characteristics generally were aware of the benefits of cervical cancer screening (Leyva et al., 2006). However, continue education to clear misconceptions are still required to ensure increased uptake of cervical cancer screening among the eligible women especially among those that are high risk ( Ibekwe1, 2010).

#### **3.1.4 Perceived barriers**

Perceived barriers to action refers to the negative aspects of health-oriented actions or which serve as barriers to action and/or that arouse conflicting incentives to avoid action. Perceived barrier refers to the potential negative aspects of particular health action may act as impediments to undertaking recommended behaviors. A kind of nonconscious, cost effective analysis occurs wherein individuals weight the action expected benefits with perceived barriers such as it could help me, but it may be expensive, have negative side effects, and be unpleasant, inconvenient or time consuming. Thus combined levels of susceptibility and severity provide the energy of force to act and the perception of benefits (minus barrier) provide a proffered path of action (Glanz et al., 2008). For example, if women believe that anticipated benefit of doing behaviors to prevent cervical cancer outweigh the barriers to or cost of the preventive behaviors, they are more probably to obtain cervical cancer screening test. Previous researchers also have reported that women who perceived the Pap smear testing process as painful and embarrassing due to visiting by male provider had lower rates of routine cervical cancer screening (Boyer etal.,2001 ; Hoyo et al., 2005; Jennings, 1997, Ackerson K , 2010, Abdullahi 2009). In this study, Some participants from the focus groups and interviews mentioned off-putting experiences that they had experienced themselves or heard from others acting as a barrier to attending screening. Such negative experiences included experiencing pain, bleeding and being faced with inexperienced sample takers who did not explain the process or enable them to ask questions (Abdullahi 2009). In this study, language difficulties were thought to not only detract from women's understanding of the test and thus the perceived need for screening, but also to prevent some women from attending, due to anxiety about not being able to understand the sample taker or not being able to ask questions and form a trusting relationship. Even if the participants took part in the study appreciated the need for screening, fear of the test was cited as a hindrance to some women, Furthermore, the metal speculum was perceived as a painful instrument and some did not trust the sterilization process. Fear of the test results was also thought to prevent some women from coming forward for screening. (Abdullahi 2009). Fear that abnormal test results mean existing cancer has been reported as a barrier to do Pap smear in previous researches (Mutyaba et al, 2006; Basu et al, 2006 ; Winkler et al., 2008, Were E1, 2011). The other factors that appeared to cause negative perceptions and act as barriers to cervical cancer screening was a previous history of trauma like childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and trauma related to medical procedures which was mentioned in previous study( Ackerson K , 2010). However, in previous research, a link between an interpersonal or medical trauma history and routine screening was not indicated (Bazargan et al., 2004; Hoyo et al., 2005). Chung HH conducted a cross sectional study to document currently cervical cancer screening practices of physicians in Korea These researchers verified that cost has been a major reason for selecting screening method of liquid-based cytology instead of Pap smear (Chung, 2006). Obesity was reported as a barrier for cervical cancer screening in previous study(Wee, 2002). In this study. it was shown that overweight and obese women were less likely to be screened for cervical cancer with Pap smears, even after adjustment for other known barriers. In a study was conducted in 1998, it was revealed that among women who sought outpatient care, screening rates decreased while co - morbidity/chronic disease increased (Kiefe, 1998). Embarrassment is known to be a barrier to cervical screening, regardless of ethnic background, but in the study conducted among some Somali women, there was additional embarrassment associated with the potential reaction of the sample taker when faced with a circumcised woman. The anxiety of potentially being faced with a male sample taker was a significant problem for these Muslim women (Abdullahi, 2009, Naish, 1994, Nichols, 1987). Time consuming was a barrier to cancer prevention in previous syudy. A study addressed the house staff adherence to cervical cancer screening recommendations by United States Preventive Services Task Force, reported lack of time during postgraduate training was frequently reported as a barrier to obtaining preventive care( Ross et al, 2006). Low socioeconomic status, poverty, low levels of education, lack of knowledge, and acculturation have been established as reasons for the low screening rates in Hispanic women. Cost of cytology have been cited as problems for Hispanic women in the United States (Austin et al, 2002). Many Hispanic women strongly believed that the fear of finding cancer would deter them from screening (Salazar MK. , 1996). Several studies reported that many Hispanic women would prefer not to know the diagnosis of cervical cancer (Hubbell et al., 1996; Mandelblatt , 1999 ). Suarez and associates (Suarez , 1993) noted that 48% of the Mexican-American women they surveyed thought that their chances of surviving cervical cancer were poor and those who preferred to speak in Spanish tended to have more fatalistic attitudes. They often believed that there was nothing one could do to prevent cervical cancer. This powerlessness may account for some of the anxiety associated with cancer. According previous evidences, a major barrier to cancer screening was culturally based embarrassment and similar emotions ( Coyne , 1992, Bakemeier et al., 1995, Stein , 1990). The inability to speak English fluently interferes with Hispanic women's ability to obtain important health information and to communicate with health professionals. Women speaking only, or mostly, Spanish were consistently less likely to be screened for breast and cervical cancer. Language difficulties can deter referral and impede delivery of medical care (Harlan , et al1991).

#### **3.1.5 Cues to action**

6 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

compared, it was found that there was no significant association between perceived benefits of doing cervical cancer screening and cervical cancer screening , and this was consistent with previous studies (Agurto et al., 2004; Leyva et al., 2006). The study did not find any significant association between socio-demographic characteristics and perceived benefits of doing cervical cancer screening as both the ever screened and the never screened irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristics overwhelming agree or strongly agree that it was important to do cervical cancer screening. (Ibekwe1, 2010). This finding is consistent with findings of other studies in which participants across all socio-demographic characteristics generally were aware of the benefits of cervical cancer screening (Leyva et al., 2006). However, continue education to clear misconceptions are still required to ensure increased uptake of cervical cancer screening among the eligible women especially among

Perceived barriers to action refers to the negative aspects of health-oriented actions or which serve as barriers to action and/or that arouse conflicting incentives to avoid action. Perceived barrier refers to the potential negative aspects of particular health action may act as impediments to undertaking recommended behaviors. A kind of nonconscious, cost effective analysis occurs wherein individuals weight the action expected benefits with perceived barriers such as it could help me, but it may be expensive, have negative side effects, and be unpleasant, inconvenient or time consuming. Thus combined levels of susceptibility and severity provide the energy of force to act and the perception of benefits (minus barrier) provide a proffered path of action (Glanz et al., 2008). For example, if women believe that anticipated benefit of doing behaviors to prevent cervical cancer outweigh the barriers to or cost of the preventive behaviors, they are more probably to obtain cervical cancer screening test. Previous researchers also have reported that women who perceived the Pap smear testing process as painful and embarrassing due to visiting by male provider had lower rates of routine cervical cancer screening (Boyer etal.,2001 ; Hoyo et al., 2005; Jennings, 1997, Ackerson K , 2010, Abdullahi 2009). In this study, Some participants from the focus groups and interviews mentioned off-putting experiences that they had experienced themselves or heard from others acting as a barrier to attending screening. Such negative experiences included experiencing pain, bleeding and being faced with inexperienced sample takers who did not explain the process or enable them to ask questions (Abdullahi 2009). In this study, language difficulties were thought to not only detract from women's understanding of the test and thus the perceived need for screening, but also to prevent some women from attending, due to anxiety about not being able to understand the sample taker or not being able to ask questions and form a trusting relationship. Even if the participants took part in the study appreciated the need for screening, fear of the test was cited as a hindrance to some women, Furthermore, the metal speculum was perceived as a painful instrument and some did not trust the sterilization process. Fear of the test results was also thought to prevent some women from coming forward for screening. (Abdullahi 2009). Fear that abnormal test results mean existing cancer has been reported as a barrier to do Pap smear in previous researches (Mutyaba et al, 2006; Basu et al, 2006 ; Winkler et al., 2008, Were E1, 2011). The other factors that appeared to cause negative perceptions and act as barriers to cervical cancer screening was a previous history of trauma like childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and trauma related

those that are high risk ( Ibekwe1, 2010).

**3.1.4 Perceived barriers** 

Various early information of the Health Belief Model included the concept of cues that can trigger actions. Readiness to action (Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits) could only be potentiated by other factors particularly by cues to instigate action such as bodily events or by environmental events such as media publicity (Glanz et al., 2008). For example, women would be more likely to have preventive behavior like uptaking Pap smear if they be reminded by their family members or heath care providers. The influence of cues on

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 9

(Perez-Stable , 1992). In Ontario, lay health workers have been found to be important positive cues to action for Hispanic women. Churches are also important vehicles to reach Hispanic women. Castro et al, reported positive church involvement in cancer screening practices of Latina women (Castro , 1995). Other researchers have found that churches provide a social influence to participation in cancer screening among Hispanic women (Frank-Stromborg , 1998, Zavertnik , 1993, Davis , 1994) The "Companeros en la Salud" program delivers educational programs at churches, and preliminary results are expected to show an increase in Papanicolaou smears and mammography among Latina women. Written materials are also used as cues to action. Specific educational materials (e.g., brochures, community newspapers), usually apart from community outreach programs, are effective in providing information to Hispanics if they are culturally sensitive, and written in Spanish at a grade (Snider et al., 1996) reading level to improve understanding among low-literacy individuals. One effective way to reach Hispanic women may be through media-based public health campaigns. However, such programs are effective only when delivered and implemented in a culturally meaningful and sensitive manner. Vellozzi et al. indicated that Hispanic women may be more receptive to media messages than are other ethnic groups (Vellozzi , 1996). In "A Su Salad" program, media messages (TV, radio, and newspaper) have been integrated successfully with community-based outreach( Suarez, 1993b, Anderson et al., 2009). Salazar indicated that the media increased Hispanic women's

Perceived self efficacy is defined as the conviction that one can successfully execute the behavior required to produce the outcomes. For behavior change to succeed, people must feel threatened by their current behavioral pattern ( perceived susceptibility and severity ) and believe that change of a specific kind will result in a valued outcome at an acceptable cost ( perceived benefit ). Then, they also must feel themselves competent (self – efficacious) to overcome perceived barriers to take actions. For example, women should be confident

Divers demographic, sociopsychological, knowledge, socio cultural, race , education and structural variables may influence perception and thus, indirectly affect on health related behavior (Glanze 2008). For example , socio demographic factors , particularly educational attainment, are believed to have an indirect effect on behavior of cervical cancer screening , through influencing the perception of susceptibility to getting the disease, severity of the disease and benefits of this screen behavior that overcome to the perceived barriers. Studies conducted among divers samples have found some differences in the specific types of beliefs about susceptibility, benefits and barriers among different racial and ethnic groups. Different groups have different beliefs about the causes of cervical cancer, which can affect perceived susceptibility. Hispanic women were afraid that they would not be able to cope with the disease. One research group noted that low-acculturated Mexican-American women expressed a stronger fear of cancer than did high-acculturated women (Balcazar , 1995). A study conducted in somali showed that knowledge about the purpose of cervical screening was limited among Somali women. There was also a lack of understanding of risk

willingness to openly discuss breast cancer ( Salazar , 1996).

that they could uptake pop smear in a regular manner.

**3.1.6 Perceived self efficacy** 

**3.1.7 Other variables** 

women to practice cervical cancer screening behavior has been reported by previous evidences. Ackerson has investigated the role of cues for obtaining pap smear test and resulted that health care providers were influential cues for studied participants by giving information regarding the importance of the test ( Ackerson K , 2010). Furthermore, the Pap smear users in Ackerson study were more encouraged by health care providers and family members to do the test compared to other individuals who did not obtain the test. In the country of Australia, health care system is a good cues for women to obtain cervical cancer screening .In this country all people accessing high quality cancer control, whether it be prevention, screening, treatment or education. In addition, non-government organizations (NGOs) specializing in cancer control have been providing free or highly subsidized support services to patients and their families for over half a century in most states. These NGOs have also been very active in public education about cancer, especially cancer prevention and act as cues for women (Burton, 2002). In previous research recommendation by GPs and health care providers as well as written and oral information were considered as cues to action for cervical cancer screening (Abdullahi 2009). According to this study, many participants had first attended screening as a result of their GP's advice so that GPs were proactive in encouraging Somali women to take up screening. Regarding preferred formats of screening information, Somalian participants stated that it was necessary for information to be given in Somali language. They explained that, in view of the cultural significance of talking in this culture, they responded better to verbal than written information, such as being told by a friend or a Somali community worker through talks or workshops in community settings. Written information was considered unsuitable cues to action by some due to low levels of literacy among Somalis, although others felt that it was a useful adjunct (Abdullahi 2009). The integral role of nurses in educating women regarding health preventive care, especially the importance of routine cervical cancer screening was stressed in other study(Ackerson, 2010). This study confirmed nurses are in a position to influence positive health behavior, so they should inform women about the purpose of the Pap smear test, while assessing the woman's personal risk factors for cervical cancer, and her beliefs and perceptions regarding Pap smears. Many studies have identified positive cues to cancer screening in Hispanic women. These include physician recommendation, lay health workers, written materials, and media. Physician recommendation is one of the most important cues to cancer screening. Physicians play a key role in informing women of the benefits of screening (O'Malley , 2001) . Similar results were observed in previous evidence (Zambrana et al , 1999). The respect for authority is an important characteristic of Hispanic culture. Latinas consider doctors as powerful authority figures and have a tendency to listen to what doctors say, but rarely show self-initiated health care behaviors. The role of physician is especially important for older minority women ( Rimer , 1994, Mandelblatt & Yabroff , 2000). Community outreach strategies are the most common health promotion, and probably most effective strategies employed by health care workers, researchers, and health promotion officers. Community outreach strategies include the use of appropriate language materials, involvement of lay health workers, and presentations at community and workplace settings. Lay health workers are trained personnel from the Hispanic community whose main job is to educate women on the benefits of Papanicolaou screening and mammography to reduce perceived barriers to screening. Several studies report that the involvement of the community is effective in the development, planning, and delivery of the screening programs (Eng et al., 1997, Zavertnik, 1993). Impressive results in cervical and breast screening behaviors were obtained in the Hispanic community living in California

(Perez-Stable , 1992). In Ontario, lay health workers have been found to be important positive cues to action for Hispanic women. Churches are also important vehicles to reach Hispanic women. Castro et al, reported positive church involvement in cancer screening practices of Latina women (Castro , 1995). Other researchers have found that churches provide a social influence to participation in cancer screening among Hispanic women (Frank-Stromborg , 1998, Zavertnik , 1993, Davis , 1994) The "Companeros en la Salud" program delivers educational programs at churches, and preliminary results are expected to show an increase in Papanicolaou smears and mammography among Latina women. Written materials are also used as cues to action. Specific educational materials (e.g., brochures, community newspapers), usually apart from community outreach programs, are effective in providing information to Hispanics if they are culturally sensitive, and written in Spanish at a grade (Snider et al., 1996) reading level to improve understanding among low-literacy individuals. One effective way to reach Hispanic women may be through media-based public health campaigns. However, such programs are effective only when delivered and implemented in a culturally meaningful and sensitive manner. Vellozzi et al. indicated that Hispanic women may be more receptive to media messages than are other ethnic groups (Vellozzi , 1996). In "A Su Salad" program, media messages (TV, radio, and newspaper) have been integrated successfully with community-based outreach( Suarez, 1993b, Anderson et al., 2009). Salazar indicated that the media increased Hispanic women's willingness to openly discuss breast cancer ( Salazar , 1996).

#### **3.1.6 Perceived self efficacy**

8 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

women to practice cervical cancer screening behavior has been reported by previous evidences. Ackerson has investigated the role of cues for obtaining pap smear test and resulted that health care providers were influential cues for studied participants by giving information regarding the importance of the test ( Ackerson K , 2010). Furthermore, the Pap smear users in Ackerson study were more encouraged by health care providers and family members to do the test compared to other individuals who did not obtain the test. In the country of Australia, health care system is a good cues for women to obtain cervical cancer screening .In this country all people accessing high quality cancer control, whether it be prevention, screening, treatment or education. In addition, non-government organizations (NGOs) specializing in cancer control have been providing free or highly subsidized support services to patients and their families for over half a century in most states. These NGOs have also been very active in public education about cancer, especially cancer prevention and act as cues for women (Burton, 2002). In previous research recommendation by GPs and health care providers as well as written and oral information were considered as cues to action for cervical cancer screening (Abdullahi 2009). According to this study, many participants had first attended screening as a result of their GP's advice so that GPs were proactive in encouraging Somali women to take up screening. Regarding preferred formats of screening information, Somalian participants stated that it was necessary for information to be given in Somali language. They explained that, in view of the cultural significance of talking in this culture, they responded better to verbal than written information, such as being told by a friend or a Somali community worker through talks or workshops in community settings. Written information was considered unsuitable cues to action by some due to low levels of literacy among Somalis, although others felt that it was a useful adjunct (Abdullahi 2009). The integral role of nurses in educating women regarding health preventive care, especially the importance of routine cervical cancer screening was stressed in other study(Ackerson, 2010). This study confirmed nurses are in a position to influence positive health behavior, so they should inform women about the purpose of the Pap smear test, while assessing the woman's personal risk factors for cervical cancer, and her beliefs and perceptions regarding Pap smears. Many studies have identified positive cues to cancer screening in Hispanic women. These include physician recommendation, lay health workers, written materials, and media. Physician recommendation is one of the most important cues to cancer screening. Physicians play a key role in informing women of the benefits of screening (O'Malley , 2001) . Similar results were observed in previous evidence (Zambrana et al , 1999). The respect for authority is an important characteristic of Hispanic culture. Latinas consider doctors as powerful authority figures and have a tendency to listen to what doctors say, but rarely show self-initiated health care behaviors. The role of physician is especially important for older minority women ( Rimer , 1994, Mandelblatt & Yabroff , 2000). Community outreach strategies are the most common health promotion, and probably most effective strategies employed by health care workers, researchers, and health promotion officers. Community outreach strategies include the use of appropriate language materials, involvement of lay health workers, and presentations at community and workplace settings. Lay health workers are trained personnel from the Hispanic community whose main job is to educate women on the benefits of Papanicolaou screening and mammography to reduce perceived barriers to screening. Several studies report that the involvement of the community is effective in the development, planning, and delivery of the screening programs (Eng et al., 1997, Zavertnik, 1993). Impressive results in cervical and breast screening behaviors were obtained in the Hispanic community living in California

Perceived self efficacy is defined as the conviction that one can successfully execute the behavior required to produce the outcomes. For behavior change to succeed, people must feel threatened by their current behavioral pattern ( perceived susceptibility and severity ) and believe that change of a specific kind will result in a valued outcome at an acceptable cost ( perceived benefit ). Then, they also must feel themselves competent (self – efficacious) to overcome perceived barriers to take actions. For example, women should be confident that they could uptake pop smear in a regular manner.

#### **3.1.7 Other variables**

Divers demographic, sociopsychological, knowledge, socio cultural, race , education and structural variables may influence perception and thus, indirectly affect on health related behavior (Glanze 2008). For example , socio demographic factors , particularly educational attainment, are believed to have an indirect effect on behavior of cervical cancer screening , through influencing the perception of susceptibility to getting the disease, severity of the disease and benefits of this screen behavior that overcome to the perceived barriers. Studies conducted among divers samples have found some differences in the specific types of beliefs about susceptibility, benefits and barriers among different racial and ethnic groups. Different groups have different beliefs about the causes of cervical cancer, which can affect perceived susceptibility. Hispanic women were afraid that they would not be able to cope with the disease. One research group noted that low-acculturated Mexican-American women expressed a stronger fear of cancer than did high-acculturated women (Balcazar , 1995). A study conducted in somali showed that knowledge about the purpose of cervical screening was limited among Somali women. There was also a lack of understanding of risk

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 11

Pap smear is unnecessary unless one is ill (Johnson CE, 2008). This study revealed that some unique beliefs were common among specific cultural groups. For example, Hispanic women noted some body-focused notions and believed that childbirth, menses, sex, and stress play a role in one's susceptibility to cervical cancer. African Americans identified administrative processes in establishing health care as barriers to screening, whereas Asian immigrants held a variety of misconceptions concerning one's susceptibility to cancer as well as stigmatization imposed by their own community and providers. This study concluded health care providers and policy makers must be cognizant of the various sociocultural factors influencing health-related beliefs and health care utilization among immigrant and ethnic minorities in the United States. Culturally relevant screening strategies and programs that address these socio cultural factors must be developed to address the growing disparity in cervical cancer burden among underserved, resource-poor populations in the United States . Vietnamese American women are five times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than their White counterparts. Previous research has demonstrated low levels of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing among Vietnamese. Taylor VM and co-workers conducted a population-based, in-person survey of Vietnamese women aged 18 - 64 years to examine factors associated with interval Pap testing adherence. In this study the beliefs including Pap tests decrease the risk of cervical cancer , cervical cancer is curable if detected early, testing is necessary for women who are asymptomatic, sexually inactive, or postmenopausal , concern about pain/discomfort as a barrier to screening; family member(s) and friend(s) had suggested testing (social support); doctor(s) had recommended testing communication with health care providers were explored as predictor variables for obtaining pap smear (Taylor VM, 2004). In a multivariate analysis, this study showed being married, knowing Pap testing is necessary for asymptomatic women, doctor(s) had recommended testing, and had asked doctor(s) for testing were independently associated with screening participation (Taylor et al., 2004) . Fear, embarrassment, and cost were more likely to be barrier to adherence cervical cancer screening recommendation among Asian women compared to white women ( Ross, 2008). Finally, in addition to differences in specific perceptions about susceptibility, benefits and barriers among different racial or ethnic groups, researchers have found differences by race in exploratory of Health Belief Model constructs. Racial and ethnic disparities in cervical cancer screening have been attributed to socioeconomic, insurance, and cultural differences. A previous study evaluated the relationship between U.S. citizenship status and the receipt of Pap smears among immigrant women in this study California Citizen immigrants were significantly more likely to report receiving a Pap smear ever (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.08), a recent Pap smear (aPR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.11) as compared to immigrants who are not U.S. citizens (DE Alba, 2005).. Also variables like income, having a usual source care, and having health insurance were associated with receiving cancer screening. This study showed Hispanic women were more likely to receive Pap smears as compared to whites and Asians (DE Alba, 2005). Foreign birthplace may explain some disparities previously attributed to race or ethnicity, and is an important barrier to cancer screening, even after adjustment for other factors. Increasing access to health care may improve disparities among foreign-born persons to some degree. Results from previous research, showed black respondents were as or more likely to report cancer screening than white respondents; however, Hispanic and Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) respondents were significantly less likely to report screening for most cancers. When race/ethnicity and birthplace were considered together, U.S.-born Hispanic

factors for cervical cancer, and many of the women held fatalistic attitudes, associated with the idea of 'God's will', about this cancer and other aspects of health. Somalis are almost all Muslim and their view of health is typically shaped by a combination of traditional Somali and Islamic beliefs, with most believing that illness and healing only occur by the will of God. It is important therefore to recognize that some Somalis may wrongly interpret Islam as not allowing disease prevention interventions (Abduullahi 2009). Researchers have found that Latinas hold more fatalistic attitudes about cervical cancer (Chavez , 1997). This attitude stemed from the belief that there was little an individual could do to alter fate or prevent cancer. Latinas often believed that cancer is God's punishment for improper or immoral behavior (Hubbell FA, 1996). Another culturally specific barrier was embarrassment associated with female circumcision, i.e. female genital mutilation. Embarrassment about discussion of private body parts and embarrassment at exposing private body parts during a physical examination may pose a barrier for some Hispanics, especially if examined by a male physician ( Frank-Stromborg et al., 1998), Accordingly, gender of the physician may determine breast and cervical cancer screening uptake and compliance in this community. Hispanic women may also be embarrassed to disclose personal information related to their sexual activity to another person besides their partner. Limited proficiency in the language of the host country has also been identified as a barrier to cancer screening. This variable has been shown to provide a reliable prediction of the use of preventive health care among minority women ( Stein & Fox , 1990). The other culturally barrier that was consistently mentioned by the participants who took part in the focus groups and interviewees from Somali was embarrassment as a hindrance to attending screening. Most of these women viewed the test as intrusive and uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally. For some, the embarrassment associated with having been circumcised was an additional barrier. Although they were not ashamed of this, they anticipated embarrassment associated with the shocked reaction of the sample taker to their circumcision. In all of the focus group discussions and six of the eight interviews, participants explained that for Muslim women, the possibility of having a man perform the test was a significant barrier. Many participants were unaware that they could request a woman to undertake the test ( Abdullahi 2009) .Other variables suggested by the participants were: lack of knowledge about the need for cervical screening, practical problems such as appointment times and childcare needs, language difficulties, fear of the test and negative past experiences. Determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening services include age, education, contraception use and being married (Objechina, 2009). Women with low educational achievement, low awareness of the risk factors for cervical cancer, and who do not have support from their husbands may also have poor uptake of screening services (Allahverdipour H, 2008; Abdullahi, 2009). In previous study which was conducted by Ackerson K, twenty-four participants were divided into two groups based on whether they did or did not get routine Pap smears . The results showed there were differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and social characteristics, having previous health care experience as well as cognitive appraisal related to beliefs and perceptions of vulnerability (Ackerson K , 2010). Monthly income and residential area were significantly associated with perceived severity (Houqe 2009). Certain types of barriers are more or less important for particular cultural or ethnic subgroups. Thus, women who had such belief might consider their susceptibility to cervical cancer was quite low. In a systematic review was conducted by Johnson CE in 2008, commonly held beliefs across several cultural groups emerged included fatalistic attitudes, a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer, fear of Pap smears threatening one's virginity, as well as beliefs that a

factors for cervical cancer, and many of the women held fatalistic attitudes, associated with the idea of 'God's will', about this cancer and other aspects of health. Somalis are almost all Muslim and their view of health is typically shaped by a combination of traditional Somali and Islamic beliefs, with most believing that illness and healing only occur by the will of God. It is important therefore to recognize that some Somalis may wrongly interpret Islam as not allowing disease prevention interventions (Abduullahi 2009). Researchers have found that Latinas hold more fatalistic attitudes about cervical cancer (Chavez , 1997). This attitude stemed from the belief that there was little an individual could do to alter fate or prevent cancer. Latinas often believed that cancer is God's punishment for improper or immoral behavior (Hubbell FA, 1996). Another culturally specific barrier was embarrassment associated with female circumcision, i.e. female genital mutilation. Embarrassment about discussion of private body parts and embarrassment at exposing private body parts during a physical examination may pose a barrier for some Hispanics, especially if examined by a male physician ( Frank-Stromborg et al., 1998), Accordingly, gender of the physician may determine breast and cervical cancer screening uptake and compliance in this community. Hispanic women may also be embarrassed to disclose personal information related to their sexual activity to another person besides their partner. Limited proficiency in the language of the host country has also been identified as a barrier to cancer screening. This variable has been shown to provide a reliable prediction of the use of preventive health care among minority women ( Stein & Fox , 1990). The other culturally barrier that was consistently mentioned by the participants who took part in the focus groups and interviewees from Somali was embarrassment as a hindrance to attending screening. Most of these women viewed the test as intrusive and uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally. For some, the embarrassment associated with having been circumcised was an additional barrier. Although they were not ashamed of this, they anticipated embarrassment associated with the shocked reaction of the sample taker to their circumcision. In all of the focus group discussions and six of the eight interviews, participants explained that for Muslim women, the possibility of having a man perform the test was a significant barrier. Many participants were unaware that they could request a woman to undertake the test ( Abdullahi 2009) .Other variables suggested by the participants were: lack of knowledge about the need for cervical screening, practical problems such as appointment times and childcare needs, language difficulties, fear of the test and negative past experiences. Determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening services include age, education, contraception use and being married (Objechina, 2009). Women with low educational achievement, low awareness of the risk factors for cervical cancer, and who do not have support from their husbands may also have poor uptake of screening services (Allahverdipour H, 2008; Abdullahi, 2009). In previous study which was conducted by Ackerson K, twenty-four participants were divided into two groups based on whether they did or did not get routine Pap smears . The results showed there were differences between the two groups in terms of demographic and social characteristics, having previous health care experience as well as cognitive appraisal related to beliefs and perceptions of vulnerability (Ackerson K , 2010). Monthly income and residential area were significantly associated with perceived severity (Houqe 2009). Certain types of barriers are more or less important for particular cultural or ethnic subgroups. Thus, women who had such belief might consider their susceptibility to cervical cancer was quite low. In a systematic review was conducted by Johnson CE in 2008, commonly held beliefs across several cultural groups emerged included fatalistic attitudes, a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer, fear of Pap smears threatening one's virginity, as well as beliefs that a

Pap smear is unnecessary unless one is ill (Johnson CE, 2008). This study revealed that some unique beliefs were common among specific cultural groups. For example, Hispanic women noted some body-focused notions and believed that childbirth, menses, sex, and stress play a role in one's susceptibility to cervical cancer. African Americans identified administrative processes in establishing health care as barriers to screening, whereas Asian immigrants

held a variety of misconceptions concerning one's susceptibility to cancer as well as stigmatization imposed by their own community and providers. This study concluded health care providers and policy makers must be cognizant of the various sociocultural factors influencing health-related beliefs and health care utilization among immigrant and ethnic minorities in the United States. Culturally relevant screening strategies and programs that address these socio cultural factors must be developed to address the growing disparity in cervical cancer burden among underserved, resource-poor populations in the United States . Vietnamese American women are five times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than their White counterparts. Previous research has demonstrated low levels of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing among Vietnamese. Taylor VM and co-workers conducted a population-based, in-person survey of Vietnamese women aged 18 - 64 years to examine factors associated with interval Pap testing adherence. In this study the beliefs including Pap tests decrease the risk of cervical cancer , cervical cancer is curable if detected early, testing is necessary for women who are asymptomatic, sexually inactive, or postmenopausal , concern about pain/discomfort as a barrier to screening; family member(s) and friend(s) had suggested testing (social support); doctor(s) had recommended testing communication with health care providers were explored as predictor variables for obtaining pap smear (Taylor VM, 2004). In a multivariate analysis, this study showed being married, knowing Pap testing is necessary for asymptomatic women, doctor(s) had recommended testing, and had asked doctor(s) for testing were independently associated with screening participation (Taylor et al., 2004) . Fear, embarrassment, and cost were more likely to be barrier to adherence cervical cancer screening recommendation among Asian women compared to white women ( Ross, 2008). Finally, in addition to differences in specific perceptions about susceptibility, benefits and barriers among different racial or ethnic groups, researchers have found differences by race in exploratory of Health Belief Model constructs. Racial and ethnic disparities in cervical cancer screening have been attributed to socioeconomic, insurance, and cultural differences. A previous study evaluated the relationship between U.S. citizenship status and the receipt of Pap smears among immigrant women in this study California Citizen immigrants were significantly more likely to report receiving a Pap smear ever (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.08), a recent Pap smear (aPR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.11) as compared to immigrants who are not U.S. citizens (DE Alba, 2005).. Also variables like income, having a usual source care, and having health insurance were associated with receiving cancer screening. This study showed Hispanic women were more likely to receive Pap smears as compared to whites and Asians (DE Alba, 2005). Foreign birthplace may explain some disparities previously attributed to race or ethnicity, and is an important barrier to cancer screening, even after adjustment for other factors. Increasing access to health care may improve disparities among foreign-born persons to some degree. Results from previous research, showed black respondents were as or more likely to report cancer screening than white respondents; however, Hispanic and Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) respondents were significantly less likely to report screening for most cancers. When race/ethnicity and birthplace were considered together, U.S.-born Hispanic

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 13

health interventions with the aim of changing behaviors. Here, the findings from several different types of interventions based on Health Belief Model are summarized. Perhaps because constructs in the Health Belief Model are fairly intuitive, they have been used in a number of community based interventions conducted among underserved groups with lower socio economic level. The development of efficacious theory-based, culturally relevant interventions to promote cervical cancer prevention among underserved populations is crucial to the elimination of cancer disparities. In a study by Scarinci and co-workers a theory-based, culturally relevant interventions used to promote cervical cancer prevention among underserved populations of Latina immigrants (Scarinci, 2011). The goal was to describe the development of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention focusing on primary (sexual risk reduction) and secondary (Pap smear) prevention of cervical cancer among Latina immigrants using intervention mapping (IM). Health belief model provided theoretical guidance for the intervention development and implementation. IM provides a logical five-step framework in intervention development: delineating proximal program objectives, selecting theory-based intervention methods and strategies, developing a program plan, planning for adoption in implementation, and creating evaluation plans and instruments. We first conducted an extensive literature review and qualitatively examined the sociocultural factors associated with primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer. We then proceeded to quantitatively validate the qualitative findings, which led to development matrices linking the theoretical constructs with intervention objectives and strategies as well as evaluation. IM was a helpful tool in the development of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention addressing primary and secondary prevention among Latina immigrants (Scarinci,2011). To address the barrier of negative experience, in a qualitative study was performed in Somali, it was suggested that providing an explanation of the procedure prior to the test and allowing adequate time for questions could help to overcome negative past experiences. Some participants in focus group believed that attending as part of a group with a Somali-speaking community worker would make the experience less daunting, especially for first-time attendees. It was suggested by two participants in different groups and one interviewee that the fear of pain and poor hygiene could be helped by the provision of disposable plastic speculums, which were considered less aggressive and more hygienic (Abdullahi 2009). Beach and others in 2007 revealed in their study that the language could be as one potentially key factor in cancer screening disparities. They carried out secondary analyses of data from a randomized clinical trial that aimed to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings. The randomized clinical trial tested whether the intervention by Prevention Care Manager (PCM) which provided language-appropriate telephone support to help patients overcome barriers to cancer screening, was effective in helping women become up-to-date on these screening tests. Upto-date status was based on recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force .The intervention improved women's up-to-date status on all three screening tests, as reported elsewhere. This study included Spanish-speaking women seemed to benefit more than did English-speaking women from a bilingual telephone support intervention aimed at increasing cancer screening rates. (Beach et al, 2007). Some studies have compared the effectiveness of different media for delivering intervention addressing Health Belief Model constructs to women in clinic setting. Just as the Health Belief Model has guided community based interventions to deliver information or persuasive message to change perception and reduce barriers to cervical cancer screening behavior, it has guided interventions delivered

and AAPI respondents were as likely to report cancer screening as U.S.-born whites; however, foreign-born white (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.82), Hispanic (AOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.79), and AAPI respondents (AOR,0.28; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.39) were less likely than U.S.-born whites to report Pap smears ( Goel etal., 2003). A cross-sectional survey that was conducted among a convenience sample of 204 female post-graduate physicians examined adherence to United States Preventive Services Task Force cervical cancer screening recommendations, perception of adherence to recommendations, and barriers to obtaining care. This study showed just 83% of women were adherent to screening recommendations and 84% accurately perceived adherence or non-adherence. Women who self-identified as Asian were significantly less adherent when compared with women who self-identified as white (69% vs. 87%; Relative Risk [RR]=0.79, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.64-0.97; P<0.01). Women who self-identified as East Indian were significantly less likely to accurately perceive adherence or non-adherence when compared to women who self-identified as white (64% vs. 88%; RR=0.73, 95% CI, 0.49-1.09, P=0.04). Women who self-identified as Asian were significantly more likely to report any barrier to obtaining care when compared with women who self-identified as white (60% vs. 35%; RR=1.75, 95% CI, 1.24- 2.47; P=0.001). Women who self-identified as East Indian being more likely to report any barrier to obtaining care when compared with women who self-identified as white (60% vs. 34%; RR=1.74, 95% CI, 1.06-2.83; P=0.06) (Ross et al., 2008). A systematic review was conducted in 2008 showed most consistent associations between obesity and cervical cancer screening behavior. According to this review, most studies reported an inverse relation between decreased cervical cancer screening and increasing body size, and several studies reported that the association was more consistent among white women than among black women (Cohen et al., 2008). Participants from the focus groups and interviews in Abdullah study 2009 tended to discuss what they thought were other Somali women's reasons for not attending screening rather than the reason for their own non attendance. This study highlighted that 38% of participants had never been screened. Of these, when probed, four women said that they had never even heard of the screening test, eight said that they had never been sexual active and so thought that they did not need to attend for screening, and seven cited other reasons, including lack of understanding of the need to attend screening, hearing others' negative stories about the test, lack of knowledge and embarrassment. Participants within all focus groups and in the interviews identified that many Somali women had poor understanding of the need for cervical screening, and that this prevented them from attending screening. There is no cervical screening program in Somalia and the concept of preventative health was thought to be unfamiliar to many Somalis, especially to those new to the UK (Abdullahi 2009).

#### **4. Cervical cancer screening behavior intervention based on Health Belief Model**

A number of cervical cancer screening behavior promotion interventions have addressed at least one Health Belief Model construct – usually perceived barriers – and have had significant effects on cervical cancer screening behavior outcomes . This model, which emerged in the late 1950s, was used as an exploratory model to assess why people did not use preventive health services and eventually to understand why people use or fail to use health services. Many researchers now employ this model to guide the development of

and AAPI respondents were as likely to report cancer screening as U.S.-born whites; however, foreign-born white (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.82), Hispanic (AOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.79), and AAPI respondents (AOR,0.28; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.39) were less likely than U.S.-born whites to report Pap smears ( Goel etal., 2003). A cross-sectional survey that was conducted among a convenience sample of 204 female post-graduate physicians examined adherence to United States Preventive Services Task Force cervical cancer screening recommendations, perception of adherence to recommendations, and barriers to obtaining care. This study showed just 83% of women were adherent to screening recommendations and 84% accurately perceived adherence or non-adherence. Women who self-identified as Asian were significantly less adherent when compared with women who self-identified as white (69% vs. 87%; Relative Risk [RR]=0.79, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.64-0.97; P<0.01). Women who self-identified as East Indian were significantly less likely to accurately perceive adherence or non-adherence when compared to women who self-identified as white (64% vs. 88%; RR=0.73, 95% CI, 0.49-1.09, P=0.04). Women who self-identified as Asian were significantly more likely to report any barrier to obtaining care when compared with women who self-identified as white (60% vs. 35%; RR=1.75, 95% CI, 1.24- 2.47; P=0.001). Women who self-identified as East Indian being more likely to report any barrier to obtaining care when compared with women who self-identified as white (60% vs. 34%; RR=1.74, 95% CI, 1.06-2.83; P=0.06) (Ross et al., 2008). A systematic review was conducted in 2008 showed most consistent associations between obesity and cervical cancer screening behavior. According to this review, most studies reported an inverse relation between decreased cervical cancer screening and increasing body size, and several studies reported that the association was more consistent among white women than among black women (Cohen et al., 2008). Participants from the focus groups and interviews in Abdullah study 2009 tended to discuss what they thought were other Somali women's reasons for not attending screening rather than the reason for their own non attendance. This study highlighted that 38% of participants had never been screened. Of these, when probed, four women said that they had never even heard of the screening test, eight said that they had never been sexual active and so thought that they did not need to attend for screening, and seven cited other reasons, including lack of understanding of the need to attend screening, hearing others' negative stories about the test, lack of knowledge and embarrassment. Participants within all focus groups and in the interviews identified that many Somali women had poor understanding of the need for cervical screening, and that this prevented them from attending screening. There is no cervical screening program in Somalia and the concept of preventative health was thought to be unfamiliar to many Somalis, especially to those new to the UK (Abdullahi 2009).

**4. Cervical cancer screening behavior intervention based on Health Belief** 

A number of cervical cancer screening behavior promotion interventions have addressed at least one Health Belief Model construct – usually perceived barriers – and have had significant effects on cervical cancer screening behavior outcomes . This model, which emerged in the late 1950s, was used as an exploratory model to assess why people did not use preventive health services and eventually to understand why people use or fail to use health services. Many researchers now employ this model to guide the development of

**Model** 

health interventions with the aim of changing behaviors. Here, the findings from several different types of interventions based on Health Belief Model are summarized. Perhaps because constructs in the Health Belief Model are fairly intuitive, they have been used in a number of community based interventions conducted among underserved groups with lower socio economic level. The development of efficacious theory-based, culturally relevant interventions to promote cervical cancer prevention among underserved populations is crucial to the elimination of cancer disparities. In a study by Scarinci and co-workers a theory-based, culturally relevant interventions used to promote cervical cancer prevention among underserved populations of Latina immigrants (Scarinci, 2011). The goal was to describe the development of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention focusing on primary (sexual risk reduction) and secondary (Pap smear) prevention of cervical cancer among Latina immigrants using intervention mapping (IM). Health belief model provided theoretical guidance for the intervention development and implementation. IM provides a logical five-step framework in intervention development: delineating proximal program objectives, selecting theory-based intervention methods and strategies, developing a program plan, planning for adoption in implementation, and creating evaluation plans and instruments. We first conducted an extensive literature review and qualitatively examined the sociocultural factors associated with primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer. We then proceeded to quantitatively validate the qualitative findings, which led to development matrices linking the theoretical constructs with intervention objectives and strategies as well as evaluation. IM was a helpful tool in the development of a theory-based, culturally relevant intervention addressing primary and secondary prevention among Latina immigrants (Scarinci,2011). To address the barrier of negative experience, in a qualitative study was performed in Somali, it was suggested that providing an explanation of the procedure prior to the test and allowing adequate time for questions could help to overcome negative past experiences. Some participants in focus group believed that attending as part of a group with a Somali-speaking community worker would make the experience less daunting, especially for first-time attendees. It was suggested by two participants in different groups and one interviewee that the fear of pain and poor hygiene could be helped by the provision of disposable plastic speculums, which were considered less aggressive and more hygienic (Abdullahi 2009). Beach and others in 2007 revealed in their study that the language could be as one potentially key factor in cancer screening disparities. They carried out secondary analyses of data from a randomized clinical trial that aimed to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings. The randomized clinical trial tested whether the intervention by Prevention Care Manager (PCM) which provided language-appropriate telephone support to help patients overcome barriers to cancer screening, was effective in helping women become up-to-date on these screening tests. Upto-date status was based on recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force .The intervention improved women's up-to-date status on all three screening tests, as reported elsewhere. This study included Spanish-speaking women seemed to benefit more than did English-speaking women from a bilingual telephone support intervention aimed at increasing cancer screening rates. (Beach et al, 2007). Some studies have compared the effectiveness of different media for delivering intervention addressing Health Belief Model constructs to women in clinic setting. Just as the Health Belief Model has guided community based interventions to deliver information or persuasive message to change perception and reduce barriers to cervical cancer screening behavior, it has guided interventions delivered

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 15

recall a Pap screening advertisement at all or were unable to describe it accurately. A further 393 (51.8% of those asked, 42.0% of the total sample) remembered it when prompted. Thus, overall 61% of the women surveyed were aware of the television advertisement (19% unprompted recall and 42% prompted recall). Most of the 568 women who had seen the advertisement could describe its main message. About half (54.2%) reported a general message of everyone needing a Pap test, some saying that it should be regular but without specifying what regular meant, and some that it should be two-yearly. Some women (20.5%) indicated a more specific response that acknowledged that Pap tests are uncomfortable but still important to have and 9.7% reported a general message about prevention being important. Only 3.5% reported that the message was that Pap tests are unpleasant without adding the key point that they are worth having anyway. When asked what action they planned to take in response to seeing the advertising, 51.9% of women indicated that they would not do anything. However, women were most likely to respond in this way if their last Pap test had been more recent. Women who were overdue or lapsed screeners were less likely not to plan to take action. Overall, 15.9% of women indicated that as a result of seeing the advertisement, they planned to have a Pap test soon. Women overdue for a Pap test were significantly more likely to respond in this way than those who had a Pap test more recently. In total, 18.4% of women indicated they planned to have a Pap test when it was due, with no differences according to how long it had been since their last Pap test ( Mullins, 2008). Mass media campaigns have been used with some success to improve participation in health screening. A meta-analysis of media health campaigns found that campaigns promoting mammography and cervical cancer screening caused 4% of women changed their behavior in response to a televised marketing campaign prompting these types of screening for women (Snyder, 2004). Several studies have used Health Belief Model variables to tailor cervical cancer screening behavior for particular recipients. In general, tailoring messages for cervical cancer screening behavior using Health Belief Model constructs have been found to increase cervical cancer screening behavior. In this study, Forsyth County Cancer Screening (FoCaS) was designed to improve beliefs, attitudes, and screening behaviors of women age 40 and older who resided in low-income housing communities. To develop effective interventions, results from the baseline women's survey, the health care provider survey, additional focus groups, and input from the Community Advisory Board were used. These sources provided information on barriers, attitudes, current breast and cervical cancer screening practices, and optimum strategies for delivering health education messages. The theoretical framework for the community-based interventions included the PRECEDE/PROCEED model for planning, the health belief model , for identifying and addressing barriers, social learning theory in terms of using lay health educators to deliver education messages and develop a sense of self-efficacy in the women, and the PENIII model, which incorporates cultural appropriateness and sensitivity in program development. Interventions implemented in the housing communities in Winston-Salem during the 2-year intervention period included: (*a*) "Women's Fest," a free party held in the community that included food, educational classes, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes screening, prizes, and information booths; (*b*) a church program that included a ministers' luncheon and a lay health educator program, "Taking Care of our Sisters," for female church members; (*c*) educational brochures especially designed to address identified barriers such as "Where to Get a Mammogram"; (*d*) mass media techniques (public bus ads, newspaper and radio ads on African-American media); (*e*)

through television campaign. To encourage the right women to attend for cervical cancer screening, a media complain program was developed and tested. In addition to drawing on findings from the published literature to assist campaign development, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 32 women aged from 30 to 69 who had previously had regular Pap tests, but had lapsed in their cervical screening for at least 3 years, to determine the barriers to returning for another test. There were three salient reasons for lapsing. A major factor was that women expressed a negative emotional disposition to Pap tests, indicating dislike, embarrassment, discomfort or anxiety about having the test. Second, for some women, Pap tests were not considered a high priority, in that they did not believe they were at risk of cervical cancer. Finally, a small group of women believed that they did not need a Pap test because they considered they would know if something was wrong with their own bodies. It was noted that lack of knowledge of the appropriate time interval between tests was not a barrier for these women, since they were aware that they were overdue for a Pap test. The findings from the interviews were used to develop a brief for an advertising agency to develop concepts for further testing with women. The brief Targeted cervical screening media campaign focused particularly on the importance of overcoming emotional barriers to having a Pap test. Ultimately, two rounds of focus groups were conducted (nine groups of women aged >40, some adequately screened and some lapsed screeners) to develop the final advertisement. A 30-s television advertisement was produced, with a 15-s cut-down version. A radio advertisement was also developed, but is not discussed in this paper, as very few women heard the radio advertisement without also being exposed to the television advertisement. The television advertisement aimed to acknowledge women's anxiety and discomfort about having the test, while reminding them there was a good reason for having one. However, it was also designed not to arouse concern for those women whose tests were up-to-date. The advertisement -Don't just sit there- featured a series of women's legs in a variety of situations and a voice-over acknowledging that although having a Pap test can be uncomfortable, being treated for cervical cancer can be far more uncomfortable. The voice-over concluded by saying If you haven't had a Pap test in the last two years, stop putting it off. Make an appointment today with your doctor or community health centre. The tag line of the advertisement on the screen indicated \_Pap tests. Every two years. It could save your life.\_ The advertisement was broadcast for nearly 4 weeks from Sunday 18 July to Thursday 12 August 2004. The mediabuying schedule indicated that during this time, the advertisement had the opportunity to be seen two or more times by 86% of women in the target age range and 73% would have had an opportunity to see it three or more times. Data were conducted at the last week of the media campaign. Numbers were randomly selected from the electronic telephone directory and trained female interviewers asked to speak to the woman in the household aged between 25 and 65 whose birthday was next. Contact was made with 3510 households and in 1600 of these someone was identified as being eligible to complete the survey. Overall, an interview was obtained in 63% of homes where someone had been identified as eligible. Among them, 1000 women completed the survey and 600 did not (433 refused, 114 terminated during the interview, 53 agreed to complete it later but did not). Women were told that the research was being conducted on behalf of a well known Victorian health organization, was for public health research purposes and had been approved by an ethics committee. Up to five attempts were made to reach each of the selected numbers. While collecting data, the advertisement was then described to the women who either did not

through television campaign. To encourage the right women to attend for cervical cancer screening, a media complain program was developed and tested. In addition to drawing on findings from the published literature to assist campaign development, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 32 women aged from 30 to 69 who had previously had regular Pap tests, but had lapsed in their cervical screening for at least 3 years, to determine the barriers to returning for another test. There were three salient reasons for lapsing. A major factor was that women expressed a negative emotional disposition to Pap tests, indicating dislike, embarrassment, discomfort or anxiety about having the test. Second, for some women, Pap tests were not considered a high priority, in that they did not believe they were at risk of cervical cancer. Finally, a small group of women believed that they did not need a Pap test because they considered they would know if something was wrong with their own bodies. It was noted that lack of knowledge of the appropriate time interval between tests was not a barrier for these women, since they were aware that they were overdue for a Pap test. The findings from the interviews were used to develop a brief for an advertising agency to develop concepts for further testing with women. The brief Targeted cervical screening media campaign focused particularly on the importance of overcoming emotional barriers to having a Pap test. Ultimately, two rounds of focus groups were conducted (nine groups of women aged >40, some adequately screened and some lapsed screeners) to develop the final advertisement. A 30-s television advertisement was produced, with a 15-s cut-down version. A radio advertisement was also developed, but is not discussed in this paper, as very few women heard the radio advertisement without also being exposed to the television advertisement. The television advertisement aimed to acknowledge women's anxiety and discomfort about having the test, while reminding them there was a good reason for having one. However, it was also designed not to arouse concern for those women whose tests were up-to-date. The advertisement -Don't just sit there- featured a series of women's legs in a variety of situations and a voice-over acknowledging that although having a Pap test can be uncomfortable, being treated for cervical cancer can be far more uncomfortable. The voice-over concluded by saying If you haven't had a Pap test in the last two years, stop putting it off. Make an appointment today with your doctor or community health centre. The tag line of the advertisement on the screen indicated \_Pap tests. Every two years. It could save your life.\_ The advertisement was broadcast for nearly 4 weeks from Sunday 18 July to Thursday 12 August 2004. The mediabuying schedule indicated that during this time, the advertisement had the opportunity to be seen two or more times by 86% of women in the target age range and 73% would have had an opportunity to see it three or more times. Data were conducted at the last week of the media campaign. Numbers were randomly selected from the electronic telephone directory and trained female interviewers asked to speak to the woman in the household aged between 25 and 65 whose birthday was next. Contact was made with 3510 households and in 1600 of these someone was identified as being eligible to complete the survey. Overall, an interview was obtained in 63% of homes where someone had been identified as eligible. Among them, 1000 women completed the survey and 600 did not (433 refused, 114 terminated during the interview, 53 agreed to complete it later but did not). Women were told that the research was being conducted on behalf of a well known Victorian health organization, was for public health research purposes and had been approved by an ethics committee. Up to five attempts were made to reach each of the selected numbers. While collecting data, the advertisement was then described to the women who either did not recall a Pap screening advertisement at all or were unable to describe it accurately. A further 393 (51.8% of those asked, 42.0% of the total sample) remembered it when prompted. Thus, overall 61% of the women surveyed were aware of the television advertisement (19% unprompted recall and 42% prompted recall). Most of the 568 women who had seen the advertisement could describe its main message. About half (54.2%) reported a general message of everyone needing a Pap test, some saying that it should be regular but without specifying what regular meant, and some that it should be two-yearly. Some women (20.5%) indicated a more specific response that acknowledged that Pap tests are uncomfortable but still important to have and 9.7% reported a general message about prevention being important. Only 3.5% reported that the message was that Pap tests are unpleasant without adding the key point that they are worth having anyway. When asked what action they planned to take in response to seeing the advertising, 51.9% of women indicated that they would not do anything. However, women were most likely to respond in this way if their last Pap test had been more recent. Women who were overdue or lapsed screeners were less likely not to plan to take action. Overall, 15.9% of women indicated that as a result of seeing the advertisement, they planned to have a Pap test soon. Women overdue for a Pap test were significantly more likely to respond in this way than those who had a Pap test more recently. In total, 18.4% of women indicated they planned to have a Pap test when it was due, with no differences according to how long it had been since their last Pap test ( Mullins, 2008). Mass media campaigns have been used with some success to improve participation in health screening. A meta-analysis of media health campaigns found that campaigns promoting mammography and cervical cancer screening caused 4% of women changed their behavior in response to a televised marketing campaign prompting these types of screening for women (Snyder, 2004). Several studies have used Health Belief Model variables to tailor cervical cancer screening behavior for particular recipients. In general, tailoring messages for cervical cancer screening behavior using Health Belief Model constructs have been found to increase cervical cancer screening behavior. In this study, Forsyth County Cancer Screening (FoCaS) was designed to improve beliefs, attitudes, and screening behaviors of women age 40 and older who resided in low-income housing communities. To develop effective interventions, results from the baseline women's survey, the health care provider survey, additional focus groups, and input from the Community Advisory Board were used. These sources provided information on barriers, attitudes, current breast and cervical cancer screening practices, and optimum strategies for delivering health education messages. The theoretical framework for the community-based interventions included the PRECEDE/PROCEED model for planning, the health belief model , for identifying and addressing barriers, social learning theory in terms of using lay health educators to deliver education messages and develop a sense of self-efficacy in the women, and the PENIII model, which incorporates cultural appropriateness and sensitivity in program development. Interventions implemented in the housing communities in Winston-Salem during the 2-year intervention period included: (*a*) "Women's Fest," a free party held in the community that included food, educational classes, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes screening, prizes, and information booths; (*b*) a church program that included a ministers' luncheon and a lay health educator program, "Taking Care of our Sisters," for female church members; (*c*) educational brochures especially designed to address identified barriers such as "Where to Get a Mammogram"; (*d*) mass media techniques (public bus ads, newspaper and radio ads on African-American media); (*e*)

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 17

member of the household. Of the 1279 households with eligible women, 1020 (79.8%) agreed to participate. The intervention was an individualized health education program delivered by female Cherokee lay health educators based on several theories and models including Health belief model. The participants were randomly assigned to receive or not to receive the intervention (i.e., to program and control groups, respectively) by use of the Solomon Four-Group design. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews conducted in the participant's home. Of the 996 women who were ultimately enrolled, 540 were randomly assigned to receive a pretest (pre intervention) interview that involved administration of a 96-item questionnaire designed to collect data on knowledge, intentions, and behaviors related to cervical cancer; of these 540 women, 263 were randomly assigned to receive the education program. The remaining 456 women did not receive the pretest, but 218 were randomly assigned to receive the education program. Six months after receiving the education program, the women in all four groups were administered a post-test that was identical to the pretest Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of the pretest and the educational program. All *P* values resulted from two-sided statistical tests. Results of this study showed eight hundred and fifteen (81.8%) of the 996 participants completed the post-test interview. The remaining 181 women who were lost to follow-up were evenly distributed among the four study groups. At the post-test, 282 (73.2%) of the 385 women who received the education program reported having had a Pap smear following the intervention, compared with 275 (64%) of the 430 control subjects. Women who received the education program were more likely to answer all knowledge items correctly on the posttest (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08- 439) and to report having obtained a Pap smear in the past year (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.14-3.72) than women in the control groups. This study concluded women who received the education program exhibited a greater knowledge about cervical cancer prevention and were more likely to have reported having had a Pap smear within the past year than women who did not

HEALTH BELIEF MODEL variables have also formed the basis for an interventional program to improve beliefs and behaviors of screening for cervical cancer among Iranian people. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Hamadan , Iran, in 2010. In this study, 70 women - aged 16 to 54 years - who had never done Pap test until the date of the study, participated voluntarily. The volunteers were divided into several small groups. For each group, 2-hour training session was held. The data collection tool was a selfadministered multi-choice questionnaire that was developed based on HBM constructs. Health beliefs and practice of the target group were evaluated pre intervention and four months later. The findings indicated that education based on HBM was effective and could enhance the participants' knowledge significantly and improve the HBM constructs including perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. The training program enhanced the practice of screening test significantly. This study concluded that education program based on HBM can enhance women's knowledge of cervical cancer, change their health beliefs and improve their behaviors regarding screening programs like Pap test (Shojaeizadeh, 2011). In study that was conducted in Somali education about the purpose of the screening test and the programme was considered as key procedure in encouraging Somalis to take up screening. The participants felt that Somali health advocates or community workers should provide this information in a community setting. In their opinion, this would help women to understand the value of the test, and should aim to

receive the program (DIgnan, 1996).

monthly classes in each housing community conducted by a lay health educator; (*f*) birthday cards with the FoCaS logo; (*g*) targeted mailings and door knob hangers with invitations to events; and (*h*) one-on-one educational sessions in women's homes. Clinic-focused interventions implemented at RHC were designed to address provider, system, and patient barriers to conducting breast and cervical cancer screening and included: (*a*) in-service and primary care conference training for providers on issues including clinical breast exam proficiency, cultural sensitivity, and techniques to integrate prevention in primary care; (*b*) visual prompts in the exam rooms, *e.g.,* "Have you screened today?"; (*c*) educational games, *e.g.,* "Find the Lump Game" to teach clinical breast exam techniques; (*d*) an abnormal test protocol that included alert stickers, a referral process for managing the care of women with abnormal test results, and a tracking system; (*e*) poster and literature distribution in the waiting rooms; and (*f*) one-on-one counseling sessions and personalized letters for followup testing for women who had abnormal test results. The delivery of the intervention components was monitored by the project manager through weekly reports, observations of classes, and process evaluation measures such as attendance rolls, number of classes taught, brochures distributed, and letters mailed. Results of this study showed the proportion of women who received a Pap smear within the last 3 years increased in the intervention city from 73 to 87%. The proportion of women reporting a Pap smear in the last 3 years in the comparison city decreased over time, from 67 to 60%. Thus, the Pap smear usage rate increased by 14 percentage points in the intervention city and decreased by 7 percentage points in the comparison city for an overall net change of 21 percentage points in favor of the intervention city (*P* 5 0.004, unadjusted Wald x2 test). Older women (65 and over) were less likely than younger women to have had a Pap smear within guidelines (70 *versus* 78%; *P*  5 0.013). Women who received regular examinations were more likely to have had a Pap smear within guidelines (79 *versus* 51%; *P* , 0.001). The more correct knowledge women had, the more likely they were to be within screening guidelines (*P* 5 0.001), and women who reported a higher number of barriers were less likely to be compliant with guidelines (*P* 5 0.005) than those reporting the least number of barriers. In the comparison city, married women were more likely than non married women (including divorced, separated, widowed, and never married) to be within guidelines (79 *versus* 60%). For Pap smears, significantly more women in the intervention city reported no barriers to screening at follow-up compared with women in the comparison city (55 *versus* 29%; *P,* 0.05). No significant differences were noted between the two cities in either time period in the proportion of women reporting positive beliefs (two or more) about cervical cancer and screening or the proportion of women with good knowledge (five or more correct answers) about cervical cancer and screening ( Pasket al., 1999). Building on the tailored print cervical cancer screening behavior intervention finding, Dignan and co – workers examined the effects of health education on Increasing Screening for Cervical Cancer among Eastern-Band Cherokee Indian Women in North Carolina. The North Carolina Native American Cervical Cancer Prevention Project was a 5-year, National Cancer Institute-funded trial of health education designed to increase screening for cervical cancer among Native- American women in North Carolina.*.* This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this education program in the Eastern-Band Cherokee target population. Cherokee tribal lands were mapped and all households (N = 2223) were listed to ensure maximum coverage of the eligible population (women, aged 18 years and older, who were enrolled tribal members). Eligible women were identified by the use of a brief questionnaire administered to an adult

monthly classes in each housing community conducted by a lay health educator; (*f*) birthday cards with the FoCaS logo; (*g*) targeted mailings and door knob hangers with invitations to events; and (*h*) one-on-one educational sessions in women's homes. Clinic-focused interventions implemented at RHC were designed to address provider, system, and patient barriers to conducting breast and cervical cancer screening and included: (*a*) in-service and primary care conference training for providers on issues including clinical breast exam proficiency, cultural sensitivity, and techniques to integrate prevention in primary care; (*b*) visual prompts in the exam rooms, *e.g.,* "Have you screened today?"; (*c*) educational games, *e.g.,* "Find the Lump Game" to teach clinical breast exam techniques; (*d*) an abnormal test protocol that included alert stickers, a referral process for managing the care of women with abnormal test results, and a tracking system; (*e*) poster and literature distribution in the waiting rooms; and (*f*) one-on-one counseling sessions and personalized letters for followup testing for women who had abnormal test results. The delivery of the intervention components was monitored by the project manager through weekly reports, observations of classes, and process evaluation measures such as attendance rolls, number of classes taught, brochures distributed, and letters mailed. Results of this study showed the proportion of women who received a Pap smear within the last 3 years increased in the intervention city from 73 to 87%. The proportion of women reporting a Pap smear in the last 3 years in the comparison city decreased over time, from 67 to 60%. Thus, the Pap smear usage rate increased by 14 percentage points in the intervention city and decreased by 7 percentage points in the comparison city for an overall net change of 21 percentage points in favor of the intervention city (*P* 5 0.004, unadjusted Wald x2 test). Older women (65 and over) were less likely than younger women to have had a Pap smear within guidelines (70 *versus* 78%; *P*  5 0.013). Women who received regular examinations were more likely to have had a Pap smear within guidelines (79 *versus* 51%; *P* , 0.001). The more correct knowledge women had, the more likely they were to be within screening guidelines (*P* 5 0.001), and women who reported a higher number of barriers were less likely to be compliant with guidelines (*P* 5 0.005) than those reporting the least number of barriers. In the comparison city, married women were more likely than non married women (including divorced, separated, widowed, and never married) to be within guidelines (79 *versus* 60%). For Pap smears, significantly more women in the intervention city reported no barriers to screening at follow-up compared with women in the comparison city (55 *versus* 29%; *P,* 0.05). No significant differences were noted between the two cities in either time period in the proportion of women reporting positive beliefs (two or more) about cervical cancer and screening or the proportion of women with good knowledge (five or more correct answers) about cervical cancer and screening ( Pasket al., 1999). Building on the tailored print cervical cancer screening behavior intervention finding, Dignan and co – workers examined the effects of health education on Increasing Screening for Cervical Cancer among Eastern-Band Cherokee Indian Women in North Carolina. The North Carolina Native American Cervical Cancer Prevention Project was a 5-year, National Cancer Institute-funded trial of health education designed to increase screening for cervical cancer among Native- American women in North Carolina.*.* This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this education program in the Eastern-Band Cherokee target population. Cherokee tribal lands were mapped and all households (N = 2223) were listed to ensure maximum coverage of the eligible population (women, aged 18 years and older, who were enrolled tribal members). Eligible women were identified by the use of a brief questionnaire administered to an adult member of the household. Of the 1279 households with eligible women, 1020 (79.8%) agreed to participate. The intervention was an individualized health education program delivered by female Cherokee lay health educators based on several theories and models including Health belief model. The participants were randomly assigned to receive or not to receive the intervention (i.e., to program and control groups, respectively) by use of the Solomon Four-Group design. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews conducted in the participant's home. Of the 996 women who were ultimately enrolled, 540 were randomly assigned to receive a pretest (pre intervention) interview that involved administration of a 96-item questionnaire designed to collect data on knowledge, intentions, and behaviors related to cervical cancer; of these 540 women, 263 were randomly assigned to receive the education program. The remaining 456 women did not receive the pretest, but 218 were randomly assigned to receive the education program. Six months after receiving the education program, the women in all four groups were administered a post-test that was identical to the pretest Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of the pretest and the educational program. All *P* values resulted from two-sided statistical tests. Results of this study showed eight hundred and fifteen (81.8%) of the 996 participants completed the post-test interview. The remaining 181 women who were lost to follow-up were evenly distributed among the four study groups. At the post-test, 282 (73.2%) of the 385 women who received the education program reported having had a Pap smear following the intervention, compared with 275 (64%) of the 430 control subjects. Women who received the education program were more likely to answer all knowledge items correctly on the posttest (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08- 439) and to report having obtained a Pap smear in the past year (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.14-3.72) than women in the control groups. This study concluded women who received the education program exhibited a greater knowledge about cervical cancer prevention and were more likely to have reported having had a Pap smear within the past year than women who did not receive the program (DIgnan, 1996).

HEALTH BELIEF MODEL variables have also formed the basis for an interventional program to improve beliefs and behaviors of screening for cervical cancer among Iranian people. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Hamadan , Iran, in 2010. In this study, 70 women - aged 16 to 54 years - who had never done Pap test until the date of the study, participated voluntarily. The volunteers were divided into several small groups. For each group, 2-hour training session was held. The data collection tool was a selfadministered multi-choice questionnaire that was developed based on HBM constructs. Health beliefs and practice of the target group were evaluated pre intervention and four months later. The findings indicated that education based on HBM was effective and could enhance the participants' knowledge significantly and improve the HBM constructs including perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. The training program enhanced the practice of screening test significantly. This study concluded that education program based on HBM can enhance women's knowledge of cervical cancer, change their health beliefs and improve their behaviors regarding screening programs like Pap test (Shojaeizadeh, 2011). In study that was conducted in Somali education about the purpose of the screening test and the programme was considered as key procedure in encouraging Somalis to take up screening. The participants felt that Somali health advocates or community workers should provide this information in a community setting. In their opinion, this would help women to understand the value of the test, and should aim to

Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: An Application of Health Belief Model 19

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address some women's misinterpretation of the Islamic perspective regarding disease prevention and help to overcome fatalistic barriers to screening . Participants favored education from Somali speakers, and no participant suggested the need for increased opportunities to learn English. Overall, participants favored verbal modes of communication, reflecting Somali people having an oral culture. Participants suggested improving awareness of screening via the use of video, DVDs, CDs and audiotapes (Abdullahi , 2009) . In previous evidence, possible solutions suggested by the participants included the provision of education and information about cervical screening in the Somali language by Somali community workers. They also suggested that healthcare staff should be trained about Somali culture, particularly regarding female circumcision, and that general practitioners should more proactively encourage Somali women to attend screening (Abdullahi 2009).

#### **5. Conclusion**

This chapter highlighted the concepts of Health Belief Model that could be applied for cervical cancer screening test. In summary, Health Belief Model constructs generally have been found to predict participation in cervical cancer screening. In addition, a large number of interventions studied addressing Health Belief Model constructs have resulted in increased cervical cancer screening behavior. The interventions tailored to address recipient's specific Health Belief Model beliefs have been found to be particularly effective. It is entirely consistent with the Health Belief Model that intervention will be more effective if address the persons' specific perception about susceptibility, barrier and self efficacy. Women who already believe they are at risk for developing cervical cancer screening behavior do not need messages trying to conceive them to their susceptibility, those who know where to get a free pap smear but cannot find a way to get there need intervention addressing transportation not cost Just as it is important to be able to measure validity of Health Belief Model construct, tailoring technology has allowed interventions to address Health Belief Model constructs most relevant for particular intervention. Also in this chapter, the literature review summarized cervical cancer screening beliefs and attitudes of Hispanic women using the Health Belief Model. Perceived barriers (e.g., fear of cancer, embarrassment, fatalistic views of cancer, and language), as well as perceived susceptibility (e.g., belief that screening tests are not necessary/ needed impede screening. Physician recommendations and community outreach programs are effective strategies to increase breast and cervical cancer screening uptake among Hispanic women. The specific findings of this literature review indicate that cancer-screening programs should use multi sectorial approaches to address culture-specific issues and provide culturally sensitive and competent services.

#### **6. References**


address some women's misinterpretation of the Islamic perspective regarding disease prevention and help to overcome fatalistic barriers to screening . Participants favored education from Somali speakers, and no participant suggested the need for increased opportunities to learn English. Overall, participants favored verbal modes of communication, reflecting Somali people having an oral culture. Participants suggested improving awareness of screening via the use of video, DVDs, CDs and audiotapes (Abdullahi , 2009) . In previous evidence, possible solutions suggested by the participants included the provision of education and information about cervical screening in the Somali language by Somali community workers. They also suggested that healthcare staff should be trained about Somali culture, particularly regarding female circumcision, and that general practitioners should more proactively encourage Somali women to attend screening

This chapter highlighted the concepts of Health Belief Model that could be applied for cervical cancer screening test. In summary, Health Belief Model constructs generally have been found to predict participation in cervical cancer screening. In addition, a large number of interventions studied addressing Health Belief Model constructs have resulted in increased cervical cancer screening behavior. The interventions tailored to address recipient's specific Health Belief Model beliefs have been found to be particularly effective. It is entirely consistent with the Health Belief Model that intervention will be more effective if address the persons' specific perception about susceptibility, barrier and self efficacy. Women who already believe they are at risk for developing cervical cancer screening behavior do not need messages trying to conceive them to their susceptibility, those who know where to get a free pap smear but cannot find a way to get there need intervention addressing transportation not cost Just as it is important to be able to measure validity of Health Belief Model construct, tailoring technology has allowed interventions to address Health Belief Model constructs most relevant for particular intervention. Also in this chapter, the literature review summarized cervical cancer screening beliefs and attitudes of Hispanic women using the Health Belief Model. Perceived barriers (e.g., fear of cancer, embarrassment, fatalistic views of cancer, and language), as well as perceived susceptibility (e.g., belief that screening tests are not necessary/ needed impede screening. Physician recommendations and community outreach programs are effective strategies to increase breast and cervical cancer screening uptake among Hispanic women. The specific findings of this literature review indicate that cancer-screening programs should use multi sectorial approaches to address culture-specific issues and provide culturally sensitive and

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**2** 

*India* 

Rajamanickam Rajkumar

*Enathur, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu* 

**Community Based Cancer Screening –** 

Background of the study, in which the Editor has served as the Investigator at source 1.

Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Alliance for Cervical Cancer

4. World Health Organization-International Agency for Research Cancer (WHO-IARC),

A communtiy based screening program was planned and the editor used the following

"Our experience in a Community Based Cervical Cancer Screening Programme and the

Experience and Evidence Based Recommendations for Health Care planners especially in developing

countries who undertake Cervical Cancer Screening projects in limited resource settings

**Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Visual Screening for Cervical Cancer in** 

1. Christian Fellowship Community Health Centre (CFCHC), Ambillikai, India

3. PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (PSGIMSR), Coimbatore, India

**1. Introduction** 

Prevention (ACCP)

Lyon, France

**The 12 " I"s Strategy** 

**The 12 " I " s** 

 

1. **INITIATION**  2. **INFERENCE**  3. **IMBIBE**  4. **INSTALL**  5. **INSPIRE** 

6. **INVOLVEMENT** 

strategies which ensured success:

Collaborators:

**Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India** 

2. Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai (Madras), India

strategies which helped us to be successful"

**The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success**

*Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute,* 


## **Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success**

Rajamanickam Rajkumar

*Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Enathur, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu India* 

#### **1. Introduction**

24 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Zambrana, RE., Breen, N., Fox, SA., Gutierrez-Mohamed, ML. Use of cancer screening

Zavertnik, JJ. Strategies for reaching poor Blacks and Hispanics in Dade County, Florida.

*Cancer*, Vol. 72, No. 3 Suppl( 1993 Aug), pp. 1088–1092.

No. 6, (Dec 1999), pp. 466–477.

practices by Hispanic women: analyses by subgroup. *Preventive Medicine*; Vol 29,

Background of the study, in which the Editor has served as the Investigator at source 1.

#### **Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Visual Screening for Cervical Cancer in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India**

Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP)

Collaborators:


A communtiy based screening program was planned and the editor used the following strategies which ensured success:

#### **The 12 " I"s Strategy**

"Our experience in a Community Based Cervical Cancer Screening Programme and the strategies which helped us to be successful"

#### **The 12 " I " s**


6. **INVOLVEMENT** 

 Experience and Evidence Based Recommendations for Health Care planners especially in developing countries who undertake Cervical Cancer Screening projects in limited resource settings

Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 27

Table 1. Cancer Incidence in SE Asia: The need for screening is based on the following

tables, showing high incidence of cervical cancer


Fig. 1. Geographical location of the study area

**National map showing Dindigul district, Tamil National map showing Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu State, India State, India**

**Dindigul District** 

Chennai (Madras)

**TAMIL NADU STATE** 

Kolkata

New Delhi

 Mumbai (Bombay)

**DINDIGUL RCT OF CERVICAL SCREENING, INDIA DINDIGUL RCT OF CERVICAL SCREENING, INDIA**

**N**

**S W E**

Fig. 1. Geographical location of the study area

**INDIA** 

7. **INVITE**  8. **INSURE**  9. **INDIGENOUS**  10. **INSTITUTE**  11. **ILLUSTRATE**  12. **IMPROVE** 

Table 1. Cancer Incidence in SE Asia: The need for screening is based on the following tables, showing high incidence of cervical cancer

Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 29

**Rate Deaths ASR(W**

Crude and Age Age-Standardised (World) rates, per 100,000 Standardised 100,000 GLOBOCAN 2002, IARC

Leukaemia 9778 1.9 2.1 7977 1.6 1.7 4164 10630

Multiple myeloma 2525 0.5 0.6 2044 0.4 0.5 1549 4249

Hodgkin lymphoma 2155 0.4 0.5 1047 0.2 0.2 1674 6523

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 7389 1.5 1.7 5227 1.0 1.2 4190 14718

Thyroid 8686 1.7 1.9 4538 0.9 1.0 7187 31918

Brain, nervous system 7530 1.5 1.6 6149 1.2 1.4 3570 10525

Bladder 3031 0.6 0.7 1907 0.4 0.5 2319 8452

Kidney etc. 2129 0.4 0.5 1459 0.3 0.3 1247 4685

Ovary etc. 21146 4.2 4.9 16319 3.2 3.8 15339 53627

Corpus uteri 6937 1.4 1.7 2707 0.5 0.7 6046 23584

Breast 82951 16.5 19.1 44795 8.9 10.4 71493 269470

Melanoma of skin 882 0.2 0.2 471 0.1 0.1 698 2557

Lung 8046 1.6 2.0 6934 1.4 1.7 2646 6394

Larynx 3157 0.6 0.8 2075 0.4 0.5 2246 8081

Pancreas 3506 0.7 0.8 3073 0.6 0.7 757 2414

Liver 4477 0.9 1.1 4264 0.9 1.0 1031 2256

Colon and rectum 13555 2.7 3.2 9351 1.9 2.2 9534 33015

Stomach 11743 2.3 2.8 9962 2.0 2.4 5636 15996

Oesophagus 20805 4.1 5.1 17938 3.6 4.4 7418 17442

Other pharynx 7793 1.6 1.8 5858 1.2 1.4 4979 14558

Nasopharynx 1150 0.2 0.3 841 0.2 0.2 854 2912

Oral cavity 30906 6.1 7.5 17106 3.4 4.2 22600 77170

**SITE Incidence Mortality Prevalence**

**) Cases Crude Rate**

88.8 104.4 284636 56.5 67.6 306532 1089125

26.2 30.7 74118 14.7 17.8 101583 370243

C00-C96/C44

C82-C85,C96

C64-C66,C68

C56,C57.0-4

C91-C95

C90

C81

C73

C67

C54

C53

C50

C43

C32

C25

C22

C16

C15

C11

C00-C08

**ICD-10**

C18-C21

C09-C10,C12-C14

**5-year 1-**

**year ASR(W) Crude** 

C33-C34

C70-C72

**India - Females**

**Methods**: Incidence: Local (regional) data Mortality: Incidence and survival Prevalence: Incidence and survival

<sup>2</sup> All sites but non-melanoma skin

<sup>2</sup> Cervix uteri

44759

Table 3. Cancer Incidence Rates – India – Females

Fig. 2. The women need education and empowerment

13208


#### Table 2. Cancer Incidence Rates- World – Females

**World - Females**

**Rate Deaths ASR(W**

<sup>7</sup> 164.3 161.5 <sup>2927896</sup> 95.1 92.1 <sup>506065</sup>

<sup>2</sup> 37.4 37.4 <sup>410712</sup> 13.3 13.2 <sup>115129</sup>

Leukaemia 129485 4.2 4.1 97364 3.2 3.1 68394 221134

Multiple myeloma 39192 1.3 1.2 29839 1.0 0.9 27925 84521

Hodgkin lymphoma lymphoma 24111 0.8 0.8 8352 0.3 0.3 20178 87449

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 125448 4.1 4.0 72955 2.4 2.3 86221 324184

Thyroid 103589 3.4 3.3 24078 0.8 0.8 89315 394698

Brain, nervous system 81264 2.6 2.6 61616 2.0 2.0 37721 118861

Bladder 82699 2.7 2.5 36699 1.2 1.1 64673 249966

Kidney etc. 79257 2.6 2.5 39199 1.3 1.2 57234 223235

Ovary etc. 204499 6.6 6.6 124860 4.1 4.0 153761 538499

Corpus uteri 198783 6.5 6.5 50327 1.6 1.6 183528 775542

Cervix uteri 493243 16.0 16.2 273505 8.9 9.0 381033 1409265

Melanoma of skin 81134 2.6 2.6 18829 0.6 0.6 75940 332953

Lung 386891 12.6 12.1 330786 10.7 10.3 162377 423467

Larynx 20011 0.7 0.6 11327 0.4 0.4 15463 57944

Pancreas 107465 3.5 3.3 107479 3.5 3.3 26002 66596

Liver 184043 6.0 5.8 181439 5.9 5.7 46521 111446

Colon and rectum 472687 15.4 14.6 250532 8.1 7.6 362911 1315195

Stomach 330518 10.7 10.4 254297 8.3 7.9 166436 522156

Oesophagus 146723 4.8 4.7 124730 4.1 3.9 54159 129394

Other pharynx 24077 0.8 0.8 16029 0.5 0.5 16630 52905

Nasopharynx 24247 0.8 0.8 15419 0.5 0.5 17786 63235

Oral cavity 98373 3.2 3.2 46723 1.5 1.5 75769 273356

**SITE Incidence Mortality Prevalence**

**) Cases Crude Rate**

<sup>7</sup> All sites but non-melanoma skin

Table 2. Cancer Incidence Rates- World – Females

<sup>8</sup> Breast

13022650

4406080

349095

106004

**ASR(W) 1-year 5-year Crude** 

C00-C96/C44

C82-C85,C96

C64-C66,C68

C56,C57.0-4

C91-C95

C90

C81

C73

C67

C54

C53

C50

C43

C32

C25

C22

C16

C15

C11

C00-C08

**ICD-10**

C18-C21

C09-C10,C12-C14

C33-C34

C70-C72


Table 3. Cancer Incidence Rates – India – Females

Fig. 2. The women need education and empowerment

Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 31

In commemoration with 80th Anniversary School of Public Health & 15th Anniversary

R.Sankaranarayanan , IARC/WHO, B.M. Nene , K.Dinshaw , R.Rajkumar , S.Shastri , R.Wesley ,P.Basu , R.Sharma , S.Thara , A.Budukh , D.M. Parkin , IARC/WHO **Public Health Journal of Mexico (Revista de Salud Publica de Mexico)** 

National

**Institute of Public Health, Mexico, July 2002** 

Fig. 3. Use local manpower

**6. INSPIRE – personnel** 

Financial incentives, motivates them

Appreciation means a lot for the workers

Lighted to lighten, the health care providers play key role

Social recognition is very important in team work

Awards, titles, honours, cost little but the gain is big

#### **2. INITIATION – of cancer registry**


#### **3. INFERENCE – of the cancer pattern**


#### Supported by our publication:

"Leads to cancer control based on cancer patterns in a rural population in South India" R.Rajkumar, R.Sankaranarayanan, A.Esmi, R.Jeyaraman, J.Cherian & D.M.Parkin, **Cancer Causes and Control 2000; 11:433-39** 

#### **4. IMBIBE – the appropriate technology**


#### Supported by our publication:

"Effective screening programmes for cervical cancer in low-and middle - income developing countries"

Rengasamy Sankaranarayanan, Atul Madhukar Budukh, Rajamanickam Rajkumar, **Bulletein World Health Organisation, 2001, 79(10) 954-962** 

#### **5. INSTALL – resources**


#### Supported by our publication:

"Early detection of cervical cancer with visual inspection methods, A summary of completed and on – going studies in India".

R.Sankaranarayanan , IARC/WHO, B.M. Nene , K.Dinshaw , R.Rajkumar , S.Shastri , R.Wesley ,P.Basu , R.Sharma , S.Thara , A.Budukh , D.M. Parkin , IARC/WHO **Public Health Journal of Mexico (Revista de Salud Publica de Mexico)** 

In commemoration with 80th Anniversary School of Public Health & 15th Anniversary National

**Institute of Public Health, Mexico, July 2002** 

30 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

POPULATION BASED CANCER REGISTRY IS A MUST FOR THE SUCCESSFUL

 Our Ambillikai Cancer Registry, was population based rural cancer registry in India started in 1995, and its an Associate Member of the International Association of Cancer

 Ambillikai cancer registry recorded one of the highest ASR for cancer cervix (65.4/ 100 000) This gave the lead for a community based cervical cancer screening programme

"Leads to cancer control based on cancer patterns in a rural population in South India" R.Rajkumar, R.Sankaranarayanan, A.Esmi, R.Jeyaraman, J.Cherian & D.M.Parkin,

"Effective screening programmes for cervical cancer in low-and middle - income developing

Rengasamy Sankaranarayanan, Atul Madhukar Budukh, Rajamanickam Rajkumar,

Materials – locally available equipments and local maintenance expertise

"Early detection of cervical cancer with visual inspection methods, A summary of

 Developing countries can seek technical support from developed nations Low resource settings need appropriate, affordable and accessible technologies Technical & Financial constraints to be overcome by resource development In rural India – Cervical Cancer Screening was not a health care priority

**2. INITIATION – of cancer registry** 

**3. INFERENCE – of the cancer pattern** 

Supported by our publication:

Supported by our publication:

**5. INSTALL – resources** 

 Political Will & Commitment Manpower – train local health staff

Supported by our publication:

Money – internal and/or external funds

completed and on – going studies in India".

countries"

Leads for the planning of control strategies

**Cancer Causes and Control 2000; 11:433-39** 

**4. IMBIBE – the appropriate technology** 

 Hence we offered once a life time – VIA, Colposcopy High risk approach is needed for selected population 80% PARTICIPATION was targeted, and achieved

**Bulletein World Health Organisation, 2001, 79(10) 954-962** 

Registries

IMPLEMENTAION OF A SCREENING PROGRAM There are Urban and Rural Population based Cancer registries Cancer registry is important to know the cancer pattern

Priority for preventable cancers by screening, is an important use

Fig. 3. Use local manpower

#### **6. INSPIRE – personnel**


Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 33

Educating the school children have resulted in them bringing their mothers for

 Do whatever possible for total care – even counseling and advice are well received Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely an

"Cancer" is scaring, terrifying and people are afraid to get diagnosed as to have cancer

Address their common complaints like "wdpv", "abnormal bleeding pv" and then

 Perform VIA, colposcopy and cryotherapy/LEEP and the "women get rid of their complaints" and we have done our "screening for cervical cancer" . Thus we have made

Medical personnel, village leaders, religious leaders, local healers, teachers

Rural community does not appreciate "organ specific approach"

Wholesome approach for holistic health is the demand

Fig. 5. A woman expects holistic health care from the provider

Start from what they know and build from what they have

absence of disease or infirmity – Health for All

**Who would invite ?**  The "Influencers"

Satisfied Customers

**9. INSURE – holistic health** 

screening – "tender roots split hard rock"

 Peer groups Family members

**10. INDIGENOUS** 

In thoughts, words and deeds

explain about precancer and cancer.

the very "problem" as "indigenous"

Fig. 4. Inspiration and motivation of the Health care providers ensure success

Even in the Olympics it is a small "MEDAL" which matters

#### **7. INVOLVEMENT**


#### **8. INVITE**


#### **Methods of Invitation**


#### **Who would invite ?**

32 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Fig. 4. Inspiration and motivation of the Health care providers ensure success

Even in the Olympics it is a small "MEDAL" which matters

It is humans' innate desire to be invited for participation

Invitation with genuine Interest by Influencers works well

Individuals – Appeal to their "self care and self esteem"

Advertisements, Propaganda, Bombardment with information – may not work

Mass – Appeal to "Emotions" – Use the words "Mothers", " Wives", "Sisters" instead of

Families – Appeal to "Responsibilities" of the family towards the motherhood and their

 Involve both " providers" & "recipients" All levels of micro & macro planning

 All levels of implementation When we hear we forget When we see we remember When we do we know

**7. INVOLVEMENT** 

**8. INVITE** 

**Methods of Invitation** 

duty for " mother's" health

Women


#### **9. INSURE – holistic health**


Fig. 5. A woman expects holistic health care from the provider

#### **10. INDIGENOUS**


Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 35

Post Cryo - LEEP period ↓ Long period of sexual abstinence ↓ Husbands' uncooperative ↓ Abstinence for religious reasons , Abstinence during jaundice ↓ Convinced

Dialogues, Discussions would definitely Dissolve many of the Deterrent factors

Counseling increases the community's compliance for the programme

Careful and considerate listening are very important for community based programmes

"Determinants of participation of women in a cervical cancer visual screening trial in rural

Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan, Rajamanickam Rajkumar, Silvina Arrossi, Rajapandian Theresa, Pulikattil Okkaru Esmy, Cerdric Mahe, Richard Muwonge, Donald Maxwell

The above strategies helped us to successfully complete one of the largest cervical

"Initial results from a randomized trial of Cervical Visual Screening in rural South India".

**Problem Solving** 

Communication gap closes the doors

**Determinants of Participation** 

 Educational level Social status Economic status Type of family

south India"

Parkin, Jacob Cherian

 Severity of the disease Satisfactory services

Supported by our publication:

**12. ILLUSTRATE – study findings** 

R. Sankaranarayanan. R. Rajkumar, et al.

Supported by our publication:

**Cancer Detection and Prevention 27 (2003) 457 – 465** 

**International Journal of Cancer 2004; 109, 461 – 467** 

cancer screening programmes done in rural areas.

#### **Indigenous - Screening Environment**


#### **Indigenous – Health personnel**


#### **Indigenous in attitude**


#### **11. INSTITUTE – follow up**


#### **How we tackled some of the problems!**

Post cryotherapy period ↓ Long term serous discharge ↓ Very distressing for women ↓ Good sign of healing "Ice" melting ↓ Convinced

Post Cryo - LEEP period

↓

Long period of sexual abstinence

↓

Husbands' uncooperative

↓

Abstinence for religious reasons , Abstinence during jaundice

↓

#### Convinced

#### **Problem Solving**

34 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

People in villages are reluctant to get in to the huge vans or buses for screening as these

 Hence, screening clinics could be arranged in places which are frequently visited by the people, like health centre buildings, schools, ration shops, public utility buildings

Never call the local customs, beliefs, hopes, attitudes and practices as superstitions. It

Screening clinics should ensure privacy, confidentiality in a pleasant atmosphere.

People appreciate this gesture very much as it coveys one's concern and regard

 If this is done in a scientific way it is called the " follow up ", and it should be done meticulously and frequently. The possible outcomes of the screening should be well explained before hand and the need for passive follow up should be well understood by

> **How we tackled some of the problems!**  Post cryotherapy period ↓ Long term serous discharge ↓ Very distressing for women ↓ Good sign of healing "Ice" melting ↓ Convinced

Screening could be done by trained local nurses and health workers

Never say that the other is wrong, only that they may not be right

All services under one roof and cordial relationship to be maintained

In rural India, people greet each other by asking " How are you ? "

Identification with the people in all possible ways ensures good compliance

**Indigenous - Screening Environment** 

**Indigenous – Health personnel** 

Like begets like

**Indigenous in attitude** 

are unusual environments to them

Birds of the same feather flock together

No outside prescriptions, referrals

the beneficiaries and their families.

**11. INSTITUTE – follow up** 

Examination – Female to female and male to male

will hurt the feelings. Just guide them rightly.

Counsel the family as a whole, whenever possible


#### **Determinants of Participation**


Supported by our publication:

"Determinants of participation of women in a cervical cancer visual screening trial in rural south India"

Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan, Rajamanickam Rajkumar, Silvina Arrossi, Rajapandian Theresa, Pulikattil Okkaru Esmy, Cerdric Mahe, Richard Muwonge, Donald Maxwell Parkin, Jacob Cherian

**Cancer Detection and Prevention 27 (2003) 457 – 465** 

#### **12. ILLUSTRATE – study findings**

 The above strategies helped us to successfully complete one of the largest cervical cancer screening programmes done in rural areas.

Supported by our publication:

"Initial results from a randomized trial of Cervical Visual Screening in rural South India". R. Sankaranarayanan. R. Rajkumar, et al.

**International Journal of Cancer 2004; 109, 461 – 467** 

Community Based Cancer Screening – The 12 " I "s Strategy for Success 37

**"Preparation of a large, simple "phase IV" study of anti- HPV Vaccination in Asia"**  Silvia Franceschi IARC/WHO, Richard Peto, T.Rajkumar, R.Rajkumar, Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan, Soina Pagliusi, Teresa Aguado & Thomas Cherian, **Scientific Paper** 

**Submitted to the HPV International Conference – Floriano polis – June 2001.** 

**SCIENTIFIC PAPERS PUBLISHED IN PEER REVIEWED INTERNATIONAL** 

[1] Wright Thomas C; Blumenthal Paul; Bradley Janet; Denny Lynette; Esmy Pulikattil

[2] Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy; Esmy Pulikkottil Okkuru; Rajkumar Rajamanickam;

[3] Sankaranarayanan R; Rajkumar R; Esmy P O; Fayette J M; Shanthakumary S; Frappart L;

[4] Franceschi Silvia; Herrero Rolando; Clifford Gary M; Snijders Peter J F; Arslan Annie;

[5] Vaccarella Salvatore; Herrero Rolando; Dai Min; Snijders Peter J F; Meijer Chris J L M;

[6] Clifford G M; Gallus S; Herrero R; Muñoz N; Snijders P J F; Vaccarella S; Anh P T H;

Ferreccio C; Hieu N T; Matos E; Molano M; Rajkumar R; Ronco G; de Sanjosé S;

Cancer. Journal international du cancer 2006;119(11):2677-84.

Preventive Oncology 2006;15(11):2148-53.. vaccarella@iarc.fr

Okkaru; Jayant Kasturi; Nene Bhagwan M; Pollack Amy E; Rajkumar Rajamanickam; Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy; Sellors John W; Shastri Surendra S; Sherris Jacqueline; Tsu Vivien Cervical cancer prevention for all the world's women: new approaches offer opportunities and promise. Diagnostic

Muwonge Richard; Swaminathan Rajaraman; Shanthakumari Sivanandam; Fayette Jean-Marie; Cherian Jacob Effect of visual screening on cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Tamil Nadu, India: a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet 2007;

Thara S; Cherian J Effectiveness, safety and acceptability of 'see and treat' with cryotherapy by nurses in a cervical screening study in India. British journal of

Anh Pham Thi Hoang; Bosch F Xavier; Ferreccio Catterina; Hieu Nguyen Trong; Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo; Matos Elena; Molano Monica; Qiao You-Lin; Rajkumar Raj; Ronco Guglielmo; de Sanjosé Silvia; Shin Hai-Rim; Sukvirach Sukhon; Thomas Jaiye O; Meijer Chris J L M; Muñoz Nubia Variations in the age-specific curves of human papillomavirus prevalence in women worldwide. International Journal of

Thomas Jaiye O; Hoang Anh Pham Thi; Ferreccio Catterina; Matos Elena; Posso Hector; de Sanjosé Silvia; Shin Hai-Rim; Sukvirach Sukhon; Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo; Ronco Guglielmo; Rajkumar Raj; Qiao You-Lin; Muñoz Nubia; Franceschi Silvia Reproductive factors, oral contraceptive use, and human papillomavirus infection: pooled analysis of the IARC HPV prevalence surveys. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of

The editor is happy to enlist all his publications for further reference :

cytopathology 2007;35(12):845-8.

370(9585):398-406.

cancer 2007;96(5):738-43.

**Study 3** 

**HPV vaccine trial** 

**14. References** 

**JOURNALS** 

Fig. 6.

#### **13. IMPROVE**

Successful completion of a program improves capabilities of the health care providers and it leads to further research, like our other studies:

#### **HPV Studies:**

#### **Study 1**

#### **Papillomavirus infection in rural women in southern India**

Franceschi, R Rajkumar, PJF Snijders, A Arslan1, C Mahe, M Plummer, R Sankaranarayanan, J Cherian, CJLM Meijer and E Weiderpass, **British Journal of Cancer (2005) 92, 601 – 606** 

#### **Study 2**

#### **Worldwide distribution of HPV Types in Cytologically Normal Women: Pooled Analysis of the IARC HPV Prevalence Surveys**

G. Clifford (PhD), S. Gallus (ScD), R. Herrero (MD), N. Muñoz (MD), P.J.F. Snijders (PhD), S. Vaccarella (ScD), P.T.H Anh (MD), C. Ferreccio (MD), N.T Hieu (MD), E. Matos (MD), M. Molano (PhD), R. Rajkumar (MD), G. Ronco (MD), S. de Sanjosé (MD), H.R. Shin (MD), S. Sukvirach (MD), J.O. Thomas (MD), S. Tunsakul (MS), C.J.L.M. Meijer (MD), S. Franceschi (MD) and the IARC HPV Prevalence Surveys (IHPS) Study Group, **Lancet 2005;366(9490):991-8.**

#### **Study 3**

36 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Assessed for eligibility (n= 80,422)

**Flow chart of the design and preliminary results of the study Flow chart of the design and preliminary results of the study**

Randomised 113 clusters (n= 78,392)

Allocated to VIA screening 57 clusters (n= 48,225) 124,144 PYO

**DINDIGUL RCT OF CERVICAL SCREENING, INDIA DINDIGUL RCT OF CERVICAL SCREENING, INDIA**

CIN 2-3 n= 222 (0.7%) Treated n= 178 (80.2%)

Did not receive VIA screening (n= 17,648)

> Screen detected invasive cancer n=69 (0.2%) Treated n= 52 (75.4%)

Successful completion of a program improves capabilities of the health care providers and it

Franceschi, R Rajkumar, PJF Snijders, A Arslan1, C Mahe, M Plummer, R Sankaranarayanan, J Cherian, CJLM Meijer and E Weiderpass, **British Journal of Cancer (2005) 92, 601 – 606** 

**Worldwide distribution of HPV Types in Cytologically Normal Women: Pooled Analysis of** 

G. Clifford (PhD), S. Gallus (ScD), R. Herrero (MD), N. Muñoz (MD), P.J.F. Snijders (PhD), S. Vaccarella (ScD), P.T.H Anh (MD), C. Ferreccio (MD), N.T Hieu (MD), E. Matos (MD), M. Molano (PhD), R. Rajkumar (MD), G. Ronco (MD), S. de Sanjosé (MD), H.R. Shin (MD), S. Sukvirach (MD), J.O. Thomas (MD), S. Tunsakul (MS), C.J.L.M. Meijer (MD), S. Franceschi (MD) and the IARC HPV Prevalence Surveys (IHPS) Study Group, **Lancet 2005;366(9490):991-8.**

Received VIA screening (n= 30,577)

PYO: person years of observation; CR: crude incidence rate; ASR: agestandardized incidence rate; CIN: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; Percentages refer to proportion of screened women (N=30,577) except for treatment where they

**the IARC HPV Prevalence Surveys**

leads to further research, like our other studies:

**Papillomavirus infection in rural women in southern India** 

CIN 1 n= 1,778 (5.8%) Treated n= 1,263 (71.0%)

refer to lesion detected

**13. IMPROVE** 

**HPV Studies:** 

**Study 1** 

**Study 2** 

Fig. 6.

Screened positive n=2,939 (9.6%)

Excluded (n=2,030)

> Allocated to control group 56 clusters (n= 30,167) 90,172 PYO

Sankaranarayanan *et al.,* Int J Cancer. 2004 10; 109: 461-7

**34 invasive cancers diagnosed CR: 37.7/100,000 PYO ASR: 43.1/100,000 PYO 34 invasive cancers diagnosed CR: 37.7/100,000 PYO ASR: 43.1/100,000 PYO**

Clinically detected invasive cancer n=28

**97 invasive cancers diagnosed CR: 78.1/100,000 PYO ASR: 92.4/100,000 PYO 97 invasive cancers diagnosed CR: 78.1/100,000 PYO ASR: 92.4/100,000 PYO**

**HPV vaccine trial** 

**"Preparation of a large, simple "phase IV" study of anti- HPV Vaccination in Asia"**  Silvia Franceschi IARC/WHO, Richard Peto, T.Rajkumar, R.Rajkumar, Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan, Soina Pagliusi, Teresa Aguado & Thomas Cherian, **Scientific Paper Submitted to the HPV International Conference – Floriano polis – June 2001.** 

#### **14. References**

The editor is happy to enlist all his publications for further reference :

#### **SCIENTIFIC PAPERS PUBLISHED IN PEER REVIEWED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS**


**3** 

Nokuthula Sibiya

*South Africa* 

*Durban University of Technology, Head of Nursing Department, Durban* 

**Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the** 

**Developing Countries: South African Context** 

Despite the fact that cancer of the cervix is preventable, it is the commonest cancer cause of death in women in sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, South Central and South East Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America (Parkin et al., 2005). Southern Africa has one of the highest incident rates in the world, and in South Africa alone it caused the deaths of 3 700 women in 2002 (Denny, 2006). According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cervical cancer accounts for 23% of all cancers diagnosed in South Africa (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2006 as cited in le Riche, 2006). Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among South African women, with 1 in 41 women developing the disease in her lifetime (Sitas et al., 1998). Adar & Stevens (2000) noted that it was responsible for nearly 2% of deaths of women aged 15-44 years and 4% of women aged 45-59 years. In South Africa, the total age-adjusted incidence rate (ASIR) of cancer in Africans is far lower than that in the corresponding white population. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (2004) in South Africa, cervical cancer accounts for 18.5% of female cancers, with approximately 5 000 new cases reported annually and black women being most at risk of getting cervical cancer compared to white and coloured women. African women seek help only when their particular disorder/disease is far advanced, thereby, as in the case of cervical cancer, rendering cure or control nearly impossible (Walker et al., 2002). A study done by De Jonge et al. (1999) found more aggressive tumours in black women compared to white women with cervical cancer in South Africa. In women of all race groups, the age specific cervical cancer rates for 1992 remained low up to 30 years of age, but thereafter increased rapidly until they peaked at 50 to 59 years (Denny, 2006). Similarly, Sitas et al. (1998) reported that the incidence of invasive cancer rises in the age group 35-39, with 87% of cases occurring in women over 35 years of age. It is a common cancer in poor women due to inadequate mass cervical cancer screening, and their cure rates are low as

The South African National Department of Health identified cervical cancer as a health priority and in 2000 introduced a national screening programme, based on models of the natural history of the disease (Department of Health, 2000). The cervical screening policy states that every woman attending public sector health services is entitled to three free smears from the age of 30 years at intervals of ten years provided no smears have been

**1. Introduction** 

they present late (Denny, 2006).

Shin H R; Sukvirach S; Thomas J O; Tunsakul S; Meijer C J L M; Franceschi S; Worldwide distribution of human papillomavirus types in cytologically normal women in the International Agency for Research on Cancer HPV prevalence surveys: a pooled analysis. Lancet 2005;366(9490):991-8.


### **Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the Developing Countries: South African Context**

#### Nokuthula Sibiya

*Durban University of Technology, Head of Nursing Department, Durban South Africa* 

#### **1. Introduction**

38 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

[7] Franceschi S; Rajkumar R; Snijders P J F; Arslan A; Mahé C; Plummer M;

[8] Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy; Rajkumar Rajamanickam; Theresa Rajapandian; Esmy

[10] Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy; Rajkumar Rajamanickam; Arrossi Silvina; Theresa

[11] Sankaranarayanan R; Budukh A M; Rajkumar R Effective screening programmes for

[12] Rajkumar R; Sankaranarayanan R; Esmi A; Jayaraman R; Cherian J; Parkin D M Leads

Journal of Cancer. Journal international du cancer 2004;109(3):461-7. [9] Sankaranarayanan R; Nene B M; Dinshaw K; Rajkumar R; Shastri S; Wesley R; Basu P;

surveys: a pooled analysis. Lancet 2005;366(9490):991-8.

Salud pública de México 2003;45 Suppl 3():S399-407.

World Health Organization 2001;79(10):954-62.

Cancer causes & control : CCC 2000;11(5):433-9.

prevention 2003;27(6):457-65.

Shin H R; Sukvirach S; Thomas J O; Tunsakul S; Meijer C J L M; Franceschi S; Worldwide distribution of human papillomavirus types in cytologically normal women in the International Agency for Research on Cancer HPV prevalence

Sankaranarayanan R; Cherian J; Meijer C J L M; Weiderpass E Papillomavirus infection in rural women in southern India. British journal of cancer 2005;92(3):601-6.

Pulikattil Okkaru; Mahe Cedric; Bagyalakshmi Karur R; Thara Somanathan; Frappart Lucien; Lucas Eric; Muwonge Richard; Shanthakumari S; Jeevan D; Subbarao T M; Parkin Donald Maxwell; Cherian Jacob Initial results from a randomized trial of cervical visual screening in rural south India. International

Sharma R; Thara S; Budukh A; Parkin D M Early detection of cervical cancer with visual inspection methods: a summary of completed and on-going studies in India.

Rajapandian; Esmy Pulikattil Okkaru; Mahé Cédric; Muwonge Richard; Parkin Donald Maxwell; Cherian Jacob Determinants of participation of women in a cervical cancer visual screening trial in rural south India. Cancer detection and

cervical cancer in low- and middle-income developing countries. Bulletin of the

to cancer control based on cancer patterns in a rural population in South India.

Despite the fact that cancer of the cervix is preventable, it is the commonest cancer cause of death in women in sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, South Central and South East Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America (Parkin et al., 2005). Southern Africa has one of the highest incident rates in the world, and in South Africa alone it caused the deaths of 3 700 women in 2002 (Denny, 2006). According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cervical cancer accounts for 23% of all cancers diagnosed in South Africa (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2006 as cited in le Riche, 2006). Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among South African women, with 1 in 41 women developing the disease in her lifetime (Sitas et al., 1998). Adar & Stevens (2000) noted that it was responsible for nearly 2% of deaths of women aged 15-44 years and 4% of women aged 45-59 years. In South Africa, the total age-adjusted incidence rate (ASIR) of cancer in Africans is far lower than that in the corresponding white population. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (2004) in South Africa, cervical cancer accounts for 18.5% of female cancers, with approximately 5 000 new cases reported annually and black women being most at risk of getting cervical cancer compared to white and coloured women. African women seek help only when their particular disorder/disease is far advanced, thereby, as in the case of cervical cancer, rendering cure or control nearly impossible (Walker et al., 2002). A study done by De Jonge et al. (1999) found more aggressive tumours in black women compared to white women with cervical cancer in South Africa. In women of all race groups, the age specific cervical cancer rates for 1992 remained low up to 30 years of age, but thereafter increased rapidly until they peaked at 50 to 59 years (Denny, 2006). Similarly, Sitas et al. (1998) reported that the incidence of invasive cancer rises in the age group 35-39, with 87% of cases occurring in women over 35 years of age. It is a common cancer in poor women due to inadequate mass cervical cancer screening, and their cure rates are low as they present late (Denny, 2006).

The South African National Department of Health identified cervical cancer as a health priority and in 2000 introduced a national screening programme, based on models of the natural history of the disease (Department of Health, 2000). The cervical screening policy states that every woman attending public sector health services is entitled to three free smears from the age of 30 years at intervals of ten years provided no smears have been

Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the Developing Countries: South African Context 41

Tetteh, 1998). Lower socio-economic status has been associated with higher risk of developing cancer probably due to lack of access to good health care and screening programmes (Mqoqi, 2003). Barriers to screening uptake include a lack of knowledge about the disease, the geographical and economic inaccessibility of care, the poor quality of services and lack of support from families. Abrahams et al. (1996) state that in order for the cervical screening programme to be successful, among other things, strategies in low-

South Africa, one of the better-resourced countries in sub-Saharan Africa provides opportunistic screening. Despite the existence of the guidelines, difficulties have occurred with the implementation of the South African cervical screening programme. A number of attempts were made in the past to introduce cervical screening programmes at national, provincial and local levels in South Africa. In the 1970s the Department of Health suggested that a Pap smear should be taken only if the cervix appears abnormal (Performance of the National Health System [NHS] Cervical Screening Programme in England, 1998 as cited by Hoffman et al., 2003). A number of cervical screening programmes that were introduced in the 1980s failed due to poor attendance of women at the health services. The findings of the study that was conducted by Abrahams et al. (1996) revealed that the poor attendance of women was due to lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and the significance of cancer screening. Fonn (2003) reported that implementation was slow, whilst Moodley et al., (2006) found that cervical screening in the public health service was conducted in an ad hoc manner and focused on younger women attending family planning and ante natal services. In South Africa, women have access to cervical screening at primary health care (PHC) clinics. The clinics serve a demarcated area and offer a variety of services. Due to the demand of services, it is not possible to concentrate on the prevention of cervical cancer, as cervical screening is one aspect of the total services rendered. This is a great concern given that the likelihood of reducing the incidence of cervical cancer is dependent upon a wellorganized programme. A study was conducted in the eThekwini Region, previously named Ilembe in the province of KwaZulu-Natal on the evaluation of the implementation of the cervical screening programme in PHC clinics (Sibiya & Grainger, 2007). This study consisted of a record review, a clinic audit and focus group discussions with the nurses. The findings confirmed that follow-up of clients was problematic, referral hospital feedback was poor, record keeping was inadequate, and rural clinics lacked resources. Despite the positive aspects, such as the good quality of smears and adequate drugs, the problems overall would have resulted in an ineffective programme. The following factors have been identified as the

According to the South African cervical screening policy, all service providers are expected to participate in the screening programme (Department of Health, 2000). The South African screening policy states that women should have Pap smears at least once every 10 years as from the age of 30 years. Therefore, the annual number of women requiring a Pap smear is the total number in the province divided by 10. It is worth noting that the finding of the study that was conducted by Fonn (2003) revealed that in order to achieve 100% coverage of

resource settings should be socially and culturally appropriate.

contributory factors to ineffective screening in South Africa:

**3.1 Shortage of health care workers** 

**3. Cervical screening in South Africa** 

taken within the previous five years and a total of three smears will be taken in a woman's lifetime. The starting age was based on the fact that the disease affects women in early to late middle age. The goal is to screen 70% of women in the target age group within 10 years of initiating the programme. This model aims to decrease cancer incidence by 64% (Miller, 1992 as cited in Smith et al., 2003). According to Walraven (2003), cervical cancer develops slowly. Invasive cancer is usually preceded by long phases of pre-invasive disease (Sankaranarayanan & Wesley, 2003) and high-grade dysplasia can generally be detected 10 years before cancer develops (Population Reference Bureau & Alliance for Cervical Cancer Screening, 2004). It is widely believed that that invasive cervical cancer develops from dysplastic precursor lesions, progressing steadily from mild to moderate to severe dysplasia, then to carcinoma in situ, and finally to cancer. Based on resource considerations and best available evidence, the policy adopted a public health approach by targeting the age group most at risk of developing high-grade, precursor lesions of the cervix. The policy conformed to the recommendations of the World Health Organization [WHO] (1999 as cited in Smith et al., 2003) for the screening protocol for regions with limited resource.

There has been much debate as to the most suitable screening policy, particularly with age commencement and appropriate time intervals between smears. A number of studies revealed that nurses were opposed to and misunderstood the screening policy, probably limiting the performance of screening (Smith & Hoffman, 2000; Smith et al., 2003; Sibiya & Grainger, 2010). They were of the opinion that women should have their first smears at the age of 20 and thereafter at intervals of five years because women become sexually active at an early age. Screening programmes are effective provided that they are well organized (le Riche et al., 2006; Gaym et al., 2007). The aim of cervical cytology screening programme is to detect pre-malignant lesions on the transformation zone of the cervix. Those patients with abnormal cytologic results are then referred for further management, usually at dedicated colposcopy clinics. The current referral criteria are a single smear with a high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HSIL) or two low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LSIL) smears. The aim of colposcopy is to detect the most abnormal area on the cervix and to direct the clinician to the area of biopsy.

#### **2. Cervical cytology screening programmes in developing countries**

Cervical cytology screening programmes have been introduced in low- and middle-income developing countries, but generally have achieved very limited success (WHO, 2001). Although cytological screening is being carried out in some developing countries, there are no organized programmes. As a result, there has been a very limited impact on the incidence of cervical cancer, despite the large numbers of cytological smears taken in some countries such as Cuba and Mexico (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001). Only 5% of women in developing countries undergo cervical screening compared with 40-50% in the developed world. Substantial costs are involved in providing the infrastructure, manpower, follow up and surveillance for cervical screening programmes. Owing to their limited health care resources, developing countries cannot afford the models of frequently repeated screening of women over a wide age range that is used in developed countries (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001). Cervical cancer has been described as "a disease of the economically disadvantaged" because even in developed countries such as the United States, cervical cancer mostly affects women of low socio-economic status, rural and poor women (DicksonTetteh, 1998). Lower socio-economic status has been associated with higher risk of developing cancer probably due to lack of access to good health care and screening programmes (Mqoqi, 2003). Barriers to screening uptake include a lack of knowledge about the disease, the geographical and economic inaccessibility of care, the poor quality of services and lack of support from families. Abrahams et al. (1996) state that in order for the cervical screening programme to be successful, among other things, strategies in lowresource settings should be socially and culturally appropriate.

#### **3. Cervical screening in South Africa**

40 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

taken within the previous five years and a total of three smears will be taken in a woman's lifetime. The starting age was based on the fact that the disease affects women in early to late middle age. The goal is to screen 70% of women in the target age group within 10 years of initiating the programme. This model aims to decrease cancer incidence by 64% (Miller, 1992 as cited in Smith et al., 2003). According to Walraven (2003), cervical cancer develops slowly. Invasive cancer is usually preceded by long phases of pre-invasive disease (Sankaranarayanan & Wesley, 2003) and high-grade dysplasia can generally be detected 10 years before cancer develops (Population Reference Bureau & Alliance for Cervical Cancer Screening, 2004). It is widely believed that that invasive cervical cancer develops from dysplastic precursor lesions, progressing steadily from mild to moderate to severe dysplasia, then to carcinoma in situ, and finally to cancer. Based on resource considerations and best available evidence, the policy adopted a public health approach by targeting the age group most at risk of developing high-grade, precursor lesions of the cervix. The policy conformed to the recommendations of the World Health Organization [WHO] (1999 as cited

in Smith et al., 2003) for the screening protocol for regions with limited resource.

**2. Cervical cytology screening programmes in developing countries** 

Cervical cytology screening programmes have been introduced in low- and middle-income developing countries, but generally have achieved very limited success (WHO, 2001). Although cytological screening is being carried out in some developing countries, there are no organized programmes. As a result, there has been a very limited impact on the incidence of cervical cancer, despite the large numbers of cytological smears taken in some countries such as Cuba and Mexico (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001). Only 5% of women in developing countries undergo cervical screening compared with 40-50% in the developed world. Substantial costs are involved in providing the infrastructure, manpower, follow up and surveillance for cervical screening programmes. Owing to their limited health care resources, developing countries cannot afford the models of frequently repeated screening of women over a wide age range that is used in developed countries (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001). Cervical cancer has been described as "a disease of the economically disadvantaged" because even in developed countries such as the United States, cervical cancer mostly affects women of low socio-economic status, rural and poor women (Dickson-

to direct the clinician to the area of biopsy.

There has been much debate as to the most suitable screening policy, particularly with age commencement and appropriate time intervals between smears. A number of studies revealed that nurses were opposed to and misunderstood the screening policy, probably limiting the performance of screening (Smith & Hoffman, 2000; Smith et al., 2003; Sibiya & Grainger, 2010). They were of the opinion that women should have their first smears at the age of 20 and thereafter at intervals of five years because women become sexually active at an early age. Screening programmes are effective provided that they are well organized (le Riche et al., 2006; Gaym et al., 2007). The aim of cervical cytology screening programme is to detect pre-malignant lesions on the transformation zone of the cervix. Those patients with abnormal cytologic results are then referred for further management, usually at dedicated colposcopy clinics. The current referral criteria are a single smear with a high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HSIL) or two low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (LSIL) smears. The aim of colposcopy is to detect the most abnormal area on the cervix and South Africa, one of the better-resourced countries in sub-Saharan Africa provides opportunistic screening. Despite the existence of the guidelines, difficulties have occurred with the implementation of the South African cervical screening programme. A number of attempts were made in the past to introduce cervical screening programmes at national, provincial and local levels in South Africa. In the 1970s the Department of Health suggested that a Pap smear should be taken only if the cervix appears abnormal (Performance of the National Health System [NHS] Cervical Screening Programme in England, 1998 as cited by Hoffman et al., 2003). A number of cervical screening programmes that were introduced in the 1980s failed due to poor attendance of women at the health services. The findings of the study that was conducted by Abrahams et al. (1996) revealed that the poor attendance of women was due to lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and the significance of cancer screening. Fonn (2003) reported that implementation was slow, whilst Moodley et al., (2006) found that cervical screening in the public health service was conducted in an ad hoc manner and focused on younger women attending family planning and ante natal services. In South Africa, women have access to cervical screening at primary health care (PHC) clinics. The clinics serve a demarcated area and offer a variety of services. Due to the demand of services, it is not possible to concentrate on the prevention of cervical cancer, as cervical screening is one aspect of the total services rendered. This is a great concern given that the likelihood of reducing the incidence of cervical cancer is dependent upon a wellorganized programme. A study was conducted in the eThekwini Region, previously named Ilembe in the province of KwaZulu-Natal on the evaluation of the implementation of the cervical screening programme in PHC clinics (Sibiya & Grainger, 2007). This study consisted of a record review, a clinic audit and focus group discussions with the nurses. The findings confirmed that follow-up of clients was problematic, referral hospital feedback was poor, record keeping was inadequate, and rural clinics lacked resources. Despite the positive aspects, such as the good quality of smears and adequate drugs, the problems overall would have resulted in an ineffective programme. The following factors have been identified as the contributory factors to ineffective screening in South Africa:

#### **3.1 Shortage of health care workers**

According to the South African cervical screening policy, all service providers are expected to participate in the screening programme (Department of Health, 2000). The South African screening policy states that women should have Pap smears at least once every 10 years as from the age of 30 years. Therefore, the annual number of women requiring a Pap smear is the total number in the province divided by 10. It is worth noting that the finding of the study that was conducted by Fonn (2003) revealed that in order to achieve 100% coverage of

Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the Developing Countries: South African Context 43

supported by the findings of the study that was conducted by Moodley et al. (2006) which revealed that long cytology turnaround time is attributed to poorly functioning administrative and transportation systems. The study that was conducted by Denny et al, (2006) revealed that a large number of women did not return for the cervical screening results. Cytology-based screening programmes can only be successful if infrastructure is in place and laboratory quality assurance is consistent (Alliance for Cervical Cancer

The South African policy on cervical screening maintains that a working follow-up system needs to be in place for effective implementation of the cervical screening programme (Department of Health, 2000). The policy further states that the time lapse between screening and follow-up should be 1–4 weeks depending on the circumstances and every attempt possible should be made to find those patients who do not return voluntarily. The results of the study that was done in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa revealed that there was poor follow up of patients with abnormal smears and that if patients were referred to the hospital from the PHC settings there was no feedback that was provided to the clinic (Sibiya & Grainger, 2007). Lack of capacity in terms of infrastructure and human resources were cited as factors for poor follow up and referral process. However, the findings of the study that was conducted by Nene et al., (2007) showed that the lowest compliance rate with follow-up care was found among unmarried women, those with low level of education and those with a high number of pregnancies. Some studies have reported that women with abnormal screening results were confused and did not understand the information provided by the nurse (Kavanagh et al., 1997; Yabroff et al.,

There are also challenges regarding the referral process of women with abnormal smears for further investigation and management.When the protocol for cervical screening was evaluated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the results reveled that none of the 88 reviewed documents showed evidence of feedback from the referral hospital (Sibiya & Grainger, 2007). Interview data with nurses revealed that none of the referral hospital provided feedback to the referral hospital. This means that there was lack of effective liaison with referral centres for diagnosis and treatment to ensure follow-up and monitoring. According to Smith and Hoffman (2000) nurses work diligently to achieve good rates of follow-up but there is one group of women that they cannot monitor, namely those with high-grade lesions. Once a woman is referred for colposcopy, the nurses do not receive feedback regarding whether she kept her appointment, or what the outcome was. This is further supported by the findings of a study that was done by Abraham et al. (1996) where the health workers expressed disappointment that they continued to not receive feedback from hospital specialists to whom they referred women found to have abnormal smears, which merited further clinical investigations. The only way that feedback of a referral to a hospital was gained was that all patients were encouraged to report back to the clinic to give information as to the outcome of their hospital visit. Improving communication would allow the nurses to remain involved with their clients, and help to ensure that follow-up takes place. The referring doctor has a responsibility to the woman to ensure that she has fully understood the significance of her abnormal smear, the options for evaluation and

management of that smear, and has been involved in the decision-making.

Prevention, 2004).

**3.2 Poor system of follow up and referral process** 

2000 as cited in by Nene et al., 2007).

women eligible for screening over a 10-year period, each nurse would have to perform on average less than one Pap smear per day. This author further argues that there is spare capacity and that any potential underestimate in the number of Pap smears required per year could be relatively easily accommodated. According to the Department of Health (2006) nurses constitute the largest professional group in South Africa's health care services and form the backbone of PHC in South Africa. Nurses provide the bulk of service provision in the public health sector. This emphasis is most striking at the primary care level. Given the emphasis the need for well-trained primary level staff is imperative. The South African yearbook (2004/05) states that patients visiting PHC clinics are treated mainly by PHCtrained nurses, or at some clinics, by doctors yet according to the Department of Health (2004) only about 40% of facilities have PHC qualified nurses. This means that the pace of training has been slower than planned. However, migration of nurses has also impacted on these figures. The gross shortage of health workers in developing countries may be a further limitation to effective screening.

A number of research studies have attempted to explore the 'push and pull' factors that lead to South African nurses working in other countries. Emigration is a commonly cited cause of PHC attrition rate in South Africa. Migration of health personnel, also dubbed the brain drain, partly from rural to urban areas, but more particularly out of the country, has become a debated issue in human resource circles not only in South Africa, but also on the continent of Africa itself. According to the Department of Health (2006) for many years before 1994 South Africa constituted a preferred destination for many health professionals, the majority being doctors from the African continent. This situation has however changed since the late 1990's when a policy of not recruiting from fellow developing African countries was adopted at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Health Minister's level. The findings of the study that was done by Oosthuizen & Ehlers (2007) indicated that nurses' inadequate remuneration, poor working conditions, excessive workloads, lack of personal growth and career advancement possibilities were major factors that influenced nurses' decision to emigrate. Lucas (2005) argues that although African countries have a shortage of health workers, they continue to migrate from Africa to more developed countries. Tarimo (1991) argues that it is unrealistic to expect good performances under the difficult conditions from workers who are poorly rewarded. However, financial incentives alone are insufficient to improve health worker motivation. Investing in a functional health care system in which nurses feel motivated to work is an important part of human resource planning.

The capacity to read cervical smears at public sector laboratory level is limited in South Africa. The South African guidelines indicate that cyto-technologists reading populationbased smears are expected to screen six smears per hour and to work for no longer than 8 hours per day, i.e. total of 48 smears per day. Thus if all technologists employed by the state only read cervical smears we would have just enough technologists employed in the public sector. However, they also have other smears to read (Fonn, 2003). It is important to note that if the first smear is done at the age of 20 years, it would mean that the annual number of smears would increase from 85 0740 to 127 5016. This would mean that cyto-technicians would have to read 69 smears per day. The capacity to read the cervical smears at public sector laboratory is limited (Fonn, 2003). In developing countries, because of lack of the trained cyto-technicians, there is often a long interval of 1-3 months between the Pap screening and when the test result is available (Jeronimo et al., 2005). This is further supported by the findings of the study that was conducted by Moodley et al. (2006) which revealed that long cytology turnaround time is attributed to poorly functioning administrative and transportation systems. The study that was conducted by Denny et al, (2006) revealed that a large number of women did not return for the cervical screening results. Cytology-based screening programmes can only be successful if infrastructure is in place and laboratory quality assurance is consistent (Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention, 2004).

#### **3.2 Poor system of follow up and referral process**

42 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

women eligible for screening over a 10-year period, each nurse would have to perform on average less than one Pap smear per day. This author further argues that there is spare capacity and that any potential underestimate in the number of Pap smears required per year could be relatively easily accommodated. According to the Department of Health (2006) nurses constitute the largest professional group in South Africa's health care services and form the backbone of PHC in South Africa. Nurses provide the bulk of service provision in the public health sector. This emphasis is most striking at the primary care level. Given the emphasis the need for well-trained primary level staff is imperative. The South African yearbook (2004/05) states that patients visiting PHC clinics are treated mainly by PHCtrained nurses, or at some clinics, by doctors yet according to the Department of Health (2004) only about 40% of facilities have PHC qualified nurses. This means that the pace of training has been slower than planned. However, migration of nurses has also impacted on these figures. The gross shortage of health workers in developing countries may be a further

A number of research studies have attempted to explore the 'push and pull' factors that lead to South African nurses working in other countries. Emigration is a commonly cited cause of PHC attrition rate in South Africa. Migration of health personnel, also dubbed the brain drain, partly from rural to urban areas, but more particularly out of the country, has become a debated issue in human resource circles not only in South Africa, but also on the continent of Africa itself. According to the Department of Health (2006) for many years before 1994 South Africa constituted a preferred destination for many health professionals, the majority being doctors from the African continent. This situation has however changed since the late 1990's when a policy of not recruiting from fellow developing African countries was adopted at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Health Minister's level. The findings of the study that was done by Oosthuizen & Ehlers (2007) indicated that nurses' inadequate remuneration, poor working conditions, excessive workloads, lack of personal growth and career advancement possibilities were major factors that influenced nurses' decision to emigrate. Lucas (2005) argues that although African countries have a shortage of health workers, they continue to migrate from Africa to more developed countries. Tarimo (1991) argues that it is unrealistic to expect good performances under the difficult conditions from workers who are poorly rewarded. However, financial incentives alone are insufficient to improve health worker motivation. Investing in a functional health care system in which nurses feel motivated to work is an important part of human resource

The capacity to read cervical smears at public sector laboratory level is limited in South Africa. The South African guidelines indicate that cyto-technologists reading populationbased smears are expected to screen six smears per hour and to work for no longer than 8 hours per day, i.e. total of 48 smears per day. Thus if all technologists employed by the state only read cervical smears we would have just enough technologists employed in the public sector. However, they also have other smears to read (Fonn, 2003). It is important to note that if the first smear is done at the age of 20 years, it would mean that the annual number of smears would increase from 85 0740 to 127 5016. This would mean that cyto-technicians would have to read 69 smears per day. The capacity to read the cervical smears at public sector laboratory is limited (Fonn, 2003). In developing countries, because of lack of the trained cyto-technicians, there is often a long interval of 1-3 months between the Pap screening and when the test result is available (Jeronimo et al., 2005). This is further

limitation to effective screening.

planning.

The South African policy on cervical screening maintains that a working follow-up system needs to be in place for effective implementation of the cervical screening programme (Department of Health, 2000). The policy further states that the time lapse between screening and follow-up should be 1–4 weeks depending on the circumstances and every attempt possible should be made to find those patients who do not return voluntarily. The results of the study that was done in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa revealed that there was poor follow up of patients with abnormal smears and that if patients were referred to the hospital from the PHC settings there was no feedback that was provided to the clinic (Sibiya & Grainger, 2007). Lack of capacity in terms of infrastructure and human resources were cited as factors for poor follow up and referral process. However, the findings of the study that was conducted by Nene et al., (2007) showed that the lowest compliance rate with follow-up care was found among unmarried women, those with low level of education and those with a high number of pregnancies. Some studies have reported that women with abnormal screening results were confused and did not understand the information provided by the nurse (Kavanagh et al., 1997; Yabroff et al., 2000 as cited in by Nene et al., 2007).

There are also challenges regarding the referral process of women with abnormal smears for further investigation and management.When the protocol for cervical screening was evaluated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the results reveled that none of the 88 reviewed documents showed evidence of feedback from the referral hospital (Sibiya & Grainger, 2007). Interview data with nurses revealed that none of the referral hospital provided feedback to the referral hospital. This means that there was lack of effective liaison with referral centres for diagnosis and treatment to ensure follow-up and monitoring. According to Smith and Hoffman (2000) nurses work diligently to achieve good rates of follow-up but there is one group of women that they cannot monitor, namely those with high-grade lesions. Once a woman is referred for colposcopy, the nurses do not receive feedback regarding whether she kept her appointment, or what the outcome was. This is further supported by the findings of a study that was done by Abraham et al. (1996) where the health workers expressed disappointment that they continued to not receive feedback from hospital specialists to whom they referred women found to have abnormal smears, which merited further clinical investigations. The only way that feedback of a referral to a hospital was gained was that all patients were encouraged to report back to the clinic to give information as to the outcome of their hospital visit. Improving communication would allow the nurses to remain involved with their clients, and help to ensure that follow-up takes place. The referring doctor has a responsibility to the woman to ensure that she has fully understood the significance of her abnormal smear, the options for evaluation and management of that smear, and has been involved in the decision-making.

Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the Developing Countries: South African Context 45

**4. Recommended measures to improve screening programmes in developing** 

Many low-income developing countries currently have neither the financial and manpower resources nor the capacity in their health services to organize and sustain a screening programme of any sort (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001). Efforts to organize effective screening programmes in developing countries will have to find adequate financial resources, develop the infrastructure, train the needed manpower, and elaborate surveillance mechanisms for screening, investigating, treating and follow-up of the targeted women. The following measures need to be put in place in order to improve cervical

The developing countries should consider cost effective screening test to use. Newer alternative methods for cervical screening have being developed and tested (Denny, et al., 2000; Goldie et al., 2006; Sankaranarayanan et al., 1998). These include DNA testing for HPVand visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). The most promising of these being DNA testing for HPV as cervical cancer is caused mainly by HPV. The key barriers to HPV testing in developing countries are the costs and technical requirements associated with the test (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2005). VIA also called cervicoscopy, consists of naked eye visualization of the uterine cervix after the application of diluted acetic acid, to screen for cervical abnormalities. A solution of 3% to 5% acetic acid is used, and the cervix is illuminated with a light source and the purpose is to identify aceto-white areas which may indicate tissue undergoing precancerous changes (Sankaranarayanan et al., 1998). A study of the cost effectiveness of several cervical cancer screening strategies, based on the South African experience, indicated that strategies using VIA or HPV DNA testing may offer attractive alternatives to cytology-based screening programmes in low-resource settings (Goldie et al., 2001). In developing countries, because of the lack of trained cytotechnologists and cytology laboratories, there is often a long interval (1-3 months) between the Pap screenings and when the test result is available. VIA has the advantage of requiring only low-technology equipment and the result is available immediately (Jeronimo et al., 2005). Therefore, the treatment of abnormal lesions can be done during the same consultation. This is further supported by the findings of the study that was conducted by Goldie et al., (2005) which revealed that VIA or HPV DNA testing offer cost-effective alternatives to conventional cytology-based screening in low resource settings as these require only one or two clinical visits. The results of the study that was conducted by Maree et al. (2009) revealed that VIA screening is acceptable to women due to the fact that the results are available immediately. The use of VIA as a screening tool should be considered as it is a realistic alternative for low-resource settings. VIA training should be instituted and registered nurses trained to perform it effectively. Part time registered nurses, possibly including the retired registered nurses, could perform VIAs at primary health care clinics, together with breast examinations. The major drawback of this approach that was identified by Sankaranarayanan et al. (1998) is that lesions are not detected early enough to prevent invasion because of a large proportion of the cancers detected are relatively advanced, requiring complex medical therapy that is difficult to provide in many settings. Cytology remains the best method available in screening for cervical cancer. However, in countries

**countries** 

screening in developing countries:

**4.1 Effective screening tests** 

#### **3.3 The impact of HIV and AIDS**

The growing number of women in resource-poor areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa, who have immunodeficiency virus (HIV), appears to compound the problem because they have an increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the causal agent of cervical cancer (Goldie et al., 2001). South Africa remains one of the countries with a high HIV and AIDS prevalence rate - there are currently about 5.27 million people who are infected with HIV and AIDS in South Africa (UNAIDS, 2008). About 70% of the HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics are below the age of 30 years (Department of Health, 2007). The prevalence rate among young people aged 20-24 years was estimated to be 30%, with the highest prevalence rate of about 40% being among women aged 25-29 years. Cervical cancer is regarded as an important AIDS-related disease and since 1993 has been considered as an AIDS-defining illness in women with HIV virus (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2004). HIV positive women have a high rate of persistent HPV infections, and a higher rate than HIV negative women with the types of HPV that are associated with the development of high grade dysplasia and cervical cancer (Hoytt, 1998). HIV-positive women are almost five times more likely to present with dysplasia than HIVnegative women (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2004). One case-controlled case study reported that 60% of HPV positive women had initiated sex prior to reaching 16 years old. The report further stated that this may expose women to STIs, which may lower a woman's immune response and contribute to malignant transformation of HPV infections (Kenney, 1994).

Of particular concern was the lack of acceptance of the age at first screening criterion. According to the findings of the study that was conducted by Smith et al (2003), of the interviewed nurses, 90% were that some screening policy exists, and 57% could correctly state the policy. However, all the participants were of the opinion that women should have their first smear at the start of the sexual activity, which is at the age of 20 years, and the interval period should be five years due to high rate of HIV/AIDS in this province. They argued that there was an association between cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS and STIs hence younger women were at risk. This is in contrast with what the policy states as discussed above (Sibiya & Grainger, 2010). Many health professionals feel that as a result of the increased incidence of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), younger women are at risk of getting cervical cancer (Kenney, 1994; KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 1999). Smith & Hoffman (2000) reported that approximately half of the nurses they sampled in Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town were of the opinion that women should have their smears done at the start of sexual activity, whilst a quarter thought that this should occur when the woman is under the age of 30 years. The participants in our study also believed that the age for first smear should be lowered to 20 years and that they should be repeated at five year intervals thereafter. They recommended this because of the high rate of HIV/AIDS in this province. Such sentiments have been criticized on the grounds that the nurses do not understand the natural course of the disease or the rationale behind the screening programme (Fonn, 2003; Smith et al., 2003). Worth noting are the results of the study that was conducted in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa by Gaym et al. (2007), which revealed that all the high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions occurred in women younger than 30 years of age, which is much lower than the usual age distribution for high grade lesions (around 35-40 years of age).

#### **4. Recommended measures to improve screening programmes in developing countries**

Many low-income developing countries currently have neither the financial and manpower resources nor the capacity in their health services to organize and sustain a screening programme of any sort (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001). Efforts to organize effective screening programmes in developing countries will have to find adequate financial resources, develop the infrastructure, train the needed manpower, and elaborate surveillance mechanisms for screening, investigating, treating and follow-up of the targeted women. The following measures need to be put in place in order to improve cervical screening in developing countries:

#### **4.1 Effective screening tests**

44 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

The growing number of women in resource-poor areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa, who have immunodeficiency virus (HIV), appears to compound the problem because they have an increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the causal agent of cervical cancer (Goldie et al., 2001). South Africa remains one of the countries with a high HIV and AIDS prevalence rate - there are currently about 5.27 million people who are infected with HIV and AIDS in South Africa (UNAIDS, 2008). About 70% of the HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics are below the age of 30 years (Department of Health, 2007). The prevalence rate among young people aged 20-24 years was estimated to be 30%, with the highest prevalence rate of about 40% being among women aged 25-29 years. Cervical cancer is regarded as an important AIDS-related disease and since 1993 has been considered as an AIDS-defining illness in women with HIV virus (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2004). HIV positive women have a high rate of persistent HPV infections, and a higher rate than HIV negative women with the types of HPV that are associated with the development of high grade dysplasia and cervical cancer (Hoytt, 1998). HIV-positive women are almost five times more likely to present with dysplasia than HIVnegative women (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2004). One case-controlled case study reported that 60% of HPV positive women had initiated sex prior to reaching 16 years old. The report further stated that this may expose women to STIs, which may lower a woman's immune response and contribute to malignant transformation of HPV infections

Of particular concern was the lack of acceptance of the age at first screening criterion. According to the findings of the study that was conducted by Smith et al (2003), of the interviewed nurses, 90% were that some screening policy exists, and 57% could correctly state the policy. However, all the participants were of the opinion that women should have their first smear at the start of the sexual activity, which is at the age of 20 years, and the interval period should be five years due to high rate of HIV/AIDS in this province. They argued that there was an association between cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS and STIs hence younger women were at risk. This is in contrast with what the policy states as discussed above (Sibiya & Grainger, 2010). Many health professionals feel that as a result of the increased incidence of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), younger women are at risk of getting cervical cancer (Kenney, 1994; KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 1999). Smith & Hoffman (2000) reported that approximately half of the nurses they sampled in Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town were of the opinion that women should have their smears done at the start of sexual activity, whilst a quarter thought that this should occur when the woman is under the age of 30 years. The participants in our study also believed that the age for first smear should be lowered to 20 years and that they should be repeated at five year intervals thereafter. They recommended this because of the high rate of HIV/AIDS in this province. Such sentiments have been criticized on the grounds that the nurses do not understand the natural course of the disease or the rationale behind the screening programme (Fonn, 2003; Smith et al., 2003). Worth noting are the results of the study that was conducted in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa by Gaym et al. (2007), which revealed that all the high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions occurred in women younger than 30 years of age, which is much lower than the usual age distribution

**3.3 The impact of HIV and AIDS** 

(Kenney, 1994).

for high grade lesions (around 35-40 years of age).

The developing countries should consider cost effective screening test to use. Newer alternative methods for cervical screening have being developed and tested (Denny, et al., 2000; Goldie et al., 2006; Sankaranarayanan et al., 1998). These include DNA testing for HPVand visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). The most promising of these being DNA testing for HPV as cervical cancer is caused mainly by HPV. The key barriers to HPV testing in developing countries are the costs and technical requirements associated with the test (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2005). VIA also called cervicoscopy, consists of naked eye visualization of the uterine cervix after the application of diluted acetic acid, to screen for cervical abnormalities. A solution of 3% to 5% acetic acid is used, and the cervix is illuminated with a light source and the purpose is to identify aceto-white areas which may indicate tissue undergoing precancerous changes (Sankaranarayanan et al., 1998). A study of the cost effectiveness of several cervical cancer screening strategies, based on the South African experience, indicated that strategies using VIA or HPV DNA testing may offer attractive alternatives to cytology-based screening programmes in low-resource settings (Goldie et al., 2001). In developing countries, because of the lack of trained cytotechnologists and cytology laboratories, there is often a long interval (1-3 months) between the Pap screenings and when the test result is available. VIA has the advantage of requiring only low-technology equipment and the result is available immediately (Jeronimo et al., 2005). Therefore, the treatment of abnormal lesions can be done during the same consultation. This is further supported by the findings of the study that was conducted by Goldie et al., (2005) which revealed that VIA or HPV DNA testing offer cost-effective alternatives to conventional cytology-based screening in low resource settings as these require only one or two clinical visits. The results of the study that was conducted by Maree et al. (2009) revealed that VIA screening is acceptable to women due to the fact that the results are available immediately. The use of VIA as a screening tool should be considered as it is a realistic alternative for low-resource settings. VIA training should be instituted and registered nurses trained to perform it effectively. Part time registered nurses, possibly including the retired registered nurses, could perform VIAs at primary health care clinics, together with breast examinations. The major drawback of this approach that was identified by Sankaranarayanan et al. (1998) is that lesions are not detected early enough to prevent invasion because of a large proportion of the cancers detected are relatively advanced, requiring complex medical therapy that is difficult to provide in many settings. Cytology remains the best method available in screening for cervical cancer. However, in countries

Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the Developing Countries: South African Context 47

In order to address the limited capacity to read cervical smears, the alternative methods for cervical screening, for example the DNA testing for HPV and VIA will relieve pressure on the cyto-techicians. Additional posts will have to be established or, in addition, methods of

It is unethical to offer screening without ensuring that follow-up and treatment services are available for women with abnormal smears (Sackett, 1975 as cited in Kawonga & Fonn, 2008). The WHO (2002) states that for success, the cervical screening programme must have the ability to "ensure high levels of coverage of the target population, to offer high quality, caring services, to develop and monitor good referral systems that ensure good patient follow-up and to ensure that the patients receive appropriate, acceptable and caring treatment in the context of informed consent." The manner in which the health professionals perform can have a profound effect on the achievement of these. The relationship between primary and referral sites and good monitoring systems is essential in order for a screening programme to be effective. The fact that screening services offered at PHC settings are not available outside office hours can also be seen as an obstacle. A system must be put in place to ensure that working women have access to the clinics even after office hours. A booking

The South African government has produced a commendable screening programme and made a commitment to reduce cervical cancer. However, there are still challenges with the implementation of the cervical screening policy. South Africa is better placed than most sub-Saharan countries, but will not attain a successful screening programme without increased effort. An important consideration that needs to be taken into account is the cost. Frequent screening of women has considerable cost and resource implications. The limited health care budgets in most developing countries preclude initiating and sustaining such programmes. Despite calls for screening, implementation difficulties include shortages both of health funds and of number of skilled personnel. Strategies to reduce the burden on registered nurses may include training of less skilled cadres of nurses, like enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing auxiliaries for cervical screening. In order for a cervical cancer screening programme to succeed in South Africa, there must be greater political commitment so as to improve resources that are required for implementing the policy. The political will to see a national screening programme implemented is required from government, the health sector, the various medical, nursing and allied health and professional boards. Communication methods and delivery strategies aimed at encouraging women from developing countries

Abrahams, N., Wood, K. & Jewkes, R. (1996). *Cervical screening in Montagu District: Women's* 

*experiences, coverage and barriers to uptake. Research Report.* CERSA-Women's Health:

contracting private sector resources could be investigated (Fonn, 2003).

system can also be used to increase access of the screening services.

are needed in order to increase screening uptake.

Medical Research Council. ISBN: 1-874-826 48-X

**4.3 Good follow up and referral systems** 

**5. Conclusion** 

**6. References** 

with limited resources, an inexpensive and easy alternative is needed. Choosing a suitable screening test is only one aspect of a screening programme. A more fundamental and challenging issue is the organization of the programme in its totality. Whichever screening test is to be used, the challenges in organizing a screening programme are more or less the same. However, screening tests that require additional recalls and revisits for diagnostic evaluation and treatment may pose added logistic difficulties and these may emerge as another barrier for participation in low-resource settings (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001).

#### **4.2 Improving health human resources**

Due to task shifting, cervical screening previously the exclusive domain of doctors and family planning nurses was extended to all registered nurses in the public sector (Department of Health, 2000). This led to the greater availability of screening services as well as increasing the demand for additional competent nurses to do Pap smears. Making the registered nurses the primary cervical screening providers is logical, given the need to increase the services. However, Kawonga & Fonn (2008) argues that this solution fails to recognize that a screening programme entails more than just taking Pap smears. These authors further argue that there are several components that should be well-co-ordinated including the facilities for follow-up and referral of women with abnormal smears. South Africa has not invested sufficiently in health systems strengthening nor in building the management capacity to co-ordinate and monitor the screening programme (Moodley et al., 2006). In South Africa, registered nurses have an important responsibility for the implementation of the programme. Health workers in South Africa are poorly distributed, being concentrated in urban areas, private sectors and hospitals (Wadee & Khan, 2007). In order to ensure efficient utilization of registered nurses, appropriate skills mix at the PHC clinics must be ensured.

According to the South African cervical screening policy, all nurses at the clinics are expected to conduct screening but this is not happening, mainly because nurses have not been equipped with knowledge and skills (Moodley et al., 2006; Sibiya & Grainger, 2007; Smith et al., 2003). In order for the nurses to be knowledgeable about the disease and understand, accept and comply with the programme, they must be trained through continuing professional development system. Education concerning the rationale of the policy, and the natural history of the disease, may encourage nurses to perform more screening tests. Zweigenthal (1998) found a correlation between a high level of screening and nurses' knowledge or a personal interest in the level of nurses' education. This researcher reported that the screening rates increased with an increase in the level of nurses' education. If nurses have a positive attitude towards the cervical screening programme, they are likely to motivate women to have a smear done. According to the cervical screening policy, all service providers must have access to information and be technically competent to perform adequate smears with effective management of abnormal results. The policy further states that the adequacy rate of a screening facility must reach at least 70% and if the facility consistently achieves below 70%, the programme stipulates that the staff will have to be re-trained (Department of Health, 2000). Smith et al. (2003) suggested that low coverage may be due to nurses' opposition to and poor understanding of the programme. Given that the participants disagreed with the starting age and intervals for smears, and mentioned inappropriate criteria, there is a clear need for further training.

In order to address the limited capacity to read cervical smears, the alternative methods for cervical screening, for example the DNA testing for HPV and VIA will relieve pressure on the cyto-techicians. Additional posts will have to be established or, in addition, methods of contracting private sector resources could be investigated (Fonn, 2003).

#### **4.3 Good follow up and referral systems**

It is unethical to offer screening without ensuring that follow-up and treatment services are available for women with abnormal smears (Sackett, 1975 as cited in Kawonga & Fonn, 2008). The WHO (2002) states that for success, the cervical screening programme must have the ability to "ensure high levels of coverage of the target population, to offer high quality, caring services, to develop and monitor good referral systems that ensure good patient follow-up and to ensure that the patients receive appropriate, acceptable and caring treatment in the context of informed consent." The manner in which the health professionals perform can have a profound effect on the achievement of these. The relationship between primary and referral sites and good monitoring systems is essential in order for a screening programme to be effective. The fact that screening services offered at PHC settings are not available outside office hours can also be seen as an obstacle. A system must be put in place to ensure that working women have access to the clinics even after office hours. A booking system can also be used to increase access of the screening services.

#### **5. Conclusion**

46 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

with limited resources, an inexpensive and easy alternative is needed. Choosing a suitable screening test is only one aspect of a screening programme. A more fundamental and challenging issue is the organization of the programme in its totality. Whichever screening test is to be used, the challenges in organizing a screening programme are more or less the same. However, screening tests that require additional recalls and revisits for diagnostic evaluation and treatment may pose added logistic difficulties and these may emerge as another barrier for participation in low-resource settings (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2001).

Due to task shifting, cervical screening previously the exclusive domain of doctors and family planning nurses was extended to all registered nurses in the public sector (Department of Health, 2000). This led to the greater availability of screening services as well as increasing the demand for additional competent nurses to do Pap smears. Making the registered nurses the primary cervical screening providers is logical, given the need to increase the services. However, Kawonga & Fonn (2008) argues that this solution fails to recognize that a screening programme entails more than just taking Pap smears. These authors further argue that there are several components that should be well-co-ordinated including the facilities for follow-up and referral of women with abnormal smears. South Africa has not invested sufficiently in health systems strengthening nor in building the management capacity to co-ordinate and monitor the screening programme (Moodley et al., 2006). In South Africa, registered nurses have an important responsibility for the implementation of the programme. Health workers in South Africa are poorly distributed, being concentrated in urban areas, private sectors and hospitals (Wadee & Khan, 2007). In order to ensure efficient utilization of registered nurses, appropriate skills mix at the PHC

According to the South African cervical screening policy, all nurses at the clinics are expected to conduct screening but this is not happening, mainly because nurses have not been equipped with knowledge and skills (Moodley et al., 2006; Sibiya & Grainger, 2007; Smith et al., 2003). In order for the nurses to be knowledgeable about the disease and understand, accept and comply with the programme, they must be trained through continuing professional development system. Education concerning the rationale of the policy, and the natural history of the disease, may encourage nurses to perform more screening tests. Zweigenthal (1998) found a correlation between a high level of screening and nurses' knowledge or a personal interest in the level of nurses' education. This researcher reported that the screening rates increased with an increase in the level of nurses' education. If nurses have a positive attitude towards the cervical screening programme, they are likely to motivate women to have a smear done. According to the cervical screening policy, all service providers must have access to information and be technically competent to perform adequate smears with effective management of abnormal results. The policy further states that the adequacy rate of a screening facility must reach at least 70% and if the facility consistently achieves below 70%, the programme stipulates that the staff will have to be re-trained (Department of Health, 2000). Smith et al. (2003) suggested that low coverage may be due to nurses' opposition to and poor understanding of the programme. Given that the participants disagreed with the starting age and intervals for smears, and mentioned

inappropriate criteria, there is a clear need for further training.

**4.2 Improving health human resources** 

clinics must be ensured.

The South African government has produced a commendable screening programme and made a commitment to reduce cervical cancer. However, there are still challenges with the implementation of the cervical screening policy. South Africa is better placed than most sub-Saharan countries, but will not attain a successful screening programme without increased effort. An important consideration that needs to be taken into account is the cost. Frequent screening of women has considerable cost and resource implications. The limited health care budgets in most developing countries preclude initiating and sustaining such programmes. Despite calls for screening, implementation difficulties include shortages both of health funds and of number of skilled personnel. Strategies to reduce the burden on registered nurses may include training of less skilled cadres of nurses, like enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing auxiliaries for cervical screening. In order for a cervical cancer screening programme to succeed in South Africa, there must be greater political commitment so as to improve resources that are required for implementing the policy. The political will to see a national screening programme implemented is required from government, the health sector, the various medical, nursing and allied health and professional boards. Communication methods and delivery strategies aimed at encouraging women from developing countries are needed in order to increase screening uptake.

#### **6. References**

Abrahams, N., Wood, K. & Jewkes, R. (1996). *Cervical screening in Montagu District: Women's experiences, coverage and barriers to uptake. Research Report.* CERSA-Women's Health: Medical Research Council. ISBN: 1-874-826 48-X

Challenges to Cervical Cancer in the Developing Countries: South African Context 49

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**4** 

Atara Ntekim

*Nigeria* 

*Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan* 

**Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa** 

"Cervical cancer is fully preventable and curable, at low cost and at low risk, when screening to facilitate the timely detection of early precursor lesions in asymptomatic women is available together with appropriate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up" (Lewis,

The burden of cervical cancer is quite low in the developed countries of the world. The situation is quite the reverse in developing countries where it constitutes a major health problem. While the incidence is decreasing in the former, it is on the increase in the later. This is a source of great concern considering the fact that cervical cancer is preventable and curable at low cost with currently available methods. Sub Sahara Africa is the region with the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the world with concomitant high mortality affecting women at their prime. There are no screening programs for early detection of precancerous lesions within the countries of Sub Sahara Africa. Most screening activities are done as pilot or research projects which are discontinued on completion. South Africa is the only country in the region with a national cytology based screening program since 2001 but then coverage remains poor and the impact on invasive cervical cancer is unknown (Louie et al.2009). The onset of HIV/AIDS epidemic that is highest in the sub region has elevated the problem of cervical cancer to a serious level. To compound the problem is the widespread lack of resources associated with the region. The countries of Sub Sahara Africa are shown in figure 1.

The aim of this work is to appraise the incidence, mortality, state of prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in sub-Sahara Africa. This highlight is necessary so that health professionals, philanthropists, policy makers, advocates and other stake holders can appreciate and understand the state of the disease and respond through the development of treatment, preventive and control programs that will lessen the burden and mortality from this disease in the sub region. It is also aimed at highlighting the need to see that cervical

The method used was through the synthesis of data and information derived from available current published scientific works from peer reviewed journals, workshop proceedings,

cancer should be considered a public health problem in the region.

**1. Introduction** 

**2. Aim** 

**3. Methods** 

M. Pan American Health Organization, 2004).


## **Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa**

#### Atara Ntekim

*Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan Nigeria* 

#### **1. Introduction**

50 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Sibiya, M.N. & Grainger, L.D. (2007). An assessment of the implementation of the provincial

Sibiya, M.N. & Grainger, L.D. (2010). Registered nurses' perceptions of the cervical screening

Sitas, F., Madhoo, J. & Wessie, J. (1998). Cancer in South Africa, 1993-1995. National Cancer

Smith, N., & Hoffman, M. (2000). *A situation analysis of cervical cancer screening in Mitchell's* 

Smith, N., Moodley, M & Hoffman, M. (2003). Challenges to cervical cancer screening in the Western Cape Province. *South African Medical Journal,* 93(1), pp. 32-35

Tarimo, E. (1991). *Towards a healthy district: Organizing and managing district health systems* 

Wadee, H & Khan, F. (2007). Human resources in health. In: Harrison, S., Bhana, R. & Ntuli, A., editors. *South African Health Review, 2007.* Health Systems Trust: Durban Walker, A.R.P., Michelow, P.M. & Walker, B.F. (2002). Cervix cancer in African women in

Walraven, G. (2003). Prevention of cervical cancer in Africa: a daunting task? *African Journal* 

World Health Organization. (2001). Effective screening programmes for cervical cancer in

World Health Organization. (2002). Cervical *cancer screening for developing countries. Report of* 

Zweigenthal, V. (1998). *An assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of the cervical* 

Durban, South Africa. *International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics,* 79, pp. 45-

low- and middle-income developing countries. *Bulletin of the World Health* 

*screening following policy guidelines into the routine services of the Eastern Metropolitan Local Council.* The South African Institute for Medical Research. University of

Ilembe region, KwaZulu-Natal. *Curationis*, 30(1), pp. 48-55

Africa. *Africa Journal of Nursing & Midwifery,* 12(1), pp. 15-26

Registry of South Africa: Johannesburg

South African Yearbook 2004/05. [Accessed on 14 December 2007: http://www.gcis.gov.za/docs/publications/yearbook.htm]

UNAIDS. (2008). Report *on the global AIDS epidemic.* UNAIDS: Geneva

*based on Primary Health Care.* WHO: Geneva

*of Reproductive Health,* 7 pp. 7-12

*Organization* 79(10), pp. 954-962

Witwatersrand: Johannesburg

*a WHO consultation.* Geneva. ISBN: 9241545720.

Town.

46

cervical screening programme in selected Primary Health Care Clinics in the

programme in primary health care clinics in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South

*Plain Health District.* Unpublished Masters in Public Health. University of Cape

"Cervical cancer is fully preventable and curable, at low cost and at low risk, when screening to facilitate the timely detection of early precursor lesions in asymptomatic women is available together with appropriate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up" (Lewis, M. Pan American Health Organization, 2004).

The burden of cervical cancer is quite low in the developed countries of the world. The situation is quite the reverse in developing countries where it constitutes a major health problem. While the incidence is decreasing in the former, it is on the increase in the later. This is a source of great concern considering the fact that cervical cancer is preventable and curable at low cost with currently available methods. Sub Sahara Africa is the region with the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the world with concomitant high mortality affecting women at their prime. There are no screening programs for early detection of precancerous lesions within the countries of Sub Sahara Africa. Most screening activities are done as pilot or research projects which are discontinued on completion. South Africa is the only country in the region with a national cytology based screening program since 2001 but then coverage remains poor and the impact on invasive cervical cancer is unknown (Louie et al.2009). The onset of HIV/AIDS epidemic that is highest in the sub region has elevated the problem of cervical cancer to a serious level. To compound the problem is the widespread lack of resources associated with the region. The countries of Sub Sahara Africa are shown in figure 1.

#### **2. Aim**

The aim of this work is to appraise the incidence, mortality, state of prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in sub-Sahara Africa. This highlight is necessary so that health professionals, philanthropists, policy makers, advocates and other stake holders can appreciate and understand the state of the disease and respond through the development of treatment, preventive and control programs that will lessen the burden and mortality from this disease in the sub region. It is also aimed at highlighting the need to see that cervical cancer should be considered a public health problem in the region.

#### **3. Methods**

The method used was through the synthesis of data and information derived from available current published scientific works from peer reviewed journals, workshop proceedings,

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 53

**Eastern Africa 34.5 25.3** 

**Western Africa 33.7 24.0** 

**Southern Africa 26.8 14.8** 

South – Central Asia 24.6 14.1

South America 24.1 10.8

Melanesia 23.7 16.6

**Middle Africa 23.0 17.0** 

Central America 22.2 11.1

Caribbean 20.8 9.4

South – Eastern Asia 15.8 8.3

Central and Eastern Europe 14.5 6.3

Micronesia/ Polynesia 13.4 4.9

Eastern Asia 9.6 3.9

Northern Europe 8.3 2.4

Southern Europe 8.0 2.6

Western Europe 6.9 2.0

Northern Africa 6.6 4.0

Northern America 5.7 1.7

Australia/ New Zealand 5.0 1.0

Western Asia 4.5 2.1

(Extracted from GLOBOCAN 2008 by Jemal et al., 2011).

economic stability of their families (Parkin et al., 2002).

Table 1. Age Standardized Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates by World Area

cancer is however the second common cancer among women after cancer of the breast in some areas like Ibadan in Nigeria (Adebamowo et al. 1999). About 60–75% of women in sub-Saharan Africa who develop cervical cancer live in rural areas. Many of these women go untreated, mostly due to lack of access (financial and geographical) to health care. Women in sub-Saharan Africa lose more years to cervical cancer than to any other type of cancer. Unfortunately, it affects them at a time of life when they are critical to the social and

World Area Incidence per 100,000 Mortality per 100,000

Fig. 1. Map showing the countries of Sub Sahara Africa (Map Source: www.world map .org) (NB Southern Sudan became independent July 2011)

hospital and regional based cancer registry figures , reports from specific centres, conference proceedings and a review of work done on cervical cancer in the authors institution The University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria.

#### **4. Findings and discussions**

Cervical cancer occurs worldwide but the highest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are in Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa, as well as South-Central Asia and South America. Rates are lowest in Western Asia, Australia/New Zealand as shown in table 1.

In sub-Saharan Africa cervical cancer accounts for 22.2% of all cancers in women and it is also the most common cause of cancer death among women (Parkin et al.,2003). Cervical

Fig. 1. Map showing the countries of Sub Sahara Africa (Map Source: www.world map .org)

hospital and regional based cancer registry figures , reports from specific centres, conference proceedings and a review of work done on cervical cancer in the authors institution The

Cervical cancer occurs worldwide but the highest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are in Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa, as well as South-Central Asia and South America. Rates are lowest in Western Asia, Australia/New Zealand as shown in table 1.

In sub-Saharan Africa cervical cancer accounts for 22.2% of all cancers in women and it is also the most common cause of cancer death among women (Parkin et al.,2003). Cervical

(NB Southern Sudan became independent July 2011)

University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria.

**4. Findings and discussions** 


Table 1. Age Standardized Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates by World Area (Extracted from GLOBOCAN 2008 by Jemal et al., 2011).

cancer is however the second common cancer among women after cancer of the breast in some areas like Ibadan in Nigeria (Adebamowo et al. 1999). About 60–75% of women in sub-Saharan Africa who develop cervical cancer live in rural areas. Many of these women go untreated, mostly due to lack of access (financial and geographical) to health care. Women in sub-Saharan Africa lose more years to cervical cancer than to any other type of cancer. Unfortunately, it affects them at a time of life when they are critical to the social and economic stability of their families (Parkin et al., 2002).

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 55

HPV prevalence was high not only among young women, but also in middle and old age. Single women (odds ratio, OR=2.1; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.1–3.9) and illiterate women (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1–2.5) showed increased HPV positivity.. High prevalence of HPV in all age groups may be a distinctive feature of populations where HPV transmission continues into middle age and cervical cancer incidence is very high. Many of the factors that increase both HPV acquisition and promote the oncogenic effect of the virus are also very widespread in Africa (Schmauz et al 1989). These include: early marriage, polygamous marriages and high parity. Polygamy is reported to increase the risk of cervical cancer two-fold and the risk increases with increasing number of wives (Bayo et al., 2002). This is part of the male factor in addition to prostitution that lead to the

High parity, which is the norm in some cultures in Africa, is also a recognised, HPV-related

The prevalence of HPV has been shown to be higher in uncircumcised men than in circumcised men. In a study to investigate the association between male circumcision (MC) and high risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) prevalence, Auvert and colleagues (2009) using urethral swabs collected during a period of 262 consecutive days among participants from the intervention (circumcised) and control (uncircumcised) groups who were reporting for a scheduled follow-up visit reported that HR-HPV prevalences among intervention and control groups were 14.8% (94/637) and 22.3% (140/627). Confounder factors (ethnic group, age, education, sexual behaviour including condom use, marital status, and HIV status) had no effect on the results. Multiple HR-HPV prevalence was 7.0% (89/1267) It was significantly lower among men of the intervention group compared with men of the control group (4.2% vs. 9.9%) .The prevalence of HR-HPV infections in their study was even thought to be underestimated since detection in the urethra is significantly lower than detection in the glans, corona sulcus or the penis shaft. As a corollary, some randomized controlled trials have shown a partial protective effect of male circumcision (MC) on the acquisition of HIV by males in Africa. The effect of MC on HR-HPV reinforces the WHO-UNAIDS recommendation for the implementation of MC programs in countries with a high HIV prevalence, a low MC prevalence and a high MC acceptability (Auvert et al., 2009). In Sub Sahara Africa these countries are mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. Drain et al., in 2006, published an analysis of classification of developing countries according to prevalence of male circumcision. The categories were low, 20%, intermediate 20-80% and high > 80%. The classification for developing countries

This report noted that male circumcision, which is routinely practiced in the Middle East, Northern and Western Africa, and Western Asia, was associated with lower rates of certain STIs, HIV and cervical cancer (a proxy for HPV), but not with infections transmitted by nonsexual routes. In general, more male circumcision was strongly associated with lower cervical cancer rates and fewer HIV cases, independent of religion. Furthermore, male circumcision was independently associated with HIV among countries with primarily heterosexual HIV transmission, and not among countries with primarily homosexual or injection drug use HIV transmission. These findings all suggest that male circumcision is a true protective factor that reduces the sexual transmission of HIV and possibly HPV,

high prevalence of HPV in Sub Sahara Africa.

in Africa is presented in table 2.

independent of Muslim and Christian religions.

co-factor for the development of cervical cancer (Brinton et al 1989).

The true incidence of cervical cancer in many African countries is unknown as there is gross under-reporting. Only very few countries have functional cancer registries and recordkeeping is minimal or non-existent in many countries. Some of the figures quoted in the literature are hospital-based, which represents a small fraction of women dying from cervical cancer, as most women cannot access hospital care and die at home. A mortality rate of 35 per 100,000 is reported in Eastern Africa. The reported mortality rates in developed countries with successful screening programs seldom exceed 5 per 100,000 women (Chokunonga et al., 2002).

#### **4.1 Factors responsible for the high prevalence**

#### **4.1.1 Socio-cultural factors**

Human papillioma virus (HPV) has been isolated in most cases of cervical cancer in all parts of the world. Epidemiologic studies have shown that the association of genital human papilloma virus (HPV) with cervical cancer is strong, independent of other risk factors, and consistent in several countries .The International Biological Study on Cervical Cancer (IBSCC) Study Group led by Bosch, F. in 1995 reported that HPV DNA was detected in 93% of the tumors, with no significant variation in HPV positivity among countries. HPV 16 was present in 50% of the specimens, HPV 18 in 14%, HPV 45 in 8%, and HPV 31 in 5%. HPV 16 was the predominant type in all countries except Indonesia, where HPV 18 was more common. There was significant geographic variation in the prevalence of some less common virus types. A clustering of HPV 45 was apparent in western Africa, while HPV 39 and HPV 59 were almost entirely confined to Central and South America. In squamous cell tumors, HPV 16 predominated (51% of such specimens), but HPV 18 predominated in adenocarcinomas (56% of such tumors) and adenosquamous tumors (39% of such tumors). The report concluded that the results confirm the role of genital HPVs, which are transmitted sexually, as the central etiologic factor in cervical cancer worldwide (Bosch F et al., 1995). Epidemiological studies employing a variety of HPV typing protocols have been collated in meta-analyses. HPV-16/18 is estimated to account for 70% of all cervical cancers worldwide, although the estimated HPV-16/18 fraction is slightly higher in more developed (72–77%) than in less developed (65–72%) regions. About 41–67% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 16–32% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 6–27% of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) are also estimated to be HPV-16/18-positive, thus highlighting the increasing relative frequency of HPV-16/18 with increasing lesion severity. After HPV-16/18, the six most common HPV types are the same in all world regions, namely 31, 33, 35, 45, 52 and 58; these account for an additional 20% of cervical cancers worldwide.(Clifford et al., 2006)

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the necessary cause of cervical cancer, is endemic in Africa. In a study to investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for cervical infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in an inner-city area of Ibadan, Nigeria, Thomas et al., (2004) interviewed and obtained a sample of cervical cells from 932 sexually active women aged 15 years or older. A total of 32 different HPV types were identified with an HPV prevalence of 26.3% overall and 24.8% among women without cervical lesions; or age-standardised to the world standard population of 28.3 and 27.3%, respectively. Highrisk HPV types predominated, most notably HPV 16, 31, 35 and 58. In all, 33.5% of infections involved more than one HPV type. Unlike most populations studied so far,

The true incidence of cervical cancer in many African countries is unknown as there is gross under-reporting. Only very few countries have functional cancer registries and recordkeeping is minimal or non-existent in many countries. Some of the figures quoted in the literature are hospital-based, which represents a small fraction of women dying from cervical cancer, as most women cannot access hospital care and die at home. A mortality rate of 35 per 100,000 is reported in Eastern Africa. The reported mortality rates in developed countries with successful screening programs seldom exceed 5 per 100,000

Human papillioma virus (HPV) has been isolated in most cases of cervical cancer in all parts of the world. Epidemiologic studies have shown that the association of genital human papilloma virus (HPV) with cervical cancer is strong, independent of other risk factors, and consistent in several countries .The International Biological Study on Cervical Cancer (IBSCC) Study Group led by Bosch, F. in 1995 reported that HPV DNA was detected in 93% of the tumors, with no significant variation in HPV positivity among countries. HPV 16 was present in 50% of the specimens, HPV 18 in 14%, HPV 45 in 8%, and HPV 31 in 5%. HPV 16 was the predominant type in all countries except Indonesia, where HPV 18 was more common. There was significant geographic variation in the prevalence of some less common virus types. A clustering of HPV 45 was apparent in western Africa, while HPV 39 and HPV 59 were almost entirely confined to Central and South America. In squamous cell tumors, HPV 16 predominated (51% of such specimens), but HPV 18 predominated in adenocarcinomas (56% of such tumors) and adenosquamous tumors (39% of such tumors). The report concluded that the results confirm the role of genital HPVs, which are transmitted sexually, as the central etiologic factor in cervical cancer worldwide (Bosch F et al., 1995). Epidemiological studies employing a variety of HPV typing protocols have been collated in meta-analyses. HPV-16/18 is estimated to account for 70% of all cervical cancers worldwide, although the estimated HPV-16/18 fraction is slightly higher in more developed (72–77%) than in less developed (65–72%) regions. About 41–67% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 16–32% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 6–27% of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) are also estimated to be HPV-16/18-positive, thus highlighting the increasing relative frequency of HPV-16/18 with increasing lesion severity. After HPV-16/18, the six most common HPV types are the same in all world regions, namely 31, 33, 35, 45, 52 and 58; these account for an

women (Chokunonga et al., 2002).

**4.1.1 Socio-cultural factors** 

**4.1 Factors responsible for the high prevalence** 

additional 20% of cervical cancers worldwide.(Clifford et al., 2006)

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the necessary cause of cervical cancer, is endemic in Africa. In a study to investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for cervical infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in an inner-city area of Ibadan, Nigeria, Thomas et al., (2004) interviewed and obtained a sample of cervical cells from 932 sexually active women aged 15 years or older. A total of 32 different HPV types were identified with an HPV prevalence of 26.3% overall and 24.8% among women without cervical lesions; or age-standardised to the world standard population of 28.3 and 27.3%, respectively. Highrisk HPV types predominated, most notably HPV 16, 31, 35 and 58. In all, 33.5% of infections involved more than one HPV type. Unlike most populations studied so far, HPV prevalence was high not only among young women, but also in middle and old age. Single women (odds ratio, OR=2.1; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.1–3.9) and illiterate women (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1–2.5) showed increased HPV positivity.. High prevalence of HPV in all age groups may be a distinctive feature of populations where HPV transmission continues into middle age and cervical cancer incidence is very high. Many of the factors that increase both HPV acquisition and promote the oncogenic effect of the virus are also very widespread in Africa (Schmauz et al 1989). These include: early marriage, polygamous marriages and high parity. Polygamy is reported to increase the risk of cervical cancer two-fold and the risk increases with increasing number of wives (Bayo et al., 2002). This is part of the male factor in addition to prostitution that lead to the high prevalence of HPV in Sub Sahara Africa.

High parity, which is the norm in some cultures in Africa, is also a recognised, HPV-related co-factor for the development of cervical cancer (Brinton et al 1989).

The prevalence of HPV has been shown to be higher in uncircumcised men than in circumcised men. In a study to investigate the association between male circumcision (MC) and high risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) prevalence, Auvert and colleagues (2009) using urethral swabs collected during a period of 262 consecutive days among participants from the intervention (circumcised) and control (uncircumcised) groups who were reporting for a scheduled follow-up visit reported that HR-HPV prevalences among intervention and control groups were 14.8% (94/637) and 22.3% (140/627). Confounder factors (ethnic group, age, education, sexual behaviour including condom use, marital status, and HIV status) had no effect on the results. Multiple HR-HPV prevalence was 7.0% (89/1267) It was significantly lower among men of the intervention group compared with men of the control group (4.2% vs. 9.9%) .The prevalence of HR-HPV infections in their study was even thought to be underestimated since detection in the urethra is significantly lower than detection in the glans, corona sulcus or the penis shaft. As a corollary, some randomized controlled trials have shown a partial protective effect of male circumcision (MC) on the acquisition of HIV by males in Africa. The effect of MC on HR-HPV reinforces the WHO-UNAIDS recommendation for the implementation of MC programs in countries with a high HIV prevalence, a low MC prevalence and a high MC acceptability (Auvert et al., 2009). In Sub Sahara Africa these countries are mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. Drain et al., in 2006, published an analysis of classification of developing countries according to prevalence of male circumcision. The categories were low, 20%, intermediate 20-80% and high > 80%. The classification for developing countries in Africa is presented in table 2.

This report noted that male circumcision, which is routinely practiced in the Middle East, Northern and Western Africa, and Western Asia, was associated with lower rates of certain STIs, HIV and cervical cancer (a proxy for HPV), but not with infections transmitted by nonsexual routes. In general, more male circumcision was strongly associated with lower cervical cancer rates and fewer HIV cases, independent of religion. Furthermore, male circumcision was independently associated with HIV among countries with primarily heterosexual HIV transmission, and not among countries with primarily homosexual or injection drug use HIV transmission. These findings all suggest that male circumcision is a true protective factor that reduces the sexual transmission of HIV and possibly HPV, independent of Muslim and Christian religions.

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 57

cohabitation prevail encouraging the transmission of HPV. War is associated with male sexual promiscuity, which in turn contributes to the development of cervical cancer among sexually monogamous women. In 1996, a case–control study sponsored by Stanford University documented that the Vietnam War had contributed substantially to the problem of cervical cancer in contemporary Vietnam, and the Vietnam/American Cervical Cancer Prevention Project was established as an all-volunteer non profit organization. Publication of data linking war to disease was delayed for 8 years in an attempt to ease the process of reconciliation by offering what most would acknowledge to be a remedy in advance of what

High rates of invasive cervical cancer was noted in coastal areas of Coasta Rica and this was attributed to difficulties in having access to treatment. Most countries of Sub Sahara Africa are located within the Tropical Rain Forest with difficult terrain as there are lots of swampy areas and thick and mountainous forests. This makes access to screening, health education

Poor nutritional status and infections, e.g. malaria, HIV and TB, are ravaging sub-Saharan Africa and have made many people immuno-compromised. Several studies have demonstrated the association of HIV with HPV. The prevalence of CIN has been estimated to be as high as 20–40% in HIV-positive women (Wright et al 1994). HIV-positive women are more likely to have persistent HPV infections than HIV-negative women. In a study of 2,198 women who attended gynaecological clinics in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, HIV-positive women had a significantly higher prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) (La Ruche et al., 1998). Temmerman et al (1999) reported a five-fold increased risk of high-grade SIL among 513 HIV-positive women in a family planning clinic in Kenya. Other reports from the region show that women with HIV develop cervical cancer at an earlier age than women who are HIV-negative(Moodley 2001). Gichangi et al(2003) in Kenya found that young women under the age of 35 who had invasive cervical cancer were 2.6 times more likely to be HIV positive than controls of similar age (35% vs. 17%, OR 2.6, p=0.043). A recently published study from Tanzania showed that the prevalence of HIV-1 was much higher among the cervical cancer patients (21.0%) than among the controls (11.6%). HIV-1 was a significant risk factor for cancer of the cervix (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.4–5.9).(Moodley et al., 2006) Sub-Saharan Africa harbours 67% of the world's population of people living with HIV and

**4.1.4 Lack of awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer in Africa** 

Cervical cancer is yet to be recognised as an important public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sub Sahara Africa, priority is given to infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections and HIV/AIDS all of which have preventive and management strategies. Several studies have shown poor knowledge of cervical cancer in Africa, which cuts across different literacy levels. Among 500 attendees of a maternal and child health clinic in Lagos-Nigeria only 4.3% were found to be aware of cervical cancer. (Anorlu et al., 2004) In 2004, also in Lagos-Nigeria, 81.7% of 139 patients with advanced cervical cancer had never heard of cervical cancer before, and 20%, 30% and 10% respectively thought the symptoms they had were due to resumption of

some will perceive to be an accusation. (Suba et al., 2006)

and treatment difficult.

**4.1.3 Biological factors** 

AIDS (Buga G 1998).


Table 2. Category of male circumcision prevalence for developing countries in Africa (Adapted from Drain et al., 2006)

#### **4.1.2 Socio-economic factors**

Worldwide women of low socio-economic status have a greater risk of having cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is often referred to as a disease of poverty and of poor women. A recent study in Mali in West Africa showed that within a population widely infected with HPV, poor social conditions, high parity and poor hygienic conditions were the main cofactors for cervical cancer (Palacio-Mejia et al., 2003). Sub Sahara Africa also has widespread conditions that encourage sub standard living conditions. These include wars, political chaos, internal conflicts, natural disasters, famine and drought. These often lead to large populations being displaced externally and internally for long periods of time. Under this refugee- like conditions, social vices like rapes, prostitution and multiple marriages and

Male circumcision prevalence

Burundi Cote d'ivoire Angola Kenya

Cape Verde Ethiopia Benin Liberia

Malawi Lesotho Burkina Faso Libya

Rwanda South Africa Chad Mali

Swaziland Sudan Congo (Brazzaville) Mauritania

Zambia Tanzania Dem Rep of Congo Mauritius

Egypt Niger

Equatorial Guinea Nigeria

Eritrea Senegal

Gambia Somalia

Ghana Togo

Guinea Tunisia

Worldwide women of low socio-economic status have a greater risk of having cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is often referred to as a disease of poverty and of poor women. A recent study in Mali in West Africa showed that within a population widely infected with HPV, poor social conditions, high parity and poor hygienic conditions were the main cofactors for cervical cancer (Palacio-Mejia et al., 2003). Sub Sahara Africa also has widespread conditions that encourage sub standard living conditions. These include wars, political chaos, internal conflicts, natural disasters, famine and drought. These often lead to large populations being displaced externally and internally for long periods of time. Under this refugee- like conditions, social vices like rapes, prostitution and multiple marriages and

Table 2. Category of male circumcision prevalence for developing countries in Africa

Gabon Sierra Leone

Zimbabwe Uganda Djibouti Morocco

Namibia Mozambique Cameroon Madagascar

Republic Algeria Guinea-Bissau

Low (<20%) Intermediate (20-80%) High (>80%)

Botswana Central African

(Adapted from Drain et al., 2006)

**4.1.2 Socio-economic factors** 

cohabitation prevail encouraging the transmission of HPV. War is associated with male sexual promiscuity, which in turn contributes to the development of cervical cancer among sexually monogamous women. In 1996, a case–control study sponsored by Stanford University documented that the Vietnam War had contributed substantially to the problem of cervical cancer in contemporary Vietnam, and the Vietnam/American Cervical Cancer Prevention Project was established as an all-volunteer non profit organization. Publication of data linking war to disease was delayed for 8 years in an attempt to ease the process of reconciliation by offering what most would acknowledge to be a remedy in advance of what some will perceive to be an accusation. (Suba et al., 2006)

High rates of invasive cervical cancer was noted in coastal areas of Coasta Rica and this was attributed to difficulties in having access to treatment. Most countries of Sub Sahara Africa are located within the Tropical Rain Forest with difficult terrain as there are lots of swampy areas and thick and mountainous forests. This makes access to screening, health education and treatment difficult.

#### **4.1.3 Biological factors**

Poor nutritional status and infections, e.g. malaria, HIV and TB, are ravaging sub-Saharan Africa and have made many people immuno-compromised. Several studies have demonstrated the association of HIV with HPV. The prevalence of CIN has been estimated to be as high as 20–40% in HIV-positive women (Wright et al 1994). HIV-positive women are more likely to have persistent HPV infections than HIV-negative women. In a study of 2,198 women who attended gynaecological clinics in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, HIV-positive women had a significantly higher prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) (La Ruche et al., 1998). Temmerman et al (1999) reported a five-fold increased risk of high-grade SIL among 513 HIV-positive women in a family planning clinic in Kenya. Other reports from the region show that women with HIV develop cervical cancer at an earlier age than women who are HIV-negative(Moodley 2001). Gichangi et al(2003) in Kenya found that young women under the age of 35 who had invasive cervical cancer were 2.6 times more likely to be HIV positive than controls of similar age (35% vs. 17%, OR 2.6, p=0.043). A recently published study from Tanzania showed that the prevalence of HIV-1 was much higher among the cervical cancer patients (21.0%) than among the controls (11.6%). HIV-1 was a significant risk factor for cancer of the cervix (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.4–5.9).(Moodley et al., 2006) Sub-Saharan Africa harbours 67% of the world's population of people living with HIV and AIDS (Buga G 1998).

#### **4.1.4 Lack of awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer in Africa**

Cervical cancer is yet to be recognised as an important public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sub Sahara Africa, priority is given to infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections and HIV/AIDS all of which have preventive and management strategies. Several studies have shown poor knowledge of cervical cancer in Africa, which cuts across different literacy levels. Among 500 attendees of a maternal and child health clinic in Lagos-Nigeria only 4.3% were found to be aware of cervical cancer. (Anorlu et al., 2004) In 2004, also in Lagos-Nigeria, 81.7% of 139 patients with advanced cervical cancer had never heard of cervical cancer before, and 20%, 30% and 10% respectively thought the symptoms they had were due to resumption of

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 59

between sex and cervical cancer was known, less was known about other risk factors like their partner's prior sexual experiences and very little was known about the link between

Very few women in sub-Saharan Africa are ever screened for cervical cancer. None of the 500 women attending a maternal and child health clinic in a poor area of Lagos in 1999 had ever had a Pap smear .Only 9% of health care workers in two health institutions in Nigeria had ever had a Pap smear. In a study among medical workers in a Ugandan hospital (doctors , nurses and medical students) Only 19% of the female medical workers had ever had a cervical cancer screening test done. The reasons for not having been screened included: not feeling at risk, lack of symptoms, carelessness, fear of vaginal examination, lack of interest, test being unpleasant and not yet being of risky age. Moreover, 25% of the female respondents said that they would only accept a vaginal examination by a female health worker.(Mutyaba et al., 2006) In a similar study among nurses in a Tanzanian hospital concerning nurses' own cervical cancer screening practices most (116/137) of the respondents had never had a Pap smear the most common reason (54.7%) was not knowing where to go for the test, followed by seeing no reason for the test (13.1%), being afraid of the procedure (9.5%) and being afraid of bad results

Some of the few women who do have access to screening do not get themselves screened because they have wrong beliefs about cervical cancer. (Anorlu et al., 2007). Less than 1% of women in four West African countries had ever been screened (Gichangi et al., 2003). Moreover, there are very few cervical screening services in Africa and many of them are based in secondary and tertiary health care facilities located in urban areas. Only 5% of 504 general practitioners in Lagos Nigeria in 2004 screened their patients (Denny et al 2006). Women who use these services are generally young, and smears are thus being taken from a

Screening in most developing countries like the countries within the sub region is mainly opportunistic, characterized by an estimated low coverage, coexisting with over-screening of women with access to health services, and an absence of quality control procedures. Policies for cervical cancer screening in most countries vary and, most often nonexistent . Formulation and ensuring compliance with national program guidelines is an essential step toward significantly reducing the burden of cervical cancer (Arrosi et al. 2010). This type of service does not reach women most at risk, i.e. older women aged 35–60 years, especially those who live in rural areas. Cytology-based screening, which is used in developed countries, is resource intensive, and difficult to realise in very many countries in sub-Saharan Africa because of poor health care infrastructure and lack of resources. There are very few cytopathologists, cytoscreeners and cytotechnicians; some have inadequate training. Quality control is inadequate. Histopathological services are extremely limited in many countries. Malawi, a country with a cervical cancer incidence rate of 47 per 100,000 women, had one pathologist, one colposcope, no cyto-technicians and no facilities for cervical cancer screening or treatment as at 2001. The situation is not much different presently. The default rate among those with cytological abnormalities reaches 60–80% due

to the absence of effective mechanisms for recall of women with abnormal smears.

HPV and cervical cancer.

(7.3%).(Urasa & Darj 2009)

relatively low-risk group.

**4.1.5 Poor cervical cancer screening** 

menses, lower genital infection and irregular menses. Almost all the women (98%) believed that their advanced disease was curable, 12% thought it was not a serious disease and only 9% understood that it was cancer and therefore serious (Ajayi et al., 1998). Similar studies in Kenya and Tanzania also reported very poor knowledge of the disease in patients. (Gichangi et al., 2003 & Kidanto et al., 2002). Poor knowledge is not limited to patients alone, however; health care workers who are supposed to be better informed do not have good knowledge of the disease either. In Lagos Nigeria, delay by primary health care providers in referring cases of cervical cancer was found to be an important cause of women presenting with latestage disease. It took a mean of 9.35 ± 12.9 months for primary health care providers to diagnose and refer women with cervical cancer to a tertiary hospital for management. (Anorlu et al., 2004).

Education improves knowledge and acceptability of preventive measures against cervical cancer. In a study on cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccine acceptance among 375 female university students in Northern Nigeria, a total of 133 participants knew of HPV (35.5%), 202 (53.9%) had heard of cervical carcinoma and 277 (74.0%) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. (Ilyasu et al., 2010). Apochie and colleague (2009) conducted a cross sectional survey among college students aged 18 years and above, attending a large university in Accra, Ghana. A sample of 157 students was selected to study knowledge and beliefs about cervical cancer screening. In general, respondents seemed to understand that cervical cancer screening had benefits. Over 64 percent believed that the test could find cervical changes before they became cancerous while 78.5% thought those changes could be easily cured. Among the perceived barriers to screening, the most prevalent perceived barrier was that only half of respondents believed that the purpose of cervical cancer was to diagnose cancer, the second commonest reported barrier (40.6%) was the belief that their partner would not allow them to obtain cervical cancer screening. The following barriers were also important; cost (23.2%), not knowing where to go (24.3%), and belief that everyone would think they were sexually active (24.6%). Encouragingly, few believed that a pap test would be painful (9.4%). While more than 68% perceived that young women were susceptible to cervical cancer, a lower percentage (52.5%) believed that they themselves were at risk for cervical cancer. About three quarters of respondents (73%) believed that cervical cancer was a serious disease that would make a woman's life difficult and about 62% of students also believed that there were effective cures for cervical cancer. In general, a low percentage received screening cues from their social environment by way of knowing peers who had screened or from a healthcare worker's recommendation. Six of the fifteen respondents who had received at least one recommendation from a healthcare worker to get cervical screening, scheduled and obtained one. The subset reporting having received a health care worker recommendation but that reported not having the test, indicated the following reasons; they could not afford it, they did not know where to get screening, they had no time to schedule and obtain screening and they felt it was embarrassing to expose themselves for screening. About a third reported ever having heard a mass media discussion on cervical cancer while a fifth have at least once listened to a discussion on cervical cancer at a church or other social gathering. About half also stated that they would be willing to obtain the cheaper alternative cervical cancer screening using visual inspection and mild acetic acid, if a doctor recommended it. Overall there was good awareness of the issues related to screening, although there were specific gaps in knowledge about risk factors and screening intervals. For instance, it was found that although the relationship

menses, lower genital infection and irregular menses. Almost all the women (98%) believed that their advanced disease was curable, 12% thought it was not a serious disease and only 9% understood that it was cancer and therefore serious (Ajayi et al., 1998). Similar studies in Kenya and Tanzania also reported very poor knowledge of the disease in patients. (Gichangi et al., 2003 & Kidanto et al., 2002). Poor knowledge is not limited to patients alone, however; health care workers who are supposed to be better informed do not have good knowledge of the disease either. In Lagos Nigeria, delay by primary health care providers in referring cases of cervical cancer was found to be an important cause of women presenting with latestage disease. It took a mean of 9.35 ± 12.9 months for primary health care providers to diagnose and refer women with cervical cancer to a tertiary hospital for management.

Education improves knowledge and acceptability of preventive measures against cervical cancer. In a study on cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccine acceptance among 375 female university students in Northern Nigeria, a total of 133 participants knew of HPV (35.5%), 202 (53.9%) had heard of cervical carcinoma and 277 (74.0%) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. (Ilyasu et al., 2010). Apochie and colleague (2009) conducted a cross sectional survey among college students aged 18 years and above, attending a large university in Accra, Ghana. A sample of 157 students was selected to study knowledge and beliefs about cervical cancer screening. In general, respondents seemed to understand that cervical cancer screening had benefits. Over 64 percent believed that the test could find cervical changes before they became cancerous while 78.5% thought those changes could be easily cured. Among the perceived barriers to screening, the most prevalent perceived barrier was that only half of respondents believed that the purpose of cervical cancer was to diagnose cancer, the second commonest reported barrier (40.6%) was the belief that their partner would not allow them to obtain cervical cancer screening. The following barriers were also important; cost (23.2%), not knowing where to go (24.3%), and belief that everyone would think they were sexually active (24.6%). Encouragingly, few believed that a pap test would be painful (9.4%). While more than 68% perceived that young women were susceptible to cervical cancer, a lower percentage (52.5%) believed that they themselves were at risk for cervical cancer. About three quarters of respondents (73%) believed that cervical cancer was a serious disease that would make a woman's life difficult and about 62% of students also believed that there were effective cures for cervical cancer. In general, a low percentage received screening cues from their social environment by way of knowing peers who had screened or from a healthcare worker's recommendation. Six of the fifteen respondents who had received at least one recommendation from a healthcare worker to get cervical screening, scheduled and obtained one. The subset reporting having received a health care worker recommendation but that reported not having the test, indicated the following reasons; they could not afford it, they did not know where to get screening, they had no time to schedule and obtain screening and they felt it was embarrassing to expose themselves for screening. About a third reported ever having heard a mass media discussion on cervical cancer while a fifth have at least once listened to a discussion on cervical cancer at a church or other social gathering. About half also stated that they would be willing to obtain the cheaper alternative cervical cancer screening using visual inspection and mild acetic acid, if a doctor recommended it. Overall there was good awareness of the issues related to screening, although there were specific gaps in knowledge about risk factors and screening intervals. For instance, it was found that although the relationship

(Anorlu et al., 2004).

between sex and cervical cancer was known, less was known about other risk factors like their partner's prior sexual experiences and very little was known about the link between HPV and cervical cancer.

#### **4.1.5 Poor cervical cancer screening**

Very few women in sub-Saharan Africa are ever screened for cervical cancer. None of the 500 women attending a maternal and child health clinic in a poor area of Lagos in 1999 had ever had a Pap smear .Only 9% of health care workers in two health institutions in Nigeria had ever had a Pap smear. In a study among medical workers in a Ugandan hospital (doctors , nurses and medical students) Only 19% of the female medical workers had ever had a cervical cancer screening test done. The reasons for not having been screened included: not feeling at risk, lack of symptoms, carelessness, fear of vaginal examination, lack of interest, test being unpleasant and not yet being of risky age. Moreover, 25% of the female respondents said that they would only accept a vaginal examination by a female health worker.(Mutyaba et al., 2006) In a similar study among nurses in a Tanzanian hospital concerning nurses' own cervical cancer screening practices most (116/137) of the respondents had never had a Pap smear the most common reason (54.7%) was not knowing where to go for the test, followed by seeing no reason for the test (13.1%), being afraid of the procedure (9.5%) and being afraid of bad results (7.3%).(Urasa & Darj 2009)

Some of the few women who do have access to screening do not get themselves screened because they have wrong beliefs about cervical cancer. (Anorlu et al., 2007). Less than 1% of women in four West African countries had ever been screened (Gichangi et al., 2003). Moreover, there are very few cervical screening services in Africa and many of them are based in secondary and tertiary health care facilities located in urban areas. Only 5% of 504 general practitioners in Lagos Nigeria in 2004 screened their patients (Denny et al 2006). Women who use these services are generally young, and smears are thus being taken from a relatively low-risk group.

Screening in most developing countries like the countries within the sub region is mainly opportunistic, characterized by an estimated low coverage, coexisting with over-screening of women with access to health services, and an absence of quality control procedures. Policies for cervical cancer screening in most countries vary and, most often nonexistent . Formulation and ensuring compliance with national program guidelines is an essential step toward significantly reducing the burden of cervical cancer (Arrosi et al. 2010). This type of service does not reach women most at risk, i.e. older women aged 35–60 years, especially those who live in rural areas. Cytology-based screening, which is used in developed countries, is resource intensive, and difficult to realise in very many countries in sub-Saharan Africa because of poor health care infrastructure and lack of resources. There are very few cytopathologists, cytoscreeners and cytotechnicians; some have inadequate training. Quality control is inadequate. Histopathological services are extremely limited in many countries. Malawi, a country with a cervical cancer incidence rate of 47 per 100,000 women, had one pathologist, one colposcope, no cyto-technicians and no facilities for cervical cancer screening or treatment as at 2001. The situation is not much different presently. The default rate among those with cytological abnormalities reaches 60–80% due to the absence of effective mechanisms for recall of women with abnormal smears.

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 61

patients who believe they have been cured never come back. Others just cannot afford the cost of transportation back to urban centres for follow-up (Ashraf, H. 2003). For patients who present late, radiotherapy becomes the preferred treatment. Unfortunately, only a few receive this treatment due to the paucity of resources and very advanced disease at presentation. Chirenje et al. (2001) found in Harare, Zimbabwe that in 70% of patients, radiotherapy was the most commonly used treatment modality, as many of the cases

Radiotherapy is not available in many places in Sub Sahara Africa. In 1997, radiotherapy was not available in 32 African countries. (Levin et al.,1997). In 2003, 15 countries in Africa did not have a single radiotherapy machine. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, had only five radiotherapy centres as at 2009: four government-owned and one privately owned. WHO recommends 0.4 radiotherapy machines per million of population. Nigeria's five machines to 140 million people translates to ∼0.04 per million, well below WHO's recommendation. In contrast, in the United States, there are 12 machines per million people. (Sepulveda et al., 2003). Besides few machines, those that exist frequently do not function most of the time because the resources for their proper maintenance and repair do not exist. In addition, there is a shortage of trained staff such as radiotherapists and medical

Pain is the most common presenting symptom in many cancer patients in Africa because of late presentation. In a survey of terminally ill patients in five countries in Africa – Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana – the greatest need expressed by the patients was pain relief. (Harding et al., 2005) In another study comparing the concerns of terminally ill patients in a developed country (Scotland) and an African country (Kenya), it was found that the main concern of the Scottish patients was the emotional pain of facing death, while for their counterparts in Kenya it was physical pain and financial worries. Unfortunately, there is inadequate availability of pain-relieving medications, especially opioids. Only 11 out of 47 African countries use morphine for chronic pain and of these 11, the amount

Oral morphine is not available to very many cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Insufficient funds due to low priority accorded to palliative care by governments, regulatory and pricing obstacles, ignorance, and false beliefs are responsible. In some instances, where drugs are available to patients, sustainability of pain relief is hampered by poverty, as many cannot afford the cost of the drugs. Poverty, poor infrastructure, lack of health care workers adequately trained in palliative care and poor priority accorded to palliative care by African governments are all obstacles to effective palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. There are very few hospices to take care of terminally ill patients. However, countries like South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have made some progress in palliative care. Uganda is the first African country to follow the WHO guidelines on palliative care. It has made oral morphine freely available to districts that have specialist palliative care nurses or clinical officers, and has promoted morphine use down to the villages. Laws have also been passed to allow trained nurses, especially those in the rural areas, where there are very few or no doctors, to prescribe morphine. Cancer is believed in certain cultures to be a punishment from the gods, and terminally ill patients often seek help

presented with stage 2B and above.

physicists, as well as essential materials.

consumed is small. (Murray et al 2003) .

**4.1.7 Supportive care** 

The effectiveness of direct visual inspection [visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI)) as a form of population-based screening has been studied across the continent, mainly sponsored by international agencies (Chirenje et al., 2001) VIA is similar to colposcopy in that 4% acetic acid is applied to the cervix and any acetowhite lesion is visualized, although with VIA there is no magnification. It is a simple procedure and in most centres has been carried out by trained nurses. Candidates with suspicious lesions are selected for treatment. Studies have shown the sensitivity of VIA to be the same as that of Pap smear while its specificity is lower than 85% (Urasa & Darj 2011). The specificity is also noted to be even lower among HIV positive patients possibly due to high rates of coinfections in the lower genital tract (Denny et al., 2002). Visual inspection method is however a subjective method and prone to different interpretations by different observers depending on experience and competence. Other screening methods include HPV DNA assay (which has been shown to be even superior to PAP smear test) and colposcopy.

#### **4.1.6 Treatment of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa**

Treatment of cervical cancer is dependent on the stage of the disease, age and medical state of the patient, tumor characteristics, patients' preferences and resources within the health sector of each country. Options can be monotherapy or combined; they range from conisation of the cervix, simple hysterectomy with or without lymphadenectomy, radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy, pelvic exenteration, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, to palliative chemotherapy. Treatment at an early stage has the best prognosis with the highest cure rates (Urasa & Darj 2011)

#### **4.1.6.1 Treatment of pre-invasive cervical cancer**

It may not be too wrong to say that there are apparently more cases of invasive cancer than pre-invasive cancer; this is mainly because there are very few facilities for screening and very poor access to the screening services. Because so few women are ever screened, not many cases of pre-cancerous lesions are diagnosed or detected. Colposcopy is available only in very few centres. Hysterectomy and cone biopsy are the usual treatment modalities for pre-cancerous lesions, as the equipment and expertise for large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), also known as loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP), are scarce.

#### **4.1.6.2 Treatment of invasive cervical cancer**

The treatment of invasive cervical cancer continues to be a major challenge in many sub-Saharan African countries, due to the lack of surgical facilities, skilled providers and radiotherapy services. Management of women with invasive cervical cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach, including: gynaecologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, medical physicists, technicians, nurses and counsellors. These specialists are lacking in many places across the continent, and where they exist they tend to work in isolation rather than in teams.

There are few cases that present in the operable stage of the disease. In Lagos Nigeria, less than 10% of cases are operable at the time of presentation. Some of the few who do present early may not have surgery as there are very few certified gynaecologists who perform radical gynaecological cancer surgery. Follow-up after surgery is often very poor as some

The effectiveness of direct visual inspection [visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI)) as a form of population-based screening has been studied across the continent, mainly sponsored by international agencies (Chirenje et al., 2001) VIA is similar to colposcopy in that 4% acetic acid is applied to the cervix and any acetowhite lesion is visualized, although with VIA there is no magnification. It is a simple procedure and in most centres has been carried out by trained nurses. Candidates with suspicious lesions are selected for treatment. Studies have shown the sensitivity of VIA to be the same as that of Pap smear while its specificity is lower than 85% (Urasa & Darj 2011). The specificity is also noted to be even lower among HIV positive patients possibly due to high rates of coinfections in the lower genital tract (Denny et al., 2002). Visual inspection method is however a subjective method and prone to different interpretations by different observers depending on experience and competence. Other screening methods include HPV DNA assay (which has been shown to be even superior to PAP smear test) and colposcopy.

Treatment of cervical cancer is dependent on the stage of the disease, age and medical state of the patient, tumor characteristics, patients' preferences and resources within the health sector of each country. Options can be monotherapy or combined; they range from conisation of the cervix, simple hysterectomy with or without lymphadenectomy, radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy, pelvic exenteration, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, to palliative chemotherapy. Treatment at an early stage has the best prognosis

It may not be too wrong to say that there are apparently more cases of invasive cancer than pre-invasive cancer; this is mainly because there are very few facilities for screening and very poor access to the screening services. Because so few women are ever screened, not many cases of pre-cancerous lesions are diagnosed or detected. Colposcopy is available only in very few centres. Hysterectomy and cone biopsy are the usual treatment modalities for pre-cancerous lesions, as the equipment and expertise for large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), also known as loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP), are

The treatment of invasive cervical cancer continues to be a major challenge in many sub-Saharan African countries, due to the lack of surgical facilities, skilled providers and radiotherapy services. Management of women with invasive cervical cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach, including: gynaecologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, medical physicists, technicians, nurses and counsellors. These specialists are lacking in many places across the continent, and where they exist they tend to

There are few cases that present in the operable stage of the disease. In Lagos Nigeria, less than 10% of cases are operable at the time of presentation. Some of the few who do present early may not have surgery as there are very few certified gynaecologists who perform radical gynaecological cancer surgery. Follow-up after surgery is often very poor as some

**4.1.6 Treatment of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa** 

with the highest cure rates (Urasa & Darj 2011) **4.1.6.1 Treatment of pre-invasive cervical cancer** 

**4.1.6.2 Treatment of invasive cervical cancer** 

work in isolation rather than in teams.

scarce.

patients who believe they have been cured never come back. Others just cannot afford the cost of transportation back to urban centres for follow-up (Ashraf, H. 2003). For patients who present late, radiotherapy becomes the preferred treatment. Unfortunately, only a few receive this treatment due to the paucity of resources and very advanced disease at presentation. Chirenje et al. (2001) found in Harare, Zimbabwe that in 70% of patients, radiotherapy was the most commonly used treatment modality, as many of the cases presented with stage 2B and above.

Radiotherapy is not available in many places in Sub Sahara Africa. In 1997, radiotherapy was not available in 32 African countries. (Levin et al.,1997). In 2003, 15 countries in Africa did not have a single radiotherapy machine. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, had only five radiotherapy centres as at 2009: four government-owned and one privately owned. WHO recommends 0.4 radiotherapy machines per million of population. Nigeria's five machines to 140 million people translates to ∼0.04 per million, well below WHO's recommendation. In contrast, in the United States, there are 12 machines per million people. (Sepulveda et al., 2003). Besides few machines, those that exist frequently do not function most of the time because the resources for their proper maintenance and repair do not exist. In addition, there is a shortage of trained staff such as radiotherapists and medical physicists, as well as essential materials.

#### **4.1.7 Supportive care**

Pain is the most common presenting symptom in many cancer patients in Africa because of late presentation. In a survey of terminally ill patients in five countries in Africa – Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana – the greatest need expressed by the patients was pain relief. (Harding et al., 2005) In another study comparing the concerns of terminally ill patients in a developed country (Scotland) and an African country (Kenya), it was found that the main concern of the Scottish patients was the emotional pain of facing death, while for their counterparts in Kenya it was physical pain and financial worries. Unfortunately, there is inadequate availability of pain-relieving medications, especially opioids. Only 11 out of 47 African countries use morphine for chronic pain and of these 11, the amount consumed is small. (Murray et al 2003) .

Oral morphine is not available to very many cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Insufficient funds due to low priority accorded to palliative care by governments, regulatory and pricing obstacles, ignorance, and false beliefs are responsible. In some instances, where drugs are available to patients, sustainability of pain relief is hampered by poverty, as many cannot afford the cost of the drugs. Poverty, poor infrastructure, lack of health care workers adequately trained in palliative care and poor priority accorded to palliative care by African governments are all obstacles to effective palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. There are very few hospices to take care of terminally ill patients. However, countries like South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have made some progress in palliative care. Uganda is the first African country to follow the WHO guidelines on palliative care. It has made oral morphine freely available to districts that have specialist palliative care nurses or clinical officers, and has promoted morphine use down to the villages. Laws have also been passed to allow trained nurses, especially those in the rural areas, where there are very few or no doctors, to prescribe morphine. Cancer is believed in certain cultures to be a punishment from the gods, and terminally ill patients often seek help

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 63

curricula of nurses and medical students need to be revised to include more practical cervical cancer screening skills. There is need to change attitudes that screening is only for gynaecologists. For opportunistic screening to work, health workers in other departments need to be sensitised on the gravity of cervical cancer and to remember to refer all eligible women who come into their care for screening (Mutyaba 2006). Nurses in high income countries play a role in cancer prevention and participate in cervical cancer screening by carrying out Pap smear tests . Due to the lack of logistics and scarcity of gynecologists and pathologists in Sub Sahara Africa ,nurses could be used effectively in the prevention of cervical cancer, by being enabled to collect Pap smear tests specimen and using the visual inspection by acetic acid technique which is less costly and does not require high expertise

Facilitation of screening activities through the provision of more PAP smear facilities while the evaluation and adoption of non cytological based screening methods such as use of VIA and Lugols iodine and HPV DNA testing and ensuring wider coverage of screening activities is desirable. In developed area with low mortality rates from cervical cancer , it has long been established that organized screening programs has great impact on the reduction of cervical cancer mortality. Time trends in mortality from cervical cancer in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden since the early 1950s were investigated in relation to the extent and intensity of organised screening programmes in these countries. In all five countries the cumulative mortality rates (0-74 years) fell between 1965 and 1982. In Iceland, where the nationwide programme has the widest target age range, the fall in mortality was greatest (80%). Finland and Sweden have nationwide programmes also; the mortality fell by 50% and 34%, respectively. In Denmark, where about 40% of the population are covered by organised programmes, the overall mortality fell by 25%, but in Norway, with only 5% of the population covered by organised screening, the mortality fell by only 10%. The results support the conclusion that organised screening programmes have had a major impact on the reduction in mortality from cervical cancer in the Nordic countries.(Laara E et al., 1987) It has been established that cytologic screening programs that detect and treat precancerous lesions decrease mortality from cervical cancer in countries that have been able to achieve broad screening coverage at frequent intervals. However, in the majority of low-income countries like Sub Sahara Africa, cytologic screening has proven difficult to sustain, in large part because of its reliance on highly trained cytotechnologists, high-quality laboratories, and an infrastructure to support up to 3 visits for screening, colposcopic evaluation of

Several factors have led to an expansion of the options for cervical cancer control. First, the availability of reliable HPV DNA assays has led to numerous studies documenting its higher sensitivity for detecting precancerous lesions compared with a single cytology test. Second, recent studies suggest that alternate screening strategies that use HPV DNA testing or simple visual screening methods may be more practical in some areas of the world like Sub Sahara Africa. Third, regardless of initial screening test (e.g., cervical cytology, HPV DNA testing, simple visual screening), strategies that enhance the linkage between screening and treatment, and seek to minimize loss to follow-up, have the best chance of measurable success. Additionally, economic evaluations of these alternatives have concluded that they are promising (Goldhaber-Fierbat & Goldie 2006). It has been suggested that the most efficient and cost-effective screening techniques in low-resource countries include visual

(Urasa & Darj 2011).

abnormalities, and treatment.

from traditional healers and spiritual leaders. A good model for palliative care in Africa should therefore integrate the culture, beliefs and traditions of the people. Some countries are making efforts in this direction by incorporating traditional healers into mainstream medicine. However, a feasible, accessible, and effective palliative care is yet to be developed in sub-Saharan Africa. (Merriman & Kaur 2005).

#### **4.2 Improvements in outlook**

There is need to improve the outlook of this condition in Sub Sahara Africa. There should be improvement in attitude towards education needs of the populace so as to create and improve awareness and knowledge about the disease. Disease prevention requires social change, which in turn requires the participation of those for whom the change is intended, including demographic groups at high risk for disease, appropriate governmental authorities, and essential medical personnel. Both locally and globally, socio-political problems associated with sustaining working coalitions from groups with shared interests but competing incentives constitute critically important real-world obstacles to successful cervical cancer prevention and will remain so irrespective of the screening method(s) eventually used. In settings where health systems cannot afford to ignore such incentives, laboratory data constitute an essential yet sometimes overlooked fulcrum against which to leverage the social change required to preserve life (Suba et al., 2006)

There is need for sensitisation of health workers about cervical cancer and importance of screening. Based on studies carried out in countries where organized screening is available, it is known that screening uptake can be influenced by cultural beliefs, the social position of women, characteristics of the health care system, the physician's attitudes towards screening and women's comprehension of the screening process. Embarrassments about undergoing a gynecological examination, fear of the procedure or belief that little can be done to prevent cancer are other factors that might decrease screening participation. Lower socio-economic background, lack of health insurance and low literacy also compromise participation in screening. Attending cervical cancer screening may have a negative connotation or stigma when it is combined with a gynecological examination and treatment for reproductive tract infections. The gender of health care professionals and limited time that they allocate to patient education may negatively influence screening participation as well. Other influences that may influence participation in screening in particular in low resource countries are gender imbalances and whether illness is perceived as traditional or modern. Adequate knowledge about cervical cancer influences early detection and treatment seeking pattern (Mutyaba et al., 2007). In Botswana a national cervical cytology screening committee was formed in 1996 with a role in planning and advising the government. Just six years later a national guidance document for the national cervical cytology programme was drawn up and implemented. In this short space of time public awareness has been successfully raised resulting in an increased uptake of Pap smears from 5000 per year before the start of the programme to an impressive 32,000 per year in 2009. Despite considerable success, progress is hampered by inadequate resources, the high prevalence of HIV in the country and the long waiting list for treatment.

There is now a need to build upon the scope of cervical cancer prevention. This problem is not limited to Botswana as many African countries have similarly inadequate resources to treat patients even when abnormal cervical cytology is detected (sSACCWG 2010). Training

from traditional healers and spiritual leaders. A good model for palliative care in Africa should therefore integrate the culture, beliefs and traditions of the people. Some countries are making efforts in this direction by incorporating traditional healers into mainstream medicine. However, a feasible, accessible, and effective palliative care is yet to be developed

There is need to improve the outlook of this condition in Sub Sahara Africa. There should be improvement in attitude towards education needs of the populace so as to create and improve awareness and knowledge about the disease. Disease prevention requires social change, which in turn requires the participation of those for whom the change is intended, including demographic groups at high risk for disease, appropriate governmental authorities, and essential medical personnel. Both locally and globally, socio-political problems associated with sustaining working coalitions from groups with shared interests but competing incentives constitute critically important real-world obstacles to successful cervical cancer prevention and will remain so irrespective of the screening method(s) eventually used. In settings where health systems cannot afford to ignore such incentives, laboratory data constitute an essential yet sometimes overlooked fulcrum against which to

There is need for sensitisation of health workers about cervical cancer and importance of screening. Based on studies carried out in countries where organized screening is available, it is known that screening uptake can be influenced by cultural beliefs, the social position of women, characteristics of the health care system, the physician's attitudes towards screening and women's comprehension of the screening process. Embarrassments about undergoing a gynecological examination, fear of the procedure or belief that little can be done to prevent cancer are other factors that might decrease screening participation. Lower socio-economic background, lack of health insurance and low literacy also compromise participation in screening. Attending cervical cancer screening may have a negative connotation or stigma when it is combined with a gynecological examination and treatment for reproductive tract infections. The gender of health care professionals and limited time that they allocate to patient education may negatively influence screening participation as well. Other influences that may influence participation in screening in particular in low resource countries are gender imbalances and whether illness is perceived as traditional or modern. Adequate knowledge about cervical cancer influences early detection and treatment seeking pattern (Mutyaba et al., 2007). In Botswana a national cervical cytology screening committee was formed in 1996 with a role in planning and advising the government. Just six years later a national guidance document for the national cervical cytology programme was drawn up and implemented. In this short space of time public awareness has been successfully raised resulting in an increased uptake of Pap smears from 5000 per year before the start of the programme to an impressive 32,000 per year in 2009. Despite considerable success, progress is hampered by inadequate resources, the high prevalence of HIV in the country and the

There is now a need to build upon the scope of cervical cancer prevention. This problem is not limited to Botswana as many African countries have similarly inadequate resources to treat patients even when abnormal cervical cytology is detected (sSACCWG 2010). Training

leverage the social change required to preserve life (Suba et al., 2006)

in sub-Saharan Africa. (Merriman & Kaur 2005).

**4.2 Improvements in outlook** 

long waiting list for treatment.

curricula of nurses and medical students need to be revised to include more practical cervical cancer screening skills. There is need to change attitudes that screening is only for gynaecologists. For opportunistic screening to work, health workers in other departments need to be sensitised on the gravity of cervical cancer and to remember to refer all eligible women who come into their care for screening (Mutyaba 2006). Nurses in high income countries play a role in cancer prevention and participate in cervical cancer screening by carrying out Pap smear tests . Due to the lack of logistics and scarcity of gynecologists and pathologists in Sub Sahara Africa ,nurses could be used effectively in the prevention of cervical cancer, by being enabled to collect Pap smear tests specimen and using the visual inspection by acetic acid technique which is less costly and does not require high expertise (Urasa & Darj 2011).

Facilitation of screening activities through the provision of more PAP smear facilities while the evaluation and adoption of non cytological based screening methods such as use of VIA and Lugols iodine and HPV DNA testing and ensuring wider coverage of screening activities is desirable. In developed area with low mortality rates from cervical cancer , it has long been established that organized screening programs has great impact on the reduction of cervical cancer mortality. Time trends in mortality from cervical cancer in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden since the early 1950s were investigated in relation to the extent and intensity of organised screening programmes in these countries. In all five countries the cumulative mortality rates (0-74 years) fell between 1965 and 1982. In Iceland, where the nationwide programme has the widest target age range, the fall in mortality was greatest (80%). Finland and Sweden have nationwide programmes also; the mortality fell by 50% and 34%, respectively. In Denmark, where about 40% of the population are covered by organised programmes, the overall mortality fell by 25%, but in Norway, with only 5% of the population covered by organised screening, the mortality fell by only 10%. The results support the conclusion that organised screening programmes have had a major impact on the reduction in mortality from cervical cancer in the Nordic countries.(Laara E et al., 1987)

It has been established that cytologic screening programs that detect and treat precancerous lesions decrease mortality from cervical cancer in countries that have been able to achieve broad screening coverage at frequent intervals. However, in the majority of low-income countries like Sub Sahara Africa, cytologic screening has proven difficult to sustain, in large part because of its reliance on highly trained cytotechnologists, high-quality laboratories, and an infrastructure to support up to 3 visits for screening, colposcopic evaluation of abnormalities, and treatment.

Several factors have led to an expansion of the options for cervical cancer control. First, the availability of reliable HPV DNA assays has led to numerous studies documenting its higher sensitivity for detecting precancerous lesions compared with a single cytology test. Second, recent studies suggest that alternate screening strategies that use HPV DNA testing or simple visual screening methods may be more practical in some areas of the world like Sub Sahara Africa. Third, regardless of initial screening test (e.g., cervical cytology, HPV DNA testing, simple visual screening), strategies that enhance the linkage between screening and treatment, and seek to minimize loss to follow-up, have the best chance of measurable success. Additionally, economic evaluations of these alternatives have concluded that they are promising (Goldhaber-Fierbat & Goldie 2006). It has been suggested that the most efficient and cost-effective screening techniques in low-resource countries include visual

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 65

(Table 3). However, implementation plans are lagging and will depend largely on the affordability of the vaccines, and a clear cost benefit ratio. However, affordable pricing is the most critical factor to facilitate the introduction of HPV vaccines in low- and mediumresource countries like Sub Sahara Africa in the short term. It is also extremely important that women continue to receive screening services because the current vaccines are being given to adolescent girls only, and even vaccinated girls should begin screening when they

> Bivalent HPV 16/18 Vaccine (Cervarix ®, GSK)

Quadrivalent HPV 6/11/16/18 Vaccine (Gardasil ® Merck, SA)

Botswana Congo

Cameroon Gabon

Central African Republic Ghana

Chad Kenya

Gabon

Kenya

Malawi

Mauritania

Mauritius

Togo

Uganda

South Africa

Congo Namibia

Cote d'Ivoire Nigeria

Democratic Republic of Congo Senegal

Ethiopia Uganda

Information centre, 2009 cited in Louie et al., 2009)

Equatorial Guinea South Africa

Table 3. HPV Vaccines licensure in Sub Sahara Africa as of March 2009 ( Source: HPV

Burkina Faso Cote d'Voire

inspection using either acetic acid or Lugol's iodine and DNA testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical cell samples (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2009 cited in Jemal A. et al., 2011) A recent clinical trial in rural India, a low-resource area, found that a single round of HPV DNA testing was associated with about a 50% reduction in the risk of developing advanced cervical cancer and associated deaths. The limitations of HPV DNA testing include the cost (i.e. US\$20–30 per test), infrastructure, and time needed to obtain a result . However CareHPV (Qiagen Gaithersburg Inc., MD, USA) has been developed as a simple, rapid and operational HPV test for low-resource settings that can produce results within 3 h. The compact, portable and battery-operated technology has stable conditions, and the test can be conducted by workers with minimal training. Data from China showed that, compared to VIA, CareHPV has a higher sensitivity (90% vs. 41%) and a reasonably comparable specificity (84% vs. 94%) to detect high-grade lesions. Moreover, a modelling analysis found that CareHPV has the potential to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by 56% in China if given just three times over a woman's lifetime and effective treatment is available, suggesting its potential impact in reducing the burden of invasive cervical cancer in comparable settings. Regulatory approval is anticipated in developing countries in the near future, and CareHPV test if provided at a low cost, represents a promising alternative screening test, however, its performance and diagnostic value to detect pre-cancerous lesions need to be evaluated in African settings (Louie et al., 2009).

Widespread adoption of HPV vaccination to the recommended target population will reduce the disease incidence in the future. The vaccine is however seen to demobilize efforts towards setting up and improving screening services in places with poor screening coverage. The high cost of the vaccines is a constraint on low resource countries that have high incidence of the disease. It has been submitted that the vaccines if given to girls before onset of sexual activity, have the potential to dramatically reduce the incidence of HPV infection and therefore cervical cancer. Mclntyre, P. ( 2011) however also reported that one problem is that it is unlikely that the benefits will start to be felt in 15-20 years, and the full population impact will take 50 years or more to be felt. He is of the view that implementing an HPV Vaccination program is no substitute for organizing an effective screening system. The vaccine is of little value to the population of women who have already become sexually active as it cannot eradicate the virus if already present or retard the growth of incipient cancer. The report also noted that despite impressive results in clinical trials, they have not yet proven themselves in country programs. An example was the program in Romania where free vaccine was provided to girls 11 years old and a school – based campaign program of vaccination was started. It was reported that the take up rate was as low as 4%. Some parents prevented their daughters from getting vaccinated raising public health aspect issues towards high coverage and acceptance. The vaccine is therefore seen by some as a possible distraction from the main challenge as "the vaccine is not an alternative to cytology. We cannot fight cancer without regular cytology examination and that must be clearly stated" ( Chil, A., quoted in Mclntyre 2011) . The expectations that vaccines which primarily protect against the most common strains of HPV infections (HPV types 16 and 18), which cause about 70% of cervical cancers, may prevent cervical cancer worldwide are at present high. The vaccines have shown high safety, efficacy and immunogenicity for both the quadrivalent HPV 16 18 6 11 vaccine (Gardasil\_, Merck & Co., Inc.) and the bivalent HPV 16 18 vaccine (Cervarix\_, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) (Schiller et al. 2008 cited in Louie Et al., 2009). A number of countries in sub-SaharanAfrica have licensed the HPV vaccines

inspection using either acetic acid or Lugol's iodine and DNA testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical cell samples (Sankaranarayanan et al., 2009 cited in Jemal A. et al., 2011) A recent clinical trial in rural India, a low-resource area, found that a single round of HPV DNA testing was associated with about a 50% reduction in the risk of developing advanced cervical cancer and associated deaths. The limitations of HPV DNA testing include the cost (i.e. US\$20–30 per test), infrastructure, and time needed to obtain a result . However CareHPV (Qiagen Gaithersburg Inc., MD, USA) has been developed as a simple, rapid and operational HPV test for low-resource settings that can produce results within 3 h. The compact, portable and battery-operated technology has stable conditions, and the test can be conducted by workers with minimal training. Data from China showed that, compared to VIA, CareHPV has a higher sensitivity (90% vs. 41%) and a reasonably comparable specificity (84% vs. 94%) to detect high-grade lesions. Moreover, a modelling analysis found that CareHPV has the potential to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by 56% in China if given just three times over a woman's lifetime and effective treatment is available, suggesting its potential impact in reducing the burden of invasive cervical cancer in comparable settings. Regulatory approval is anticipated in developing countries in the near future, and CareHPV test if provided at a low cost, represents a promising alternative screening test, however, its performance and diagnostic value to detect pre-cancerous lesions

Widespread adoption of HPV vaccination to the recommended target population will reduce the disease incidence in the future. The vaccine is however seen to demobilize efforts towards setting up and improving screening services in places with poor screening coverage. The high cost of the vaccines is a constraint on low resource countries that have high incidence of the disease. It has been submitted that the vaccines if given to girls before onset of sexual activity, have the potential to dramatically reduce the incidence of HPV infection and therefore cervical cancer. Mclntyre, P. ( 2011) however also reported that one problem is that it is unlikely that the benefits will start to be felt in 15-20 years, and the full population impact will take 50 years or more to be felt. He is of the view that implementing an HPV Vaccination program is no substitute for organizing an effective screening system. The vaccine is of little value to the population of women who have already become sexually active as it cannot eradicate the virus if already present or retard the growth of incipient cancer. The report also noted that despite impressive results in clinical trials, they have not yet proven themselves in country programs. An example was the program in Romania where free vaccine was provided to girls 11 years old and a school – based campaign program of vaccination was started. It was reported that the take up rate was as low as 4%. Some parents prevented their daughters from getting vaccinated raising public health aspect issues towards high coverage and acceptance. The vaccine is therefore seen by some as a possible distraction from the main challenge as "the vaccine is not an alternative to cytology. We cannot fight cancer without regular cytology examination and that must be clearly stated" ( Chil, A., quoted in Mclntyre 2011) . The expectations that vaccines which primarily protect against the most common strains of HPV infections (HPV types 16 and 18), which cause about 70% of cervical cancers, may prevent cervical cancer worldwide are at present high. The vaccines have shown high safety, efficacy and immunogenicity for both the quadrivalent HPV 16 18 6 11 vaccine (Gardasil\_, Merck & Co., Inc.) and the bivalent HPV 16 18 vaccine (Cervarix\_, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) (Schiller et al. 2008 cited in Louie Et al., 2009). A number of countries in sub-SaharanAfrica have licensed the HPV vaccines

need to be evaluated in African settings (Louie et al., 2009).

(Table 3). However, implementation plans are lagging and will depend largely on the affordability of the vaccines, and a clear cost benefit ratio. However, affordable pricing is the most critical factor to facilitate the introduction of HPV vaccines in low- and mediumresource countries like Sub Sahara Africa in the short term. It is also extremely important that women continue to receive screening services because the current vaccines are being given to adolescent girls only, and even vaccinated girls should begin screening when they


Table 3. HPV Vaccines licensure in Sub Sahara Africa as of March 2009 ( Source: HPV Information centre, 2009 cited in Louie et al., 2009)

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 67

Prevention and early diagnosis through vaccination and screening requires effective mobilization of the target groups and this has been a problem in developing countries like the countries of Sub Sahara Africa. An approach to improve this has been formulated by Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) as follows. Since cultural and emotional barriers and practical needs are among the main reasons why women choose not to be screened, addressing these barriers and needs will help increase women's awareness and willingness to seek services. Screening, treatment, and follow-up services need to address

Community involvement is essential for: Using a community-based education approach as a way of building a discourse with women and promoting women's participation will help reduce fear and misunderstanding about cervical cancer screening and treatment and strengthen prevention knowledge and practices. Making women's experiences with services more positive ensures greater follow-up rates and increases the likelihood that women will share information about their good experience with peers. Reducing their fear of screening and treatment Strengthening women's understanding of prevention. Efforts in creating effective messages to improve women's awareness is needed. Messages should be targeted to reach women at highest risk of cervical cancer (generally aged 30 -50 years). Women should be involved in creating prevention messages and programs. Recognized barriers to women's participation in screening include: little understanding of cervical cancer, limited understanding of female reproductive organs and associated diseases , lack of access to services, shame and fear of a vaginal exam, fear of death from cancer, lack of trust in health care system, lack of community and family support. Common misconceptions about cervical cancer include the fact that people often do not know that it is preventable and the belief that screening involves Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)/HIV screening including the belief that a positive/abnormal Pap smear result means a woman will die. In South Africa and Kenya, women often think a positive screening test means they have HIV infection

While in Mexico, women fear that treatment will leave them sexually disabled.

to eliminate abnormal cells before they become cancerous

Direct personal contact can facilitate screening exercises. This can be done through community meetings, posters, pamphlet newspaper advertisements or articles and radio or television messages. Key sources of information include peers who have received messages or been screened, leaders or members of women's groups, midwives and traditional healers ,community health promoters, community leaders ,nurses, nurse practitioners, or doctors. The target groups have to be located. Places to reach women are local women's groups community centres, women's workplaces, places of worship ,health facilities, women's homes, schools (parent's groups) and markets and key cervical cancer prevention messages should include the facts that good health practices can help prevent cancer, cervical cancer develops slowly and is preventable, screening can detect treatable, precancerous lesions before they progress to cancer, women aged 30 and older are more likely to develop cervical cancer than younger women, women in their 30s and 40s should be screened and that the screening procedure is relatively simple, quick, and is not painful. A small number of women who need treatment after screening can receive a simple procedure to remove the lesion. Screening test that is positive is not a death sentence but it provides the opportunity

Helping women discuss cervical cancer can bring the message home. This can be done through community health or outreach workers who can facilitate communication at the

women's cultural, emotional, and practical needs and concerns.


Table 4. Type – specific HPV prevalence among invasive cervical cancer cases in Africa by histology.( Source: WHO/IDC HPV information centre).

reach the recommended screening age since the vaccines do not provide protection for the 30% of chronic infections by HPV types other than HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11 that cause cervical cancer as shown in table 4 and that even in the recommended strains, protection is not 100% (Sankaranarayanan , 2009a, 2009b).

HPV Prevalence

6 0.4 0.2 0.0 1.4

11 0.5 0.3 0.0 1.1

16 51.6 53.4 36.5 49.4

18 18.1 15.1 29.4 24.8

31 2.5 2.8 0.0 2.3

33 6.2 6.4 5.3 5.9

35 4.1 2.5 1.5 8.4

39 1.1 1.5 0.0 0.3

45 9.1 8.3 8.2 11.3

51 3.1 1.4 1.5 8.5

52 3.4 1.9 0.0 8.7

56 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.5

58 1.3 1.1 0.0 2.4

59 0.7 0.6 1.5 0.7

66 0.6 0.6 0.0 0.8

68 1.1 1.1 0.0 1.4

70 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

73 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.0

82 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

reach the recommended screening age since the vaccines do not provide protection for the 30% of chronic infections by HPV types other than HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11 that cause cervical cancer as shown in table 4 and that even in the recommended strains, protection is not 100%

Table 4. Type – specific HPV prevalence among invasive cervical cancer cases in Africa by

histology.( Source: WHO/IDC HPV information centre).

(Sankaranarayanan , 2009a, 2009b).

carcinoma Adenocarcinoma unspecified

HPV type Any histology squamous cell

Prevention and early diagnosis through vaccination and screening requires effective mobilization of the target groups and this has been a problem in developing countries like the countries of Sub Sahara Africa. An approach to improve this has been formulated by Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) as follows. Since cultural and emotional barriers and practical needs are among the main reasons why women choose not to be screened, addressing these barriers and needs will help increase women's awareness and willingness to seek services. Screening, treatment, and follow-up services need to address women's cultural, emotional, and practical needs and concerns.

Community involvement is essential for: Using a community-based education approach as a way of building a discourse with women and promoting women's participation will help reduce fear and misunderstanding about cervical cancer screening and treatment and strengthen prevention knowledge and practices. Making women's experiences with services more positive ensures greater follow-up rates and increases the likelihood that women will share information about their good experience with peers. Reducing their fear of screening and treatment Strengthening women's understanding of prevention. Efforts in creating effective messages to improve women's awareness is needed. Messages should be targeted to reach women at highest risk of cervical cancer (generally aged 30 -50 years). Women should be involved in creating prevention messages and programs. Recognized barriers to women's participation in screening include: little understanding of cervical cancer, limited understanding of female reproductive organs and associated diseases , lack of access to services, shame and fear of a vaginal exam, fear of death from cancer, lack of trust in health care system, lack of community and family support. Common misconceptions about cervical cancer include the fact that people often do not know that it is preventable and the belief that screening involves Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)/HIV screening including the belief that a positive/abnormal Pap smear result means a woman will die. In South Africa and Kenya, women often think a positive screening test means they have HIV infection While in Mexico, women fear that treatment will leave them sexually disabled.

Direct personal contact can facilitate screening exercises. This can be done through community meetings, posters, pamphlet newspaper advertisements or articles and radio or television messages. Key sources of information include peers who have received messages or been screened, leaders or members of women's groups, midwives and traditional healers ,community health promoters, community leaders ,nurses, nurse practitioners, or doctors. The target groups have to be located. Places to reach women are local women's groups community centres, women's workplaces, places of worship ,health facilities, women's homes, schools (parent's groups) and markets and key cervical cancer prevention messages should include the facts that good health practices can help prevent cancer, cervical cancer develops slowly and is preventable, screening can detect treatable, precancerous lesions before they progress to cancer, women aged 30 and older are more likely to develop cervical cancer than younger women, women in their 30s and 40s should be screened and that the screening procedure is relatively simple, quick, and is not painful. A small number of women who need treatment after screening can receive a simple procedure to remove the lesion. Screening test that is positive is not a death sentence but it provides the opportunity to eliminate abnormal cells before they become cancerous

Helping women discuss cervical cancer can bring the message home. This can be done through community health or outreach workers who can facilitate communication at the

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 69

The HIV epidemic in the sub region has further increased the problem of cervical cancer as those so infected have rapid progression of the disease and usually have poorer outcome. Efforts to improve the control of the infection will also lead to the reduction in the mortality

The following were the submissions of Oxford University's Africa – Oxford Cancer Consortium (AFROX) meeting towards prevention of cervical cancer in Africa at St Catherin's College Oxford in March 2009. The meeting was chaired by Professor David Kerr of Oxford University and Professor Fiander Alison of The University of Cardiff. The following were the suggested prerequisite towards setting up effective screening programs

To set up a cervical screening programme, it is vital to address the associated infrastructure, funding and training needs. The delegates at this workshop recommended that it would be

 Building up political will and support for national funding support towards cervical cancer screening would be required. The First Ladies of Africa could have an important role in leading this. In Nigeria, the Governors' wives have been keen supporters of cervical cancer screening. Community advocates and the media would also need to be mobilised. These groups would also have a key role in raising public awareness about

 Records and documentation of those being screened should be kept so we can tell how often or if they go for screening. This would also help to monitor whether it was simply the same people getting screened, or if the programme was succeeding in reaching new

If possible, screening should be integrated into existing programmes, such as

 Training of health professionals to take smear tests and/or HPV tests would be necessary. Training of pathologists to read smear tests would also be critical.

The participants of this workshop discussed how to evaluate and measure the cost effectiveness and success of cervical screening programmes. They identified the following

the causes of cervical cancer and why treatment would be important.

programmes for breast cancer screening, sexual health programmes, etc

 Screening to be free at point of service and ideally as close to the people as possible. The health systems for African countries differ, and so a unique approach would be required for each country. However, each African Government should be lobbied to set aside a certain amount of money per year to carry out cervical screening. It would be important to have this recognised by a separate sub‐section of the national budget. Finding sustainable funding for screening programmes is important – one way to achieve this could be for donors to insist that they would only fund a cervical cancer screening programme if the government agreed to provide funding support for the

programme to continue after set‐up funding ended.

**4.2.2 Evaluation & cost effectiveness of cervical screening** 

areas as being critical for consideration:

**4.2.1 Pre-requisites for cervical screening: Infrastructure, funding, training** 

of cervical cancer.

in the sub region.

important for:

women.

community level. Counselling by health care providers can both inform women and help them talk to their families. Women who receive treatment for precancerous lesions and who must abstain from sexual intercourse for several weeks especially need good counselling

To ensure women's positive experiences with screening, there is need to build and maintain positive provider-client relationships. This is needed because women are more likely to participate when they are treated well, health care providers are sensitive, responsive and respectful. Health care providers should develop a respectful rapport with clients. Women with positive experiences will become advocates when talking to other women.

Important counselling tips include listening and encouraging women to express their concerns being sensitive to cultural and religious considerations expressing support through non-verbal communication, such as nodding, keeping messages simple and answering questions directly, calmly, and in a reassuring manner and providing adequate information to remind them of the instructions. Services should be made accessible and appropriate through review of internal policies and procedures to ensure that programs are accessible and friendly to women. Having female health care providers in settings where women are uncomfortable with male health care providers, if possible can help. Ensuring affordability of the services and having settings that will ensure confidentiality and privacy including easy access to the women are essential. Local languages should be incorporated into the counselling medium. This can be done through involving women helps who can also assist in developing, implementing and evaluating programs and messages. Advisory team of women and other key community leaders can be consulted in order to deliver a package that will meet women's cultural, emotional and practical needs. This is aimed at increasing women's awareness of and willingness to seek services and improve women's experience with cervical cancer prevention services in addition to increasing program participation among women at risk.

High parity is associated with increased incidence of HPV infection leading to increased cases of cervical cancer. Most women in the region have high number of children resulting in worsening poverty and predisposition to the disease. Education on the need for reduced family size through the adoption of effective family planning methods can help in improving the general living condition of the people. This will eventually lead to sizeable population that can be easily reached with cervical cancer control programs.

Onset of sexual activities among teenage girls in the sub region from the age of 15years is high . This predisposes such girls to high risk of cervical cancer. The promotion of use of condom early through sex education programs in early school days can also help in reducing the transmission of HPV in the sub region. Closely linked to this is the issue of circumcision which should be encouraged among those with low level of practice.

Adoption of radiotherapy facilities based on less sophisticated technology like the Cobalt 60 based teletherapy and brachytherapy equipments that give acceptable good treatment outcome can help in the treatment of those already diagnosed with the disease. At The University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria, cobalt 60 brachytherapy source is used for high dose brachytherapy services with satisfactory outcome. This has served the purpose and is quite economical as the source is changed every 5 years instead of every 4 months as the case with the more popular iridium 190 source.

community level. Counselling by health care providers can both inform women and help them talk to their families. Women who receive treatment for precancerous lesions and who must abstain from sexual intercourse for several weeks especially need good

To ensure women's positive experiences with screening, there is need to build and maintain positive provider-client relationships. This is needed because women are more likely to participate when they are treated well, health care providers are sensitive, responsive and respectful. Health care providers should develop a respectful rapport with clients. Women

Important counselling tips include listening and encouraging women to express their concerns being sensitive to cultural and religious considerations expressing support through non-verbal communication, such as nodding, keeping messages simple and answering questions directly, calmly, and in a reassuring manner and providing adequate information to remind them of the instructions. Services should be made accessible and appropriate through review of internal policies and procedures to ensure that programs are accessible and friendly to women. Having female health care providers in settings where women are uncomfortable with male health care providers, if possible can help. Ensuring affordability of the services and having settings that will ensure confidentiality and privacy including easy access to the women are essential. Local languages should be incorporated into the counselling medium. This can be done through involving women helps who can also assist in developing, implementing and evaluating programs and messages. Advisory team of women and other key community leaders can be consulted in order to deliver a package that will meet women's cultural, emotional and practical needs. This is aimed at increasing women's awareness of and willingness to seek services and improve women's experience with cervical cancer prevention services in addition to increasing program participation

High parity is associated with increased incidence of HPV infection leading to increased cases of cervical cancer. Most women in the region have high number of children resulting in worsening poverty and predisposition to the disease. Education on the need for reduced family size through the adoption of effective family planning methods can help in improving the general living condition of the people. This will eventually lead to sizeable

Onset of sexual activities among teenage girls in the sub region from the age of 15years is high . This predisposes such girls to high risk of cervical cancer. The promotion of use of condom early through sex education programs in early school days can also help in reducing the transmission of HPV in the sub region. Closely linked to this is the issue of

Adoption of radiotherapy facilities based on less sophisticated technology like the Cobalt 60 based teletherapy and brachytherapy equipments that give acceptable good treatment outcome can help in the treatment of those already diagnosed with the disease. At The University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria, cobalt 60 brachytherapy source is used for high dose brachytherapy services with satisfactory outcome. This has served the purpose and is quite economical as the source is changed every 5 years instead of every 4 months as the

population that can be easily reached with cervical cancer control programs.

circumcision which should be encouraged among those with low level of practice.

case with the more popular iridium 190 source.

with positive experiences will become advocates when talking to other women.

counselling

among women at risk.

The HIV epidemic in the sub region has further increased the problem of cervical cancer as those so infected have rapid progression of the disease and usually have poorer outcome. Efforts to improve the control of the infection will also lead to the reduction in the mortality of cervical cancer.

#### **4.2.1 Pre-requisites for cervical screening: Infrastructure, funding, training**

The following were the submissions of Oxford University's Africa – Oxford Cancer Consortium (AFROX) meeting towards prevention of cervical cancer in Africa at St Catherin's College Oxford in March 2009. The meeting was chaired by Professor David Kerr of Oxford University and Professor Fiander Alison of The University of Cardiff. The following were the suggested prerequisite towards setting up effective screening programs in the sub region.

To set up a cervical screening programme, it is vital to address the associated infrastructure, funding and training needs. The delegates at this workshop recommended that it would be important for:


#### **4.2.2 Evaluation & cost effectiveness of cervical screening**

The participants of this workshop discussed how to evaluate and measure the cost effectiveness and success of cervical screening programmes. They identified the following areas as being critical for consideration:

Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 71

 Survivors' stories and the family stories of the women who have died of cervical cancer need to be told. Doctors and nurses should also tell stories about cervical cancer. We should not be afraid to tell individual stories; these are the ones that touch people.

Cervical cancer is still a problem in sub Sahara Africa. Concerted and focussed effort towards the reduction in the burden of the disease is urgently needed. The intensification of preventive, screening and therapeutic measures including education of the populace on these aspects can bring the disease under control as it is in the developed countries. Each country of Sub Sahara Africa should develop and implement sustainable preventive and screening programs using any of the available methods suitable and appropriate for their own setting instead of the present opportunistic screening activities prevalent in the region. Functional cancer registries are needed to analyze the pattern of the disease so as to help in planning control programs. There is also the need to address some of the conditions that predispose to practices that favor the development and spread of the disease. These conditions include poverty, illiteracy, political instability and widespread

Abotchie, P. & Shokar, N (2009). Cervical Cancer Screening Among College Students in

Adebamowo CA and Adekunle O O(1999). Case control study of epidemiologic risk factors

AFROX Towards Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Africa 2009 www.afrox.org accessed on

Ajayi IO, Adewole IF (1998). Knowledge and attitude of out patients' attendants in Nigeria

Anorlu RI, Banjo AAF, Odoemhum C, et al. (2000) Cervical cancer and cervical cancer

Anorlu RI, Orakwue CO, Oyeneyin L, et al. Late presentation of cervical cancer in Lagos:

Anorlu RI, Rabiu KA, Abudu OO, et al. Cervical cancer screening practices among general

Arrossi S, Paolino M, Sankaranarayanan R (2010)Challenges faced by cervical cancer

Ashraf H. Poor nations need more help to slow growing cancer burden. Lancet 2003;

Auvert B., Sobngwi-Tambekou,J. Cutler, E., Nieuwoudt, M Lissouba, P, Puren, A & Taljaard

screening: level of awareness in women attending a primary health care facility in

what is responsible? European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology 2004; 25(6):729–

practitioners in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

prevention programs in developing countries: a situational analysis of program organization in Argentina. Pan American Journal of Public Health. 2010

D. Effect of male circumcision on the prevalence of high-risk human

for breast cancer in Nigeria. Br J Surg. No. 86: (1999) pp. 771-775

to cervical cancer. Central African Journal of Medicine ;44(2):41–44.

Lagos. Nigeria Postgraduate Medical Journal 2000;70:25–28.

Ghana: Knowledge and Health BeliefsInt J Gynecol ; Vol 19 No.3 ( April 2009):pp.

**5. Conclusion** 

underdevelopment.

412–416.

32.

2oth July 2011

2007;27(2):181–84

Oct;28(4):249-57

361:2209.

**6. References** 

	- Are programs easy to staff?
	- Should pap smears be abandoned for developing countries due to lack of people to read them?
	- Work must be done by another health care level other than doctor but problems arise when empowerment of lower personnel is met by resistance from doctors
	- Brain drain an issue we must address the retention of health care personnel
	- Need more interaction with health economists
	- Sustainability?
	- We must look into different financial flows, the idea of marketing campaigns and alternate financing schemes to raise substantial sums
	- Feasibility of "mother‐daughter" screening and vaccination project?
	- Feasibility of self‐screening?
	- Need to sell a product to the policy makers? It is problematic to make a set of recommendations for African countries. The right screening depends on where you are. This is a highly heterogeneous environment and we can't settle on a one‐size‐ fits‐all approach
	- Dogmatic decisions to be replaced by research‐based decisions…lobbying is good if it is on the basis of data.
	- Screening must be made part of a country's health policy
	- Demonstration projects are a good way to show political leaders the efficacy of screening programs
	- Millennium Development Goals (MDG) goals 4 and 5 (reduction in child mortality and improvement in maternal health) are a useful platform to use – argue that HPV is part of maternal health.

#### **4.2.3 Creating a climate for informed decision-making in screening and vaccination**

The delegates at this workshop suggested the following steps should be taken, to create a climate of informed decision‐making about screening and vaccination programmes:


 Survivors' stories and the family stories of the women who have died of cervical cancer need to be told. Doctors and nurses should also tell stories about cervical cancer. We should not be afraid to tell individual stories; these are the ones that touch people.

#### **5. Conclusion**

70 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention








**4.2.3 Creating a climate for informed decision-making in screening and vaccination**  The delegates at this workshop suggested the following steps should be taken, to create a

 Informed consent has to be tailored appropriately to population. Informed consent means different things in different situations and with different people, so it has to be

Policy makers are not yet aware of the cost/toll of cervical cancer in their countries.

Scientific evidence is important but a consensus statement can also be useful, for

climate of informed decision‐making about screening and vaccination programmes:

Consequently, the development of cancer registries is important.

Need to show politicians that the impact of screening would be seen now.

1. Training

2. Cost

3. Coverage

4. Political will



it is on the basis of data.

is part of maternal health.

screening programs

appropriate to population.

Screening should become part of routine care.

example from the world health organisation.

fits‐all approach


alternate financing schemes to raise substantial sums



read them?


Cervical cancer is still a problem in sub Sahara Africa. Concerted and focussed effort towards the reduction in the burden of the disease is urgently needed. The intensification of preventive, screening and therapeutic measures including education of the populace on these aspects can bring the disease under control as it is in the developed countries. Each country of Sub Sahara Africa should develop and implement sustainable preventive and screening programs using any of the available methods suitable and appropriate for their own setting instead of the present opportunistic screening activities prevalent in the region. Functional cancer registries are needed to analyze the pattern of the disease so as to help in planning control programs. There is also the need to address some of the conditions that predispose to practices that favor the development and spread of the disease. These conditions include poverty, illiteracy, political instability and widespread underdevelopment.

#### **6. References**


Cervical Cancer in Sub Sahara Africa 73

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La Ruche G, You B, Mensah-Ado I, et al. Human papillomavirus and human

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Louie K, Sanjose S & Mayaud P (2009)., Epidemiology and prevention of human papilloma

Moodley M, Moodley J, Kleinschmidt I. Invasive cervical cancer and human

Moodley JR, Hoffman M, Carrara H, et al. HIV and pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the cervix in South Africa: a case-control study. BMC Cancer 2006;6135. Murray SA, Grant E, Grant A, et al. Dying from cancer in developed and developing

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Sankaranarayanan R. HPV vaccination: the promise & problems. Indian J Med Res.

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**5** 

*Romania* 

**The Indicators of Predicting** 

*2Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest* 

Coralia Bleotu1,2 and Gabriela Anton1

**Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis** 

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, currently ranked as the third cancer causing death for females (Ferlay et al., 2010). Since the screening programs have been implemented the incidence and mortality associated with cervical cancer have declined (Gustafsson et al., 1997) but in developing countries it still remains a

Although essential for the transformation of cervical epithelial cells, HPV is not sufficient, a number of other cofactors and molecular events being also incriminated (Woodman et al., 2007). Cervical HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease which occurs in women short time after beginning the sexual life. In young women, the disease is usually transient, its prevalence decreasing around 30 years (de Sanjosé et al., 2007). A second peak of infection is found in older women and is superposed to the peak of cervical cancer incidence (Anton et al., 2011). Near 40 of the more than 140 HPV types identified so far can infect the cervix (Bernard et al., 2010). Differences in carcinogenicity of cervix specific HPV types are partially related to the expression of the E6 and E7 oncogenes which, among other functions, interfere with tumour suppressor proteins p53 and pRb, respectively (Sinal et al., 2005). By these interactions viral oncogenes abrogate the mechanisms of cell-cycle control and

As many studies sustain, in the absence of persistent infection the risk of cervical cancer is low (Schiffman et al., 2011). Persistent infection with high risk genotypes and the inability of the immune system to clear viral infection are the main factors contributing to tumors genesis. Thus, according to new concepts (Snijders et al, 2006), both the immune mechanisms of the host and the nature of infected cells are decisive for cervix lesions development. It takes 12-15 years before a hrHPV persistent infection may lead to cervical carcinoma, thus underlying the multistep process of cervical oncogenesis. Aberrant functions of tumour-suppressor genes as a result of their interaction with hrHPV viral genes, determine the genomic instability. These alterations cumulated with the action of various cofactors lead to progressive lesions and finally to cancer. The epithelial cells transformation is a 4 steps process, as proven by *in vitro* analysis: extended life span, immortalization, loss of anchorage and tumorigenic growth (Snijders et al, 2006). Each step

is characterized by accumulation of (epi) genetic cell changes.

**1. Introduction** 

apoptosis.

cause of death in women.

*1Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest* 


### **The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis**

Coralia Bleotu1,2 and Gabriela Anton1

*1Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest 2Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest Romania* 

#### **1. Introduction**

74 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Suba, E, Murphy, S, Donnelly, A. Furia,L Huynh, M &. Raab, S. Systems Analysis of Real-

American Journal of Public Health Vol. 96, No. 3( March 2006) pp 480-487 sSACCWG (sub Sahara Africa Cervical Cancer Working Group)Scientific Communiqué

Temmerman M, Tyndall MW, Kidula N, et al. Risk factors for human papillomavirus and

Thomas J, Herrero R, Omigbodun A, Ojemakinde K, Ajayi ! , Fawole A, Oladepo O, Smith J

Urasa M & Dar E. Knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices of nurses at a regional hospital in Tanzania African Health Sci Vol 11 No. 1 March2011 pp 48-57 Wright TC Jr, Ellerbrock TV, Chiasson MA, et al. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in

Journal Gynecology and Obstetrics 1999;65:171–78.

number 3. November 2010

World Obstacles to Successful Cervical Cancer Prevention in Developing Countries

cervical precancerous lesions: the role of concurrent HIV-1 infection. International

et al. Prevalence of papillomavirus infection in women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a population-based study. British Journal of Cancer No 90 (Feb 2004) pp.638-645 The Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) Developing Cervical cancer screening

programs that meet women's needs. www.alliance-cxca.org Accessed 19th July 2011

women infected with human immunodeficiency virus: prevalence, risk factors, and validity of Papanicolaou smears. Obstetrics and Gynecology 1994;84(4):591–97.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, currently ranked as the third cancer causing death for females (Ferlay et al., 2010). Since the screening programs have been implemented the incidence and mortality associated with cervical cancer have declined (Gustafsson et al., 1997) but in developing countries it still remains a cause of death in women.

Although essential for the transformation of cervical epithelial cells, HPV is not sufficient, a number of other cofactors and molecular events being also incriminated (Woodman et al., 2007). Cervical HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease which occurs in women short time after beginning the sexual life. In young women, the disease is usually transient, its prevalence decreasing around 30 years (de Sanjosé et al., 2007). A second peak of infection is found in older women and is superposed to the peak of cervical cancer incidence (Anton et al., 2011). Near 40 of the more than 140 HPV types identified so far can infect the cervix (Bernard et al., 2010). Differences in carcinogenicity of cervix specific HPV types are partially related to the expression of the E6 and E7 oncogenes which, among other functions, interfere with tumour suppressor proteins p53 and pRb, respectively (Sinal et al., 2005). By these interactions viral oncogenes abrogate the mechanisms of cell-cycle control and apoptosis.

As many studies sustain, in the absence of persistent infection the risk of cervical cancer is low (Schiffman et al., 2011). Persistent infection with high risk genotypes and the inability of the immune system to clear viral infection are the main factors contributing to tumors genesis. Thus, according to new concepts (Snijders et al, 2006), both the immune mechanisms of the host and the nature of infected cells are decisive for cervix lesions development. It takes 12-15 years before a hrHPV persistent infection may lead to cervical carcinoma, thus underlying the multistep process of cervical oncogenesis. Aberrant functions of tumour-suppressor genes as a result of their interaction with hrHPV viral genes, determine the genomic instability. These alterations cumulated with the action of various cofactors lead to progressive lesions and finally to cancer. The epithelial cells transformation is a 4 steps process, as proven by *in vitro* analysis: extended life span, immortalization, loss of anchorage and tumorigenic growth (Snijders et al, 2006). Each step is characterized by accumulation of (epi) genetic cell changes.

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 77

leads to the uncontrolled expression of viral oncoproteins, which in turn leads to disruption of the normal cell cycle regulation and progres of HPV-associated cervical cancer (Hung et al., 2010). E6 and E7 oncoproteins are also required for the maintenance of the transformed status of infected cells (Longworth & Laimins, 2004). This pattern is characteristic for high

In terms of HPV pathogenesis, depending on the HPV genotyope involved in the infections, there are three types of clinical manifestations: (a) productive infection, characterized by virions production and a strictly regulated expression of the viral genes at well defined sites. CIN 1 represents the histological manifestation of productive infections. (b) latent/inactive infection, rarely visible, without clinical signs (asymptomatic), characterized by maintenance of the viral genome in basal layers and early viral proteins expression at levels below those necessary to produce an effective immune response. Viral persistence may be the consequence of infection in case of immune system depletion and may result from silencing expression of viral gene through methylation (Kalantari et al., 2004). (c) abortive infection, as a precursor to cancer, is associated in particular with hrHPV genotypes which induce changes in virus-infected cells causing cancer. HPV-induced cancers often arise in sites which are non-optimal for productive infection. Low risk HPV types are only

According to Wentzensen and von Knebel Doeberitz (2007), there are several applications for the cancer biomarkers including: (1) early detection of cancers (identification of individuals prone to develop cancer at a time point that still allows for a successful curative intervention); (2) improved reproducibility of the histopathological diagnoses (allowing for risk assessment of detected lesions and stratify intermediate lesions); (3) surveillance of persons at risk (allowing for non-invasive monitoring or reduce invasive procedures); (4) post therapy monitoring (predicting the progression and monitoring recurrences after

Approximately 80% of CIN1 lesions regress spontaneously (Follen and Richards-Kortum, 2000) and usually are managed conservatively. On the other hand, CIN2 and CIN3 have a considerable risk of progression toward invasive cancer and are therefore usually treated by conization or other less invasive procedures. Anyway, despite its rather low rate of progression, CIN2 is frequently treated, fact that leads to contradictory discussions (Spitzer et al, 2006; Wright et al, 2003). In order to restrict treatment to CIN1/2 groups, there is a need for biomarkers that could discriminate between CIN1/2 with high risk of progression and those with high chance to regress spontaneously (Ozaki et al., 2011). Additional markers are also necessary to overcome diagnostic inaccuracies due to the existence of several CIN mimics, such as immature squamous metaplasia (Duggan et al, 2006; Geng et al, 1999), or to heterogeneous distribution of dysplastic lesions that can result in over- and

A hrHPV positive test without associated important cytological changes would always require monitoring. The risk of progression toward invasive cancer increases with the lesions' grade (Ostor 1993), thus, biomarkers specifically associated with disease progression, allowing for a correct triage must improve the cervical cancer screening

grade CIN and carcinoma.

treatment).

under-diagnosis.

occasionally associated with mucosal cancers.

**3. Biomarkers – Indicators of the disease state** 

There is a continuing interest in the molecular mechanism of HPV oncogenic induction program, especially for clinicians who need new markers. Together with HPV DNA and PAP tests, these new markers may have additional value for risk assessment of cervical cancer and may reduce the number of biopsies. A major challenge for gynaecologists is to implement more markers in the routine practice, in order to have a better estimation of the risk a cervical lesion has to progress to cancer. Taking into account the contribution of oncogenic HPVs to malignant phenotype development by several interrelated mechanisms we evaluated the molecular markers (used in a variety of techniques) which might characterize different stages of HPV-associated epithelial lesions. The next step is to determine their suitability as "surrogate markers". In order to point host genes involvement, viral cell cycle has to be known.

#### **2. HPV life cycle**

All the HPV types infecting cervix are non-enveloped small sized viruses and have about 8000-base pairs in their double-stranded circular DNA. Their genome has overlapped open reading frames, coding for eight proteins, divided into an early (genes E1-E7) and a late region (genes L1-L2). The early genes are expressed in the infected basal cells while the late proteins are synthesized only in well differentiated cells. The early proteins have regulatory functions, being involved in HPV genome replication and transcription, cell cycle, cell signalling and apoptosis control, immune modulation and structural modification of the infected cell (Molijn et al., 2005; Sinal & Woods, 2005).

The replication cycle of HPV is tightly linked to differentiation of the epithelium it infects. For the initial infection to occur microlesions in the stratified epithelium are requested. Although some cell surface receptors have been mentioned, as heparin sulphate (Giroglou et al., 2001) and alpha-6 integrin, the controversy persists. It has been suggested that for a lesion to be maintained, the virus must infect an epithelial stem cell (Egawa, 2003). Following infection, in the basal cells of the epithelium, where low levels of viral early proteins (E1, E2, E5, E6 and E7) are observed, a low number of viral genome copies are maintained as episome. For viral DNA synthesis, beside E1 and E2 proteins that are necessary for viral replication, papilomaviruses use the host cell machinery. Viral transcription increases in differentiated cells while assembly of new virions occurs only in the squamous epithelia undergoing terminal differentiation. E4 is the first protein expressed late in infection and it may be accompanied by E5. The late proteins L1 and L2, are expressed in the granular layer of the epithelium and the assembled viruses are released from the fully differentiated cells. This pattern of gene expression is characteristic to productive infection and its pathological effect is specific for CIN 1 and some CIN 2 lesions. A deregulated E6 and E7 expression in proliferating cells and the interference of these viral oncogenes with tumour supressor genes p53 and pRB respectively, determine the cells to overcome senescence barrier and to develop a transformed phenotype (Fehrmann & Laimins, 2003). Recent studies have provided data on how different types of stimuli activate signalling pathways leading to senescence. It seems that these stimuli are funnelled through p53 and pRB (Narita et al., 2003) whose combined levels of activity determine the cells to enter senescence or to remain in a competent state for proliferation (Dirac & Bernards, 2003). Usually, the up-regulation of viral oncogenes expression is associated with viral genome integration into the host cell chromosome and with viral E2 gene disruption. Loss of the E2

There is a continuing interest in the molecular mechanism of HPV oncogenic induction program, especially for clinicians who need new markers. Together with HPV DNA and PAP tests, these new markers may have additional value for risk assessment of cervical cancer and may reduce the number of biopsies. A major challenge for gynaecologists is to implement more markers in the routine practice, in order to have a better estimation of the risk a cervical lesion has to progress to cancer. Taking into account the contribution of oncogenic HPVs to malignant phenotype development by several interrelated mechanisms we evaluated the molecular markers (used in a variety of techniques) which might characterize different stages of HPV-associated epithelial lesions. The next step is to determine their suitability as "surrogate markers". In order to point host genes involvement,

All the HPV types infecting cervix are non-enveloped small sized viruses and have about 8000-base pairs in their double-stranded circular DNA. Their genome has overlapped open reading frames, coding for eight proteins, divided into an early (genes E1-E7) and a late region (genes L1-L2). The early genes are expressed in the infected basal cells while the late proteins are synthesized only in well differentiated cells. The early proteins have regulatory functions, being involved in HPV genome replication and transcription, cell cycle, cell signalling and apoptosis control, immune modulation and structural modification of the

The replication cycle of HPV is tightly linked to differentiation of the epithelium it infects. For the initial infection to occur microlesions in the stratified epithelium are requested. Although some cell surface receptors have been mentioned, as heparin sulphate (Giroglou et al., 2001) and alpha-6 integrin, the controversy persists. It has been suggested that for a lesion to be maintained, the virus must infect an epithelial stem cell (Egawa, 2003). Following infection, in the basal cells of the epithelium, where low levels of viral early proteins (E1, E2, E5, E6 and E7) are observed, a low number of viral genome copies are maintained as episome. For viral DNA synthesis, beside E1 and E2 proteins that are necessary for viral replication, papilomaviruses use the host cell machinery. Viral transcription increases in differentiated cells while assembly of new virions occurs only in the squamous epithelia undergoing terminal differentiation. E4 is the first protein expressed late in infection and it may be accompanied by E5. The late proteins L1 and L2, are expressed in the granular layer of the epithelium and the assembled viruses are released from the fully differentiated cells. This pattern of gene expression is characteristic to productive infection and its pathological effect is specific for CIN 1 and some CIN 2 lesions. A deregulated E6 and E7 expression in proliferating cells and the interference of these viral oncogenes with tumour supressor genes p53 and pRB respectively, determine the cells to overcome senescence barrier and to develop a transformed phenotype (Fehrmann & Laimins, 2003). Recent studies have provided data on how different types of stimuli activate signalling pathways leading to senescence. It seems that these stimuli are funnelled through p53 and pRB (Narita et al., 2003) whose combined levels of activity determine the cells to enter senescence or to remain in a competent state for proliferation (Dirac & Bernards, 2003). Usually, the up-regulation of viral oncogenes expression is associated with viral genome integration into the host cell chromosome and with viral E2 gene disruption. Loss of the E2

viral cell cycle has to be known.

infected cell (Molijn et al., 2005; Sinal & Woods, 2005).

**2. HPV life cycle** 

leads to the uncontrolled expression of viral oncoproteins, which in turn leads to disruption of the normal cell cycle regulation and progres of HPV-associated cervical cancer (Hung et al., 2010). E6 and E7 oncoproteins are also required for the maintenance of the transformed status of infected cells (Longworth & Laimins, 2004). This pattern is characteristic for high grade CIN and carcinoma.

In terms of HPV pathogenesis, depending on the HPV genotyope involved in the infections, there are three types of clinical manifestations: (a) productive infection, characterized by virions production and a strictly regulated expression of the viral genes at well defined sites. CIN 1 represents the histological manifestation of productive infections. (b) latent/inactive infection, rarely visible, without clinical signs (asymptomatic), characterized by maintenance of the viral genome in basal layers and early viral proteins expression at levels below those necessary to produce an effective immune response. Viral persistence may be the consequence of infection in case of immune system depletion and may result from silencing expression of viral gene through methylation (Kalantari et al., 2004). (c) abortive infection, as a precursor to cancer, is associated in particular with hrHPV genotypes which induce changes in virus-infected cells causing cancer. HPV-induced cancers often arise in sites which are non-optimal for productive infection. Low risk HPV types are only occasionally associated with mucosal cancers.

#### **3. Biomarkers – Indicators of the disease state**

According to Wentzensen and von Knebel Doeberitz (2007), there are several applications for the cancer biomarkers including: (1) early detection of cancers (identification of individuals prone to develop cancer at a time point that still allows for a successful curative intervention); (2) improved reproducibility of the histopathological diagnoses (allowing for risk assessment of detected lesions and stratify intermediate lesions); (3) surveillance of persons at risk (allowing for non-invasive monitoring or reduce invasive procedures); (4) post therapy monitoring (predicting the progression and monitoring recurrences after treatment).

Approximately 80% of CIN1 lesions regress spontaneously (Follen and Richards-Kortum, 2000) and usually are managed conservatively. On the other hand, CIN2 and CIN3 have a considerable risk of progression toward invasive cancer and are therefore usually treated by conization or other less invasive procedures. Anyway, despite its rather low rate of progression, CIN2 is frequently treated, fact that leads to contradictory discussions (Spitzer et al, 2006; Wright et al, 2003). In order to restrict treatment to CIN1/2 groups, there is a need for biomarkers that could discriminate between CIN1/2 with high risk of progression and those with high chance to regress spontaneously (Ozaki et al., 2011). Additional markers are also necessary to overcome diagnostic inaccuracies due to the existence of several CIN mimics, such as immature squamous metaplasia (Duggan et al, 2006; Geng et al, 1999), or to heterogeneous distribution of dysplastic lesions that can result in over- and under-diagnosis.

A hrHPV positive test without associated important cytological changes would always require monitoring. The risk of progression toward invasive cancer increases with the lesions' grade (Ostor 1993), thus, biomarkers specifically associated with disease progression, allowing for a correct triage must improve the cervical cancer screening

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 79

or ASCUS, in the majority of cases, p53 was overexpressed in the basal cell layer, thus presenting a positive response to viral infection or to the lesion (Cenci et al., 2005). A paper reported that the majority of CIN showed absent to focal staining while most of the invasive carcinoma showed regional to diffuse staining. A greater expression of p53 in the malignant cervical neoplasms than in the pre-malignant cervical lesions was noted, suggesting that p53 overexpression is not an early phenomenon in cervical cancer (Tan et al., 2007). p53 control the G1 transition to S phase and its abrogation affect the expression of p16, p21 and p27 cyclin inhibitors. p21, p27 and p57 CDK inhibitors inhibit the cyclin/CDK2, CDK4 complexes and causes G1 arrest. The levels of these proteins are of prognostic significance in cervical oncogenesis. p27 might be inactivated early in

carcinogenesis by E7 hrHPV and may precede tumor invasion (Zur Hausen, 1994).

staining which correlate to the lesion's grade (Kostopoulou et al., 2011)**.** 

**Cyclins** such as cyclin D1 are subjected to molecular alterations that characterize cervical carcinoma. Cyclin D1 forms a complex with CDK4 or CDK6 to carry out the phosphorylation of pRb. The phosphorilation of pRb leads to the release of the transcriptional factor E2F which, in turn, induces the expression of proteins required for S phase. Since D type cyclins and E7 HPV possess similar binding regions for pRb and pRb related pocket proteins, inactivation of pRb either by the cyclin/CDK complexes in G1 or by interaction with the E7 hrHPV may result in a decreased expression of cyclin D1. There are controversial results on the role of cyclin D1 in cervical carcinogenesis and clinical outcome (Goia et al., 2010*)*. Although some studies reported no correlation between the expression of D1 cyclin and dysplasia (Goia et al., 2010) some authors associated overexpression of cyclin D1 with a poor prognosis in cervical carcinoma (Bae et al., 2001). An increase in cyclin D1 expression was observed from CIN 3 to invasive carcinoma as a consequence of the inability of overexpressed p16 to inactivate CDK4/6, the partner of cyclin D1. The authors suggested that the immunohistochemical expression of cyclin D1 might be a marker in cervical cancer progression only if restricted beyond to the lower third layer (Conesa-Zamora et al, 2009).

**p16** is a tumor suppressor protein belonging to the family of INK4 cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitors whose increased expression has been associated with HPV-infected dysplastic and neoplastic epithelium of the cervix. p16 expression is the result of negative feedback on functional inactivation of pRb by E7 HPV (Zur Hausen 1994). p16 protein normally acts like a negative regulator of cellular proliferation, but its inhibitory action is not efficient in the case of proliferating hrHPV infected cells (Dray et al., 2005). Most studies confirm p16 overexpression in all HSIL lesions but also in some normal epithelium of cervix at both protein (von Knebel Doeberitz et al., 2002) and messenger levels (Bleotu et al., 2009). On the other hand, p16 is not expressed in cervicitis nor is in squamous metaplasic epithelium (in the absence of CIN stages) (Hu et al.*,* 2005). Still, other studies proved that p16 high level was found in cervical glandular epithelium and also in metaplasic epithelium. Therefore immunohistochemical analysis of p16 is considered a powerful tool in the identification of HPV-mediated premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix. Cytoplasm predominant localization of p16 seems to be related to the increasing histological grade of cervical lesion (Horn et al., 2006). Yldz et al**.** found strong and full thickness staining for p16 in the cervix epithelium in HSIL lesions and weak and basal/rare staining in LSIL. All hrHPV-positive cases were p16-positive, but no statistically significant relationship between HPV infection and the intensity and distribution of p16 was found (Yldz et al., 2007). Depending on the positive cells distribution, there have been recognised four patterns of p16

programs and the early detection of people at risk. Therefore, in order to be useful, the biomarkers must meet the following criteria: (1) they must be differently expressed in normal and high-risk tissues; (2) they should be synthesised in a well defined stage of carcinogenesis; (3) both the marker and its assay must be acceptable sensitive, specific and accurate; (4) they should be easily measured; (5) they should be correlated with a decrease in the cancer incidence rate (Follen and Schottenfeld, 2001). The inherent variability in interpretation between individuals has led to wide ranges in diagnostic precision between practices, but the advent of immunohistochemistry and the more recent discovery of new genes and their functions have resulted in the identification of cellular proteins that are differently expressed in tumours (Nucci et al., 2003).

#### **3.1 Cell cycle regulation markers**

The loss of cell-cycle control by HPV oncoproteins directly or indirectly interacting with the host genes (Giannoudis et al., 2000) leads to accelerated proliferation mirrored by an increased number of cells expressing specific markers. Among cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) that governed cell cycle, p53, Rb and CDK inhibitors (p15, p16, p18, p19, p21, p27) play a special role by arresting the cell cycle until damaged DNA is completely repaired. Therefore, the cell cycle regulators may shed light on the understanding of HPVmediated cervical carcinogenesis (Conesa-Zamora et al., 2009).

The roles played by cyclins and CDKs in distinct phases of the cell cycle, suggest that they could be used as markers for cell proliferation in cervical malignancy (Skomedal et al., 1999).

The ability of HPV oncoproteins to disrupt growth regulatory proteins may have effects on the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors linked to the G1- and G2- checkpoints. As mentioned before, cell cycle deregulation in cervical carcinogenesis is by far linked to p53 and pRb. The degradation of p53 tumour-suppressor gene by E6 may result in accumulation of damaged DNA. By contrast with other cancers where p53 appears to be down-regulated by point mutations, in cervical cancer p53 expression seems to be increased; the levels of p53 in high-grade SIL (HSIL) and cervical carcinoma is higher than in low-grade SIL (LSIL) and normal cervix. There are authors who reported higher p53 expression in cervical biopsy specimens from patients without HPV infection or who where infected with low-risk HPV (Tsuda et al., 2003). Conflicting results on this topic have been published: some studies showed a significant correlation of p53 expression with CIN 3 or carcinoma compared with normal cervix or LSIL (Bahnassy et al., 2007) whereas others showed no significant association. These results suggest that the absence of p53 immunostaining might be due to the capacity of some hrHPVs to down-regulate in different extent the p53 expression, probably via E6-induced ubiquitination. Overexpression of p53 does not seem to be related to HPV oncoprotein action, as some authors noted higher expression of p53 protein in early lesions. These data support the hypothesis of a partially protective role of the wild-type p53 in the early stages of cervical lesions (Vassallo et al., 2000) and is correlated with the observation that high levels of p53 expression are detected mostly in low-grade SILs (LSILs) and lrHPV-associated lesions (Kurvinen et al., 1996). Thus, p53 might function as a molecular marker for the risk of the progression of HPV-associated SILs. Øvestad et al, (2011) reported that CIN2–3 lesions regressed if higher epithelial pRb and p53 levels were present. Therefore, they proposed p53 and pRB as biomarkers. One paper noted that in HPV-positive or –negative low CIN

programs and the early detection of people at risk. Therefore, in order to be useful, the biomarkers must meet the following criteria: (1) they must be differently expressed in normal and high-risk tissues; (2) they should be synthesised in a well defined stage of carcinogenesis; (3) both the marker and its assay must be acceptable sensitive, specific and accurate; (4) they should be easily measured; (5) they should be correlated with a decrease in the cancer incidence rate (Follen and Schottenfeld, 2001). The inherent variability in interpretation between individuals has led to wide ranges in diagnostic precision between practices, but the advent of immunohistochemistry and the more recent discovery of new genes and their functions have resulted in the identification of cellular proteins that are

The loss of cell-cycle control by HPV oncoproteins directly or indirectly interacting with the host genes (Giannoudis et al., 2000) leads to accelerated proliferation mirrored by an increased number of cells expressing specific markers. Among cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) that governed cell cycle, p53, Rb and CDK inhibitors (p15, p16, p18, p19, p21, p27) play a special role by arresting the cell cycle until damaged DNA is completely repaired. Therefore, the cell cycle regulators may shed light on the understanding of HPV-

The roles played by cyclins and CDKs in distinct phases of the cell cycle, suggest that they could be used as markers for cell proliferation in cervical malignancy (Skomedal et al., 1999). The ability of HPV oncoproteins to disrupt growth regulatory proteins may have effects on the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors linked to the G1- and G2- checkpoints. As mentioned before, cell cycle deregulation in cervical carcinogenesis is by far linked to p53 and pRb. The degradation of p53 tumour-suppressor gene by E6 may result in accumulation of damaged DNA. By contrast with other cancers where p53 appears to be down-regulated by point mutations, in cervical cancer p53 expression seems to be increased; the levels of p53 in high-grade SIL (HSIL) and cervical carcinoma is higher than in low-grade SIL (LSIL) and normal cervix. There are authors who reported higher p53 expression in cervical biopsy specimens from patients without HPV infection or who where infected with low-risk HPV (Tsuda et al., 2003). Conflicting results on this topic have been published: some studies showed a significant correlation of p53 expression with CIN 3 or carcinoma compared with normal cervix or LSIL (Bahnassy et al., 2007) whereas others showed no significant association. These results suggest that the absence of p53 immunostaining might be due to the capacity of some hrHPVs to down-regulate in different extent the p53 expression, probably via E6-induced ubiquitination. Overexpression of p53 does not seem to be related to HPV oncoprotein action, as some authors noted higher expression of p53 protein in early lesions. These data support the hypothesis of a partially protective role of the wild-type p53 in the early stages of cervical lesions (Vassallo et al., 2000) and is correlated with the observation that high levels of p53 expression are detected mostly in low-grade SILs (LSILs) and lrHPV-associated lesions (Kurvinen et al., 1996). Thus, p53 might function as a molecular marker for the risk of the progression of HPV-associated SILs. Øvestad et al, (2011) reported that CIN2–3 lesions regressed if higher epithelial pRb and p53 levels were present. Therefore, they proposed p53 and pRB as biomarkers. One paper noted that in HPV-positive or –negative low CIN

differently expressed in tumours (Nucci et al., 2003).

mediated cervical carcinogenesis (Conesa-Zamora et al., 2009).

**3.1 Cell cycle regulation markers** 

or ASCUS, in the majority of cases, p53 was overexpressed in the basal cell layer, thus presenting a positive response to viral infection or to the lesion (Cenci et al., 2005). A paper reported that the majority of CIN showed absent to focal staining while most of the invasive carcinoma showed regional to diffuse staining. A greater expression of p53 in the malignant cervical neoplasms than in the pre-malignant cervical lesions was noted, suggesting that p53 overexpression is not an early phenomenon in cervical cancer (Tan et al., 2007). p53 control the G1 transition to S phase and its abrogation affect the expression of p16, p21 and p27 cyclin inhibitors. p21, p27 and p57 CDK inhibitors inhibit the cyclin/CDK2, CDK4 complexes and causes G1 arrest. The levels of these proteins are of prognostic significance in cervical oncogenesis. p27 might be inactivated early in carcinogenesis by E7 hrHPV and may precede tumor invasion (Zur Hausen, 1994).

**p16** is a tumor suppressor protein belonging to the family of INK4 cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitors whose increased expression has been associated with HPV-infected dysplastic and neoplastic epithelium of the cervix. p16 expression is the result of negative feedback on functional inactivation of pRb by E7 HPV (Zur Hausen 1994). p16 protein normally acts like a negative regulator of cellular proliferation, but its inhibitory action is not efficient in the case of proliferating hrHPV infected cells (Dray et al., 2005). Most studies confirm p16 overexpression in all HSIL lesions but also in some normal epithelium of cervix at both protein (von Knebel Doeberitz et al., 2002) and messenger levels (Bleotu et al., 2009). On the other hand, p16 is not expressed in cervicitis nor is in squamous metaplasic epithelium (in the absence of CIN stages) (Hu et al.*,* 2005). Still, other studies proved that p16 high level was found in cervical glandular epithelium and also in metaplasic epithelium. Therefore immunohistochemical analysis of p16 is considered a powerful tool in the identification of HPV-mediated premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix. Cytoplasm predominant localization of p16 seems to be related to the increasing histological grade of cervical lesion (Horn et al., 2006). Yldz et al**.** found strong and full thickness staining for p16 in the cervix epithelium in HSIL lesions and weak and basal/rare staining in LSIL. All hrHPV-positive cases were p16-positive, but no statistically significant relationship between HPV infection and the intensity and distribution of p16 was found (Yldz et al., 2007). Depending on the positive cells distribution, there have been recognised four patterns of p16 staining which correlate to the lesion's grade (Kostopoulou et al., 2011)**.** 

**Cyclins** such as cyclin D1 are subjected to molecular alterations that characterize cervical carcinoma. Cyclin D1 forms a complex with CDK4 or CDK6 to carry out the phosphorylation of pRb. The phosphorilation of pRb leads to the release of the transcriptional factor E2F which, in turn, induces the expression of proteins required for S phase. Since D type cyclins and E7 HPV possess similar binding regions for pRb and pRb related pocket proteins, inactivation of pRb either by the cyclin/CDK complexes in G1 or by interaction with the E7 hrHPV may result in a decreased expression of cyclin D1. There are controversial results on the role of cyclin D1 in cervical carcinogenesis and clinical outcome (Goia et al., 2010*)*. Although some studies reported no correlation between the expression of D1 cyclin and dysplasia (Goia et al., 2010) some authors associated overexpression of cyclin D1 with a poor prognosis in cervical carcinoma (Bae et al., 2001). An increase in cyclin D1 expression was observed from CIN 3 to invasive carcinoma as a consequence of the inability of overexpressed p16 to inactivate CDK4/6, the partner of cyclin D1. The authors suggested that the immunohistochemical expression of cyclin D1 might be a marker in cervical cancer progression only if restricted beyond to the lower third layer (Conesa-Zamora et al, 2009).

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 81

reported to decrease from normal cases to carcinoma (Cheung et al., 2001). On the other hand, Huang et al. (2010) reported that p21 expression decreased in HPV 18 positive carcinomas. The fact that aberrant expression of p27, cyclin E and p16 are early events in carcinogenesis (while p21 occur late in cervical carcinogenesis) might be of interest for early diagnostic and for monitoring patients with cervical dysplasia (Bahnassy et al, 2007). No established relationship was found between p27 expression and cell proliferation in cervical

Those cells with high proliferative activity that allow the accumulation of transforming mutations are more likely to be associated with premalignant and malignant tissues. The proliferative aspects distribution in specific layers (basal vs. parabasal vs. superficial) might indicate growth-regulatory mechanisms; thus the relation between proliferation and growth deregulation is of interest (Heatley, 1998). Proliferation in the normal cervix, in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and in invasive cervical carcinomas can be assessed by a range of techniques requiring technologies of varying sophistication and accessibility, considered in four broad groups (Heatley, 1998): (l) mitotic counts on routinely processed histological sections and cytological smears; (2) *in vivo* or *in vitro* incorporation of tritiated thymidine in actively proliferating cells*,* by injection into the cervix and by incubation with fresh tissue, respectively; (3) immunohistochemical techniques for Ki-67 labelling index and AgNOR

In the normal cervix, mitotic activity (quantified in routinely processed histological sections and cytological smears or by tritiated thymidine incorporation) is usually confined to the basal and parabasal layers, but in CIN the numbers and height of mitotic figures within the epithelium increases. The presence of mitotic figures is part of routine diagnosis and

Flow cytometry DNA content analysis on minced biopsy specimens (Melsheimer et al. 2004) or smear (Tong et al., 2009) allow the association between aneuploidy and dysplasia degree. lrHPV types tend to be associated with polyclonal lesions whereas hrHPV types are associated with monoclonal lesions (Park et al, 1996). Ploidy appears to be a measurable biomarker and a good predictor of the biological behaviour with a better predictive value than the histopathologic characteristics (Follen and Schottenfeld, 2001). It is considered that in advanced dysplastic lesions, aneuploidy precedes HPV integration, further supporting the notion that integration of viral genomes is the consequence and not the cause of chromosomal instability and transformation (Melsheimer et al. 2004). Therefore, an increased aneuploid DNA value together with the increase in grades of cervical dysplasia are specific prognostic markers of malignancy (Kashyap & Das, 1998); flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy may be a potential means providing a strategic diagnostic tool for early detection of cervical cancer (Melsheimer et al. 2004). The combination of DNA ploidy (determined by cytometric test) with HPV screening and cytology is an optimal method to detect progressive lesions since it has the highest sensitivity and specificity (Singh et al.

Some proliferating molecules were investigated by immunohistochemistry like biomarkers

cancer (Kumar & Verma, 2006).

**3.2 Proliferation markers** 

counts; (4) flow cytometry.

2008).

biomarker value is discussed as a whole.

in cervical precursor lesions: PCNA, Ki67, ICBP90, etc.

Moreover, cytoplasmic staining is more noticeable in the basal and parabasal layers, suggesting a recently acquired alteration related to a high-grade dysplasia and the progression of the disease (Baldin et al., 1993). A significant increase in the cytoplasmic staining associated with an increasing degree of dysplasia was reported by Carreras et al. (2007*)* due to the fact that the number of cells in the S phase increases in severe lesions. This finding gives support to the cytoplasmic expression of p16 in lesions of higher grade since p16 is the inhibitor partner of cyclin D1 and they often appear together (Zhao M., et al., 2006*)*. The relationship between cyclin D1 expression and an increasing degree of dysplasia was not as remarkable as that seen for p16 but was statistically significant.

**Cyclin B1** complexes solely CDK1 (cdc2) to form the mitosis-promoting factor, which regulates the G2–M transition and is the primary regulator of mitosis. p53 was shown to prevent the G2–M transition by decreasing cyclin B levels. Some authors reported significantly cyclin B1 expression in invasive cervical cancer than in normal cervical tissue (Zhao P., et al*.,* 2006).

**Cyclin E** is expressed and associated with CDK2 near the G1-S boundary. Cyclin E hyperexpression is related to pRB inactivation by E7HPV but can not be correlated with hrHPV types. Recent studies have shown that cyclin E antigen correlates with the presence of HPV in atypical squamous epithelial cells. The association is stronger in LSIL, thus recommending this potential biomarker as a useful tool in distinguishing between benign/reactive changes from preneoplastic squamous atypia (Weaver et al., 2000). Much more common in cervical lesions *versus* non-neoplastic epithelium, cyclin E sensitivity may hamper its use as a marker (Crum, 2000). Other authors consider cyclin E together with p16 as the most sensitive tools for LSIL and HSIL detection respectively (Keating et al., 2001). In ThinPrep samples, cyclin E and p21 expression seems to correlate better with HSIL (Moore et al., 2005). The Cyclin E/CDK2 complex phosphorylates p27, tagging it for degradation, thus promoting expression of **cyclin A** with progression toward the S phase. A close association between hrHPV and cyclin A1 was noted (Goia et al, 2010). This could be explained by its complex up-regulation by both E7 and E6 oncoproteins, making cyclin A active in both S phase and late G2 phase of the cell cycle. Cyclin A1 might be a useful marker of cell proliferation most notably orchestrated by the capability of E7 to abrogate the inhibitory activity of p21CIP1/WAF1/SDI1 on CDK and proliferating cell nuclear antigen– dependent DNA replication necessary for the G1-S transition (Erlandsson, F. et al, 2006). Studies on cyclin A as prognostic marker are limited.

Immunohistochemistry investigation of several cell markers (cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4, p53, mdm-2, p21, p27*,* p16*,* Rb and Ki-67) revealed that aberrations involving p27, cyclin E, CDK4 and p16 are early events in HPV 16 and 18-associated cervical carcinoma, whereas cyclin D1 and p53 pathway abnormalities are considered late events. Therefore, the authors considered that immunohistochemical tests for p16 and cyclin E could be useful in early diagnosis of cervical carcinoma (Bahnassy et al., 2007).

E7 HPV binds to and blocks the function of p21 and p27 in a p53-independent manner (Zehbe et al., 1999). Both p21 and p27 are involved in cell cycle arrest through binding to G1 phase cyclin–CDK complexes. E7 hrHPV modulates the cytoplasmic localization of p27 and inhibits p21 function. Some studies showed that p21 immunoreactivity seems to be significantly correlated with high grade stage of cervical disease. The protein was reported to be significantly increased in CIN3 and *in situ* carcinoma. On the other hand, p27 was reported to decrease from normal cases to carcinoma (Cheung et al., 2001). On the other hand, Huang et al. (2010) reported that p21 expression decreased in HPV 18 positive carcinomas. The fact that aberrant expression of p27, cyclin E and p16 are early events in carcinogenesis (while p21 occur late in cervical carcinogenesis) might be of interest for early diagnostic and for monitoring patients with cervical dysplasia (Bahnassy et al, 2007). No established relationship was found between p27 expression and cell proliferation in cervical cancer (Kumar & Verma, 2006).

#### **3.2 Proliferation markers**

80 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Moreover, cytoplasmic staining is more noticeable in the basal and parabasal layers, suggesting a recently acquired alteration related to a high-grade dysplasia and the progression of the disease (Baldin et al., 1993). A significant increase in the cytoplasmic staining associated with an increasing degree of dysplasia was reported by Carreras et al. (2007*)* due to the fact that the number of cells in the S phase increases in severe lesions. This finding gives support to the cytoplasmic expression of p16 in lesions of higher grade since p16 is the inhibitor partner of cyclin D1 and they often appear together (Zhao M., et al., 2006*)*. The relationship between cyclin D1 expression and an increasing degree of dysplasia

**Cyclin B1** complexes solely CDK1 (cdc2) to form the mitosis-promoting factor, which regulates the G2–M transition and is the primary regulator of mitosis. p53 was shown to prevent the G2–M transition by decreasing cyclin B levels. Some authors reported significantly cyclin B1 expression in invasive cervical cancer than in normal cervical tissue

**Cyclin E** is expressed and associated with CDK2 near the G1-S boundary. Cyclin E hyperexpression is related to pRB inactivation by E7HPV but can not be correlated with hrHPV types. Recent studies have shown that cyclin E antigen correlates with the presence of HPV in atypical squamous epithelial cells. The association is stronger in LSIL, thus recommending this potential biomarker as a useful tool in distinguishing between benign/reactive changes from preneoplastic squamous atypia (Weaver et al., 2000). Much more common in cervical lesions *versus* non-neoplastic epithelium, cyclin E sensitivity may hamper its use as a marker (Crum, 2000). Other authors consider cyclin E together with p16 as the most sensitive tools for LSIL and HSIL detection respectively (Keating et al., 2001). In ThinPrep samples, cyclin E and p21 expression seems to correlate better with HSIL (Moore et al., 2005). The Cyclin E/CDK2 complex phosphorylates p27, tagging it for degradation, thus promoting expression of **cyclin A** with progression toward the S phase. A close association between hrHPV and cyclin A1 was noted (Goia et al, 2010). This could be explained by its complex up-regulation by both E7 and E6 oncoproteins, making cyclin A active in both S phase and late G2 phase of the cell cycle. Cyclin A1 might be a useful marker of cell proliferation most notably orchestrated by the capability of E7 to abrogate the inhibitory activity of p21CIP1/WAF1/SDI1 on CDK and proliferating cell nuclear antigen– dependent DNA replication necessary for the G1-S transition (Erlandsson, F. et al, 2006).

Immunohistochemistry investigation of several cell markers (cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4, p53, mdm-2, p21, p27*,* p16*,* Rb and Ki-67) revealed that aberrations involving p27, cyclin E, CDK4 and p16 are early events in HPV 16 and 18-associated cervical carcinoma, whereas cyclin D1 and p53 pathway abnormalities are considered late events. Therefore, the authors considered that immunohistochemical tests for p16 and cyclin E could be useful in early

E7 HPV binds to and blocks the function of p21 and p27 in a p53-independent manner (Zehbe et al., 1999). Both p21 and p27 are involved in cell cycle arrest through binding to G1 phase cyclin–CDK complexes. E7 hrHPV modulates the cytoplasmic localization of p27 and inhibits p21 function. Some studies showed that p21 immunoreactivity seems to be significantly correlated with high grade stage of cervical disease. The protein was reported to be significantly increased in CIN3 and *in situ* carcinoma. On the other hand, p27 was

was not as remarkable as that seen for p16 but was statistically significant.

Studies on cyclin A as prognostic marker are limited.

diagnosis of cervical carcinoma (Bahnassy et al., 2007).

(Zhao P., et al*.,* 2006).

Those cells with high proliferative activity that allow the accumulation of transforming mutations are more likely to be associated with premalignant and malignant tissues. The proliferative aspects distribution in specific layers (basal vs. parabasal vs. superficial) might indicate growth-regulatory mechanisms; thus the relation between proliferation and growth deregulation is of interest (Heatley, 1998). Proliferation in the normal cervix, in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and in invasive cervical carcinomas can be assessed by a range of techniques requiring technologies of varying sophistication and accessibility, considered in four broad groups (Heatley, 1998): (l) mitotic counts on routinely processed histological sections and cytological smears; (2) *in vivo* or *in vitro* incorporation of tritiated thymidine in actively proliferating cells*,* by injection into the cervix and by incubation with fresh tissue, respectively; (3) immunohistochemical techniques for Ki-67 labelling index and AgNOR counts; (4) flow cytometry.

In the normal cervix, mitotic activity (quantified in routinely processed histological sections and cytological smears or by tritiated thymidine incorporation) is usually confined to the basal and parabasal layers, but in CIN the numbers and height of mitotic figures within the epithelium increases. The presence of mitotic figures is part of routine diagnosis and biomarker value is discussed as a whole.

Flow cytometry DNA content analysis on minced biopsy specimens (Melsheimer et al. 2004) or smear (Tong et al., 2009) allow the association between aneuploidy and dysplasia degree. lrHPV types tend to be associated with polyclonal lesions whereas hrHPV types are associated with monoclonal lesions (Park et al, 1996). Ploidy appears to be a measurable biomarker and a good predictor of the biological behaviour with a better predictive value than the histopathologic characteristics (Follen and Schottenfeld, 2001). It is considered that in advanced dysplastic lesions, aneuploidy precedes HPV integration, further supporting the notion that integration of viral genomes is the consequence and not the cause of chromosomal instability and transformation (Melsheimer et al. 2004). Therefore, an increased aneuploid DNA value together with the increase in grades of cervical dysplasia are specific prognostic markers of malignancy (Kashyap & Das, 1998); flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy may be a potential means providing a strategic diagnostic tool for early detection of cervical cancer (Melsheimer et al. 2004). The combination of DNA ploidy (determined by cytometric test) with HPV screening and cytology is an optimal method to detect progressive lesions since it has the highest sensitivity and specificity (Singh et al. 2008).

Some proliferating molecules were investigated by immunohistochemistry like biomarkers in cervical precursor lesions: PCNA, Ki67, ICBP90, etc.

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 83

**ICBP90 protein** is a member of a nuclear proteins family with DNA-binding properties involved in DNA replication. ICBP90 detection, used as a proliferation marker (Hopfner R, et al, 2000), gives information only concerning the number of cells that entered the cycle without any indication on the duration of the cycle. ICBP90 like Ki67 was linked to the development of an HSIL. 97.6% of HSILs positively stained for ICBP90; thus confirms it as a useful proliferation marker (Lorenzato et al., 2005). If an hrHPV type was present, the association of a suspect DNA profile with a positive proliferation marker could predict the presence of HSIL in a very accurate way. On the other hand the association of a suspect DNA profile with the presence of ICBP90-positive cells and MIB-1 in the upper two thirds of the epithelium could help to discriminate between an LSIL and an HSIL with high PPV,

The life cycle of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is tightly linked to the differentiation program of the host's stratified epithelia that it infects. Viral infection induces changes in squamous differentiation, which is reflected by the pattern of cytokeratin polypeptide expression. By studying this pattern in relation with the presence of the virus, it was obtained an indication on the influence the virus has in individual cells, on the cellular differentiation. For example, E1-E4 contributes to different processes in both the early and late stages of the virus life cycle (Nakahara et al., 2005). The viral E1-E4 protein contributes to the replication of the viral genome as a nuclear plasmid in basal cells. Expression of the HPV-16 E1–E4 protein in human keratinocytes results in the total collapse of the cytokeratin matrix, but nuclear lamins and tubulin and actin networks are unaffected (Doorbar et al., 1991). On the other hand, the presence of the skin-type cytokeratins CK1 and CK10 in condylomata accuminata derived from anogenital skin (HPV 6 and HPV 11 positive) was decreased, whereas CK13 and to a lesser degree CK4 appeared increased (Mullink et al.,

HPV infection may alter the differentiation status of the epidermis leading to a major expression of K14 in the basal and suprabasal layers (like in HPV infected normal epithelium), up to the more superficial layers (like in epidermodysplasia verruciformis, EV) (Barcelos & Sotto, 2009). Comparing the morphologic distribution of cytokeratins 13 and 14 and involucrin in naturally occurring low-grade SILs and high-grade SILs infected with a variety of HPV types, Southern et al., (2001) observed that: (1) the absence of cytokeratin 14 expression is associated with high-risk HPV infection and occurs more frequently in highgrade SILs; and (2) dedifferentiation, with loss of cytokeratin 13 or involucrin expression occurs only in high-grade lesions. Also, it was noted that in most LSILs infected with lrHPVs, cytokeratin 14 expression was present in all epithelial layers, with fewer lesions; the expression confined to the basal/parabasal layers with focal loss of expression. By contrast, only in few cases (11%) of LSILs infected with hrHPVs, cytokeratin 14 expressions was present in all epithelial layers; most of these lesions showed cytokeratin 14 expression confined to the basal/parabasal layers (56%), with a number of lesions showing focal loss of expression (33%) (Southern et al 2001). Loss/reduction of cytokeratin 14 protein expression level is associated with transformation but not immortalization because in HPV16 immortalized keratinocytes downregulation of cytokeratin 14 occurred only at a transcriptional level (the protein level remaining normal) *(*Bowden et al, 1992). In

(Lorenzato et al., 2005).

1991).

**3.3 Markers of epithelial organization and differentiation** 

**Ki-67** is a nonhistone protein expressed in the nucleus during the whole cell cycle, except for the early phases of G0 and G1. It constitutes a marker for proliferating cells and was associated with severe dysplasia and cervical cancer (Sarian et al., 2006*)*. Ki-67 stains positive in the parabasal, basal and intermediate layers of condylomas, in the basal and parabasal layers of CIN; in addition, cells positive for Ki-67 staining are identified in intermediate and superficial layers of the squamous epithelium. Ki-67 expression correlates positively with histologic grade and distinguishes non-diagnostic atypia from SIL. The grade and pattern of Ki-67 expression in precursor lesions are still topics of debate (Vijayalakshmi et al., 2007*).* Even Ki-67 is not as specific as p16 for precancerous lesions, its immunohistochemical diffuse pattern is associated with a severe lesion. A lot of studies were conducted in order to establish the objective, reproducible, and reliable use of Ki-67 in the classification of dysplastic changes in cervical epithelium. Expression of Ki-67 (MIB-1) in the upper layers/superficial layers of the epithelium corroborated with more than 15% of basal cells positive for MIB-1 staining can be used to distinguish condyloma from inflammation or squamous metaplasia (Mittal and Palazzo, 1998). Ki-67 evaluation can be also a valuable adjunct in the distinction of CIN from normal or benign cervical squamoepithelial lesions (Kruse et al., 2002; Keating et al., 2001). MIB-1 expression in the basal and the upper-third layer proved useful in grading SIL with equivocal mitotic index (Popiolek et al., 2004). Immature squamous metaplasia can be MIB-1 cluster positive, but this false-positive case showed a special staining pattern, different from CIN: 1) MIB-1 staining in the nuclei is not diffuse (as in CIN) but clumped; 2) positive nuclei are somewhat less densely packed than in CIN (Kruse et al., 2002). Noteworthy is that the presence of a cluster of at least two MIB-1-positive nuclei (MIB-C) in the upper two thirds of the epithelial thickness is a highly sensitive and specific marker to discriminate between normal epithelium and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (Pirog et al., 2002). Cauterized dysplastic/condylomatous epithelium showed significantly greater expression of MIB-1 than cauterized normal epithelium, being a good marker (Mittal 1999).

Recent studies showed that two cell cycle–related proteins, minichromosome maintenance protein-2 (MCM2) and topoisomerase II-α (TOP2A) are overexpressed in cervical cancer. **Minichromosome maintenance protein 2** drives the formation of pre-replicative complexes in G1 phase; overexpression of MCM2 provides the link between oncogenic HPV infection and the molecular event of cervical dysplasia (Rihet et al, 1996). **DNA TOP IIA** is a nucleic enzyme that plays an important role in DNA replication, transcription, recombination, condensation, and segregation through interaction with the double-helix DNA (Ofner et al, 1994). **ProEx C** is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies that targets the expression of these two proteins (MCM2 and TOP II A) and its increased expression is associated with HSIL lesions. The ProExC signal is intense, diffuse and comprises the entire thickness of the epithelium in HSIL, with a variable pattern of the staining in LSIL, and is usually negative in reparative or reactive immature squamous metaplasias (Pinto et al., 2010). ProEx C positive expression seems to be more specifically associated with SIL than Ki-67 positive expression (Conesa-Zamora et al, 2009). ProExC immunostaining, when compared with p16 immunostaining, have similar specificity for CIN 2+ and higher specificity for CIN 3+ but lower sensitivity for CIN 2+ and CIN 3+ (Guo et al., 2011). Some reports suggested that ProExC can be more selective and informative for the progression of low-grade (CIN1) and moderate-grade (CIN2) lesions than Ki67 (Beccati et al., 2008).

**Ki-67** is a nonhistone protein expressed in the nucleus during the whole cell cycle, except for the early phases of G0 and G1. It constitutes a marker for proliferating cells and was associated with severe dysplasia and cervical cancer (Sarian et al., 2006*)*. Ki-67 stains positive in the parabasal, basal and intermediate layers of condylomas, in the basal and parabasal layers of CIN; in addition, cells positive for Ki-67 staining are identified in intermediate and superficial layers of the squamous epithelium. Ki-67 expression correlates positively with histologic grade and distinguishes non-diagnostic atypia from SIL. The grade and pattern of Ki-67 expression in precursor lesions are still topics of debate (Vijayalakshmi et al., 2007*).* Even Ki-67 is not as specific as p16 for precancerous lesions, its immunohistochemical diffuse pattern is associated with a severe lesion. A lot of studies were conducted in order to establish the objective, reproducible, and reliable use of Ki-67 in the classification of dysplastic changes in cervical epithelium. Expression of Ki-67 (MIB-1) in the upper layers/superficial layers of the epithelium corroborated with more than 15% of basal cells positive for MIB-1 staining can be used to distinguish condyloma from inflammation or squamous metaplasia (Mittal and Palazzo, 1998). Ki-67 evaluation can be also a valuable adjunct in the distinction of CIN from normal or benign cervical squamoepithelial lesions (Kruse et al., 2002; Keating et al., 2001). MIB-1 expression in the basal and the upper-third layer proved useful in grading SIL with equivocal mitotic index (Popiolek et al., 2004). Immature squamous metaplasia can be MIB-1 cluster positive, but this false-positive case showed a special staining pattern, different from CIN: 1) MIB-1 staining in the nuclei is not diffuse (as in CIN) but clumped; 2) positive nuclei are somewhat less densely packed than in CIN (Kruse et al., 2002). Noteworthy is that the presence of a cluster of at least two MIB-1-positive nuclei (MIB-C) in the upper two thirds of the epithelial thickness is a highly sensitive and specific marker to discriminate between normal epithelium and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (Pirog et al., 2002). Cauterized dysplastic/condylomatous epithelium showed significantly greater expression of MIB-1 than cauterized normal epithelium, being a good

Recent studies showed that two cell cycle–related proteins, minichromosome maintenance protein-2 (MCM2) and topoisomerase II-α (TOP2A) are overexpressed in cervical cancer. **Minichromosome maintenance protein 2** drives the formation of pre-replicative complexes in G1 phase; overexpression of MCM2 provides the link between oncogenic HPV infection and the molecular event of cervical dysplasia (Rihet et al, 1996). **DNA TOP IIA** is a nucleic enzyme that plays an important role in DNA replication, transcription, recombination, condensation, and segregation through interaction with the double-helix DNA (Ofner et al, 1994). **ProEx C** is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies that targets the expression of these two proteins (MCM2 and TOP II A) and its increased expression is associated with HSIL lesions. The ProExC signal is intense, diffuse and comprises the entire thickness of the epithelium in HSIL, with a variable pattern of the staining in LSIL, and is usually negative in reparative or reactive immature squamous metaplasias (Pinto et al., 2010). ProEx C positive expression seems to be more specifically associated with SIL than Ki-67 positive expression (Conesa-Zamora et al, 2009). ProExC immunostaining, when compared with p16 immunostaining, have similar specificity for CIN 2+ and higher specificity for CIN 3+ but lower sensitivity for CIN 2+ and CIN 3+ (Guo et al., 2011). Some reports suggested that ProExC can be more selective and informative for the progression of low-grade (CIN1) and

moderate-grade (CIN2) lesions than Ki67 (Beccati et al., 2008).

marker (Mittal 1999).

**ICBP90 protein** is a member of a nuclear proteins family with DNA-binding properties involved in DNA replication. ICBP90 detection, used as a proliferation marker (Hopfner R, et al, 2000), gives information only concerning the number of cells that entered the cycle without any indication on the duration of the cycle. ICBP90 like Ki67 was linked to the development of an HSIL. 97.6% of HSILs positively stained for ICBP90; thus confirms it as a useful proliferation marker (Lorenzato et al., 2005). If an hrHPV type was present, the association of a suspect DNA profile with a positive proliferation marker could predict the presence of HSIL in a very accurate way. On the other hand the association of a suspect DNA profile with the presence of ICBP90-positive cells and MIB-1 in the upper two thirds of the epithelium could help to discriminate between an LSIL and an HSIL with high PPV, (Lorenzato et al., 2005).

#### **3.3 Markers of epithelial organization and differentiation**

The life cycle of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is tightly linked to the differentiation program of the host's stratified epithelia that it infects. Viral infection induces changes in squamous differentiation, which is reflected by the pattern of cytokeratin polypeptide expression. By studying this pattern in relation with the presence of the virus, it was obtained an indication on the influence the virus has in individual cells, on the cellular differentiation. For example, E1-E4 contributes to different processes in both the early and late stages of the virus life cycle (Nakahara et al., 2005). The viral E1-E4 protein contributes to the replication of the viral genome as a nuclear plasmid in basal cells. Expression of the HPV-16 E1–E4 protein in human keratinocytes results in the total collapse of the cytokeratin matrix, but nuclear lamins and tubulin and actin networks are unaffected (Doorbar et al., 1991). On the other hand, the presence of the skin-type cytokeratins CK1 and CK10 in condylomata accuminata derived from anogenital skin (HPV 6 and HPV 11 positive) was decreased, whereas CK13 and to a lesser degree CK4 appeared increased (Mullink et al., 1991).

HPV infection may alter the differentiation status of the epidermis leading to a major expression of K14 in the basal and suprabasal layers (like in HPV infected normal epithelium), up to the more superficial layers (like in epidermodysplasia verruciformis, EV) (Barcelos & Sotto, 2009). Comparing the morphologic distribution of cytokeratins 13 and 14 and involucrin in naturally occurring low-grade SILs and high-grade SILs infected with a variety of HPV types, Southern et al., (2001) observed that: (1) the absence of cytokeratin 14 expression is associated with high-risk HPV infection and occurs more frequently in highgrade SILs; and (2) dedifferentiation, with loss of cytokeratin 13 or involucrin expression occurs only in high-grade lesions. Also, it was noted that in most LSILs infected with lrHPVs, cytokeratin 14 expression was present in all epithelial layers, with fewer lesions; the expression confined to the basal/parabasal layers with focal loss of expression. By contrast, only in few cases (11%) of LSILs infected with hrHPVs, cytokeratin 14 expressions was present in all epithelial layers; most of these lesions showed cytokeratin 14 expression confined to the basal/parabasal layers (56%), with a number of lesions showing focal loss of expression (33%) (Southern et al 2001). Loss/reduction of cytokeratin 14 protein expression level is associated with transformation but not immortalization because in HPV16 immortalized keratinocytes downregulation of cytokeratin 14 occurred only at a transcriptional level (the protein level remaining normal) *(*Bowden et al, 1992). In

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 85

**Tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2),** member of calcium dependent enzymes family (Peng et al., 1999), is a cytosolic protein that catalyzes the formation of a covalent bond between the gamma carboxamide group of peptide bound to glutamine residue and the primary amino group of a wide variety of proteins leading to their post-translation modification (Boehm et al., 2002). TG2 induce polyamination of retinoblastoma protein, protecting it from caspasemediated cleavage (Boehm et al., 2002), but also of HPV E7 disruption (the interaction of

TG2 levels in CIN1 are high, reflecting cellular response to inflammation and HPV infection and facilitating cell survival by its interaction with proteins involved in cell proliferation and cell death. In CIN2 and CIN3, the immunoreactivity for TG2 remains at moderately high levels, but typical for these cases, as compared with CIN1, it appears to be specifically expressed into nucleus. These nuclear translocations of TG2 in the highgrade CIN were associated to cell survival or anti-apoptotic phenotype, and therefore aid the progression or persistence of the CIN lesion. TG2 is a potentially useful marker for low-grade dysplasia or CIN1 lesions because there are clear differences between normal and CIN1 epithelium. On the other hand, TG2 represents one potential biomarker due to the nuclear/nucleo-cytoplasmic staining of TG2 in high-grade dysplasia (CIN2/3); that type of staining is not observed in normal cervical epithelium or generally in CIN1 lesions

Transcription factors are the principal modulators of gene expression and are involved in various processes controlling normal and transformed cell behaviour. Viral transcription is known to be positively regulated by glucocorticoid hormones via the up-stream regulatory region, which may partly explain its contributing effect to the transformation (Gloss et al, 1987; Mittal et al, 1993). However, in the complex picture of cervical cancer, hormone actions represent only one cofactor of HPV transformation. Thus, whatever the mechanism leading

Previous studies demonstrated a functional involvement of the AP1 transcription factor in HPV-induced cervical carcinogenesis. Transcriptional activation of HPV in a keratinocytespecific manner, depend on specific interaction between several nuclear factors and specific sites from LCR of certain HPV genotype. AP1 appears to be a common regulator of various HPV types expression, which act directly or through additional HPV type-specific that cooperate with AP1 to achieve full activation of virus gene expression (Butz & Hoppe-Seyler, 1993; Mack & Laimins, 1991; Kyo et al., 1995; Chan et al., 1990; Chong et al., 1991). Transcriptional regulation of HPV16 is activated also by NF1, TEF- 1, TEF-2 and Oct1 factors

In HPV productive infection, E6/E7 transcripts were found to be expressed in most cellular layers with a reduced level of expression in the differentiated cells. E6/E7 expression was shown to correlate with AP1 factors distribution, suggesting that AP1 plays a significant role in the expression of viral oncogenes in uterine cervix differentiating epithelia. Co-expression of two proliferation inductors, AP1 and E6/E7, in undifferentiated cell layers might create a positive regulatory loop, contributing to the maintenance of initial HPV infection and

subsequent activation in basal and suprabasal cellular layers (Kyo et al., 1997).

HPV E7 and pRb is a major step for cervical carcinogenesis) (Jeon et al. 2003).

**3.4 Transcription factors and cell signalling pathway** 

(Chan et al., 1990; Chong et al., 1991; Ishiji et al., 1992).

to carcinogenicity, there is a complex activation of transcription factors.

(Gupta et al., 2010).

epidermodysplasia verruciformis CK1/10 showed retarded or negative expression and ecadherin is diminished in superficial koilocytotic cells' foci, more superficially in EV. Positive staining for K16 and K4 was observed in normal HPV infected epithelium as in EV (Barcelos & Sotto, 2009).

Regauer & Reich (2007) found the following profile for the CK17: when antibodies against CK17 were used, the columnar endocervical epithelium showed no staining; basal keratinocytes in ectocervical glycogenated squamous epithelium have inconsistently, focally and weakly CK17 expression in cytoplasm; the proliferating cells of immature squamous metaplasia stain positive for CK17 in the subcolumnar reserve cells and in the proliferating basal and suprabasal cells, and negative for columnar cells; the mature metaplastic epithelium presents decreased or even lack of CK17 expression; high-grade dysplasia show concomitant staining of both CK17 and p16. They sustain a mutually exclusive immunohistochemical profile of CK17 and p16 that allows the separation of immature metaplasia with or without reactive atypia (characterized by strong, uniform CK17 staining of the proliferating cells with concomitant p16 negativity) from CIN III (characterised by strong diffuse staining of p16 in all dysplastic proliferating cells). The dual expression of CK17 and p16 in atypical squamous lesions with metaplastic features can sustain the hypothesis that CIN III alternatively may develop via HPV infection of metaplastic cells.

Considering all these aspects, we can say that in order to establish the correct diagnostic, all potential markers involved in epithelial reorganization and differentiation must be synchronic evaluated with other proliferating markers.

Plasma membrane expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a constituent of lipid rafts and regulator of cell signalling, increases by the E5 HPV16 oncoprotein through the C-terminal 10 amino acids of E5. Moreover, E5 induces a 23- to 40-fold increase in the lipid raft component, ganglioside GM1, on the cell surface and mediates a dramatic increase in caveolin-1/GM1 association, a potential mechanism for immune evasion by the papillomaviruses (Suprynowicz et al., 2008). This phenomenon is very important in productive infection, in production of viral progen. But, an inverse relationship between Cav-1 expression and transformation has been clearly established. Cav-1 levels are reduced in transformed cells and forced reexpression of Cav-1 could abrogate anchorage-independent growth in transformed cells (Williams & Lisanti, 2005). In HPV transformed cells, caveolin-1 is downregulated and its expression is reduce by E6 HPV (Razani et al, 2000). In a small percentage of cervical cancer tumors caveolin-1 silencing occurs via promoter methylation (Chan et al., 2003; Dueñas-González et al, 2005).

**E-cadherin** is a transmembrane protein with a cytoplasmic domain connected to the actin cytoskeleton through association with cytoplasmic proteins, α-, β-, and γ-catenins (Piepenhagen & Nelson, 1993; Hinck et al, 1994). E-cadherin is essential for cell-to-cell junction and for cellular adhesion, being responsible for cellular interconnection, segregation of cell types, differentiation, epithelial polarization, cell stratification, signaling, cell motility and proliferation. Loss of E-cadherin function or expression has been implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. Down-regulation of E-cadherin was closely associated with progressive CIN and cell proliferation (Branca et al., 2006a) in HPV-positive tissue but not in the HPV-negative tissue (Samir et al., 2011). E-cadherin downregulation result in an increased cellular motility and metastasis.

epidermodysplasia verruciformis CK1/10 showed retarded or negative expression and ecadherin is diminished in superficial koilocytotic cells' foci, more superficially in EV. Positive staining for K16 and K4 was observed in normal HPV infected epithelium as in EV

Regauer & Reich (2007) found the following profile for the CK17: when antibodies against CK17 were used, the columnar endocervical epithelium showed no staining; basal keratinocytes in ectocervical glycogenated squamous epithelium have inconsistently, focally and weakly CK17 expression in cytoplasm; the proliferating cells of immature squamous metaplasia stain positive for CK17 in the subcolumnar reserve cells and in the proliferating basal and suprabasal cells, and negative for columnar cells; the mature metaplastic epithelium presents decreased or even lack of CK17 expression; high-grade dysplasia show concomitant staining of both CK17 and p16. They sustain a mutually exclusive immunohistochemical profile of CK17 and p16 that allows the separation of immature metaplasia with or without reactive atypia (characterized by strong, uniform CK17 staining of the proliferating cells with concomitant p16 negativity) from CIN III (characterised by strong diffuse staining of p16 in all dysplastic proliferating cells). The dual expression of CK17 and p16 in atypical squamous lesions with metaplastic features can sustain the hypothesis that CIN III alternatively may develop via HPV infection of metaplastic cells.

Considering all these aspects, we can say that in order to establish the correct diagnostic, all potential markers involved in epithelial reorganization and differentiation must be

Plasma membrane expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a constituent of lipid rafts and regulator of cell signalling, increases by the E5 HPV16 oncoprotein through the C-terminal 10 amino acids of E5. Moreover, E5 induces a 23- to 40-fold increase in the lipid raft component, ganglioside GM1, on the cell surface and mediates a dramatic increase in caveolin-1/GM1 association, a potential mechanism for immune evasion by the papillomaviruses (Suprynowicz et al., 2008). This phenomenon is very important in productive infection, in production of viral progen. But, an inverse relationship between Cav-1 expression and transformation has been clearly established. Cav-1 levels are reduced in transformed cells and forced reexpression of Cav-1 could abrogate anchorage-independent growth in transformed cells (Williams & Lisanti, 2005). In HPV transformed cells, caveolin-1 is downregulated and its expression is reduce by E6 HPV (Razani et al, 2000). In a small percentage of cervical cancer tumors caveolin-1 silencing occurs via promoter methylation

**E-cadherin** is a transmembrane protein with a cytoplasmic domain connected to the actin cytoskeleton through association with cytoplasmic proteins, α-, β-, and γ-catenins (Piepenhagen & Nelson, 1993; Hinck et al, 1994). E-cadherin is essential for cell-to-cell junction and for cellular adhesion, being responsible for cellular interconnection, segregation of cell types, differentiation, epithelial polarization, cell stratification, signaling, cell motility and proliferation. Loss of E-cadherin function or expression has been implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. Down-regulation of E-cadherin was closely associated with progressive CIN and cell proliferation (Branca et al., 2006a) in HPV-positive tissue but not in the HPV-negative tissue (Samir et al., 2011). E-cadherin downregulation result in an

synchronic evaluated with other proliferating markers.

(Chan et al., 2003; Dueñas-González et al, 2005).

increased cellular motility and metastasis.

(Barcelos & Sotto, 2009).

**Tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2),** member of calcium dependent enzymes family (Peng et al., 1999), is a cytosolic protein that catalyzes the formation of a covalent bond between the gamma carboxamide group of peptide bound to glutamine residue and the primary amino group of a wide variety of proteins leading to their post-translation modification (Boehm et al., 2002). TG2 induce polyamination of retinoblastoma protein, protecting it from caspasemediated cleavage (Boehm et al., 2002), but also of HPV E7 disruption (the interaction of HPV E7 and pRb is a major step for cervical carcinogenesis) (Jeon et al. 2003).

TG2 levels in CIN1 are high, reflecting cellular response to inflammation and HPV infection and facilitating cell survival by its interaction with proteins involved in cell proliferation and cell death. In CIN2 and CIN3, the immunoreactivity for TG2 remains at moderately high levels, but typical for these cases, as compared with CIN1, it appears to be specifically expressed into nucleus. These nuclear translocations of TG2 in the highgrade CIN were associated to cell survival or anti-apoptotic phenotype, and therefore aid the progression or persistence of the CIN lesion. TG2 is a potentially useful marker for low-grade dysplasia or CIN1 lesions because there are clear differences between normal and CIN1 epithelium. On the other hand, TG2 represents one potential biomarker due to the nuclear/nucleo-cytoplasmic staining of TG2 in high-grade dysplasia (CIN2/3); that type of staining is not observed in normal cervical epithelium or generally in CIN1 lesions (Gupta et al., 2010).

#### **3.4 Transcription factors and cell signalling pathway**

Transcription factors are the principal modulators of gene expression and are involved in various processes controlling normal and transformed cell behaviour. Viral transcription is known to be positively regulated by glucocorticoid hormones via the up-stream regulatory region, which may partly explain its contributing effect to the transformation (Gloss et al, 1987; Mittal et al, 1993). However, in the complex picture of cervical cancer, hormone actions represent only one cofactor of HPV transformation. Thus, whatever the mechanism leading to carcinogenicity, there is a complex activation of transcription factors.

Previous studies demonstrated a functional involvement of the AP1 transcription factor in HPV-induced cervical carcinogenesis. Transcriptional activation of HPV in a keratinocytespecific manner, depend on specific interaction between several nuclear factors and specific sites from LCR of certain HPV genotype. AP1 appears to be a common regulator of various HPV types expression, which act directly or through additional HPV type-specific that cooperate with AP1 to achieve full activation of virus gene expression (Butz & Hoppe-Seyler, 1993; Mack & Laimins, 1991; Kyo et al., 1995; Chan et al., 1990; Chong et al., 1991). Transcriptional regulation of HPV16 is activated also by NF1, TEF- 1, TEF-2 and Oct1 factors (Chan et al., 1990; Chong et al., 1991; Ishiji et al., 1992).

In HPV productive infection, E6/E7 transcripts were found to be expressed in most cellular layers with a reduced level of expression in the differentiated cells. E6/E7 expression was shown to correlate with AP1 factors distribution, suggesting that AP1 plays a significant role in the expression of viral oncogenes in uterine cervix differentiating epithelia. Co-expression of two proliferation inductors, AP1 and E6/E7, in undifferentiated cell layers might create a positive regulatory loop, contributing to the maintenance of initial HPV infection and subsequent activation in basal and suprabasal cellular layers (Kyo et al., 1997).

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 87

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is initiated by two types of biological signals: (1) extrinsic - the specific ligands activate their receptors (Fas-Fas ligand interaction) and (2) intrinsic – mitochondrial pathway used in response to non-specific stimuli (such as alteration of DNA, radiation and osmotic stress), leading to release of cytochrome c. Both

In HPV infected cells, inhibition of apoptosis may be a mechanism to promote viral persistence (Kanodia, 2007). HPVs exhibit several mechanisms for overcome the apoptotic program. E6 binding to p53 stimulates p53 degradation thus preventing p53-dependent apoptosis of infected cells. On the other hand, it suppresses FasL E5 mediated apoptosis and

**Fas (APO-1/CD95)** system regulates diverse physiological and pathological mechanisms for apoptosis. Interaction between Fas ligand and Fas receptor induces cell death, mechanism that could help to destroy HPV-infected keratinocytes. Facilitated cellular proliferation (Das et al., 2000), through reduced Fas mediated apoptosis has been described in cervical carcinogenesis by immunohistochemistry (Reesink-Peters et al., 2005) and polymerase chain reaction (Das et al., 2000). On the other hand, the paracrine overproduction of Fas-L could facilitate tumour progression by inducing apoptosis of the immune cells usually expressing Fas in their membrane, such as CD8 and natural-killer cells. During HPV induced cervical carcinogenesis two Fas-related mechanisms may be taken into consideration: (a) suppression of apoptosis in infected keratinocytes by downregulation of Fas-R expression; and (b) active immunosuppression by Fas-L overproduction by tumor cells (Das et al., 2000; Griffith et al., 1995). Granular cytoplasmic and membranous Fas-R stains are identified by immunohistochemistry in the normal cervix, and their loss has been reported in approximately 50% of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and SCC (Jones & Munger, 1996; Lerma et al., 2008). Fas-R expression by tumor cells seems to be unrelated to the stage or quantity of the lymphoid infiltrate and it is a constitutive event independent of tumor progression (Lerma et al., 2008). Fas-L immunostaining in tumor cells is directly correlated with the tumor stages: 36.4% in stage I, 50% in stage II, and 75% in stage III, and inversely correlated with the presence of a florid lymphoid infiltrate. This suggest that Fas-L production by tumor cells results in decreased lymphoid cell reaction and might be a defence mechanism of the tumor against

**Bcl2 protein** is localized in the mitochondrial membrane, the endoplasmic reticulum and in the nucleus. Bcl2 is an oncoprotein blocking cell apoptosis that can be induced by the absence of growth factors, alterations in DNA, viral infection, lymphokines action, cytostatic drug or radiation therapy. Its overexpression permits the malignant transformation of the

The prognostic value in predicting lesion progression is disputed. Guimarães et al., (2005) found by immunohistochemical techniques that expression of Bcl2 in HPV-infected cervical biopsies is not useful for predicting the progression of HPV-related SIL. On the other hand, Singh et al., (2009) noted cytoplasmic expression of Bcl2 protein in cervical dysplasia, a various intensity of immunoreactivity between different cytological grades of cervical

**3.5 Apoptotic markers** 

paths lead to the activation of caspase 3.

host's immunity (Lerma et al., 2008).

cells and extends the survival potential of malignant cells.

smears and an association with the presence of HPV16/HPV18.

is associated with reduction to half of the Fas expression.

Aiming to obtain information about alterations in the expression of AP1 family members, de Wilde et al. (2008) found that, starting from immortal stages, c-Fos, Fra-2 and JunB expression became up regulated towards tumorigenicity while Fra-1, c-Jun, Notch1, Net and CADM1 became down regulated. They established that if the onset of deregulated expression of various AP1 family members became already manifest during the immortal state, a shift in AP1 complex composition appeared as a late event associated with tumorigenicity (de Wilde et al., 2008).

**Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB)** is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor, which has an important role in intracellular regulation of immune response, inflammation, and cell cycle regulation (Nair et al., 2003; Niederberger & Geisslinger, 2010; Hayden & Ghosh, 2011). NF-κB is one of the targets through which HPVs could interfere with the transcriptional control in cervical carcinogenesis (Spitkovsky et al., 2002; Fontaine et al., 2000). The oncogenic HPVs action on NF-kB through several ways: 1) there is a functional NF-kB binding site within the HPV16 LCR (long control region), at position 7554–7563, acting as an effective repressor of HPV transcription (Fontaine et al., 2000); 2) involvement of viral oncogene: hrHPV E7 inhibits NF-kB activation and nuclear translocation and prevents its binding to the responsive DNA elements, e.g. the LCR of hrHPV. On the other hand, hrHPV E6 inhibits NF-kB (p65)-dependent transcriptional activity within the nucleus, thus further contributing to the escape of hrHPV from the transcriptional control of NF-kB (Spitkovsky et al., 2002; Nees et al., 2001). Thus, NF-kB is one of the targets through which these HPVs could interfere with the transcriptional control in cervical carcinogenesis.

Using immunohistochemistry it was demonstrated that NF-kB is constitutively activated in high-grade CIN (Nair et al., 2003). In term of stain pattern, the intensity of cytoplasmic NFkB expression increased along with the increasing grade of CIN, being most frequent in invasive carcinomas. There was no detectable nuclear NF-kB expression in the normal cervix or CIN1 and CIN2 lesions; an intense nuclear expression appears very rare, even in CIN3 and cervical cancer and is related to hrHPV (Branca et al., 2006b). Like biomarker, increased/normal cytoplasmic NF-kB expression can distinguish CIN with high specificity, but low sensitivity. On the other hand, the nuclear expression suffers from lower sensitivity. Studies accomplished by Branca et al, (2006b) clearly demonstrated that neither cytoplasmic nor nuclear NF-kB staining is a significant predictor of the clearance/persistence of hrHPV types after treatment of CIN.

**The ERK/MAPK cascade** has been reported to be activated in cervical cancer cell lines both by hrHPV and by some low-risk HPV types. In normal squamous epithelium of the cervix as well as in metaplastic squamous cells, Branca et al (2004) found weak cytoplasmic ERK1 expression confined mostly to the parabasal layers. Intranuclear staining is detected in CIN lesions that increase in both intensity and extent towards higher grade CIN lesions.

ERK1 expression showed poor specificity for predicting hrHPV, and do not have a practical value as a predictor of hrHPV in cervical cancer and its precursors. Although E5 HPV seems to mediate overexpression and activation of the ERK/MAPK signalling cascade, multiple other mechanisms that mediate the activation of ERK/MAPK pathways might be involved. Despite the fact that ERK1 expression seems to be an early marker of cervical carcinogenesis, it is not a specific marker of hrHPV in CIN and cervical cancer, and does not predict disease outcome in the latter.

#### **3.5 Apoptotic markers**

86 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Aiming to obtain information about alterations in the expression of AP1 family members, de Wilde et al. (2008) found that, starting from immortal stages, c-Fos, Fra-2 and JunB expression became up regulated towards tumorigenicity while Fra-1, c-Jun, Notch1, Net and CADM1 became down regulated. They established that if the onset of deregulated expression of various AP1 family members became already manifest during the immortal state, a shift in AP1 complex composition appeared as a late event associated with

**Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB)** is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor, which has an important role in intracellular regulation of immune response, inflammation, and cell cycle regulation (Nair et al., 2003; Niederberger & Geisslinger, 2010; Hayden & Ghosh, 2011). NF-κB is one of the targets through which HPVs could interfere with the transcriptional control in cervical carcinogenesis (Spitkovsky et al., 2002; Fontaine et al., 2000). The oncogenic HPVs action on NF-kB through several ways: 1) there is a functional NF-kB binding site within the HPV16 LCR (long control region), at position 7554–7563, acting as an effective repressor of HPV transcription (Fontaine et al., 2000); 2) involvement of viral oncogene: hrHPV E7 inhibits NF-kB activation and nuclear translocation and prevents its binding to the responsive DNA elements, e.g. the LCR of hrHPV. On the other hand, hrHPV E6 inhibits NF-kB (p65)-dependent transcriptional activity within the nucleus, thus further contributing to the escape of hrHPV from the transcriptional control of NF-kB (Spitkovsky et al., 2002; Nees et al., 2001). Thus, NF-kB is one of the targets through which

these HPVs could interfere with the transcriptional control in cervical carcinogenesis.

Using immunohistochemistry it was demonstrated that NF-kB is constitutively activated in high-grade CIN (Nair et al., 2003). In term of stain pattern, the intensity of cytoplasmic NFkB expression increased along with the increasing grade of CIN, being most frequent in invasive carcinomas. There was no detectable nuclear NF-kB expression in the normal cervix or CIN1 and CIN2 lesions; an intense nuclear expression appears very rare, even in CIN3 and cervical cancer and is related to hrHPV (Branca et al., 2006b). Like biomarker, increased/normal cytoplasmic NF-kB expression can distinguish CIN with high specificity, but low sensitivity. On the other hand, the nuclear expression suffers from lower sensitivity. Studies accomplished by Branca et al, (2006b) clearly demonstrated that neither cytoplasmic nor nuclear NF-kB staining is a significant predictor of the clearance/persistence of hrHPV

**The ERK/MAPK cascade** has been reported to be activated in cervical cancer cell lines both by hrHPV and by some low-risk HPV types. In normal squamous epithelium of the cervix as well as in metaplastic squamous cells, Branca et al (2004) found weak cytoplasmic ERK1 expression confined mostly to the parabasal layers. Intranuclear staining is detected in CIN

ERK1 expression showed poor specificity for predicting hrHPV, and do not have a practical value as a predictor of hrHPV in cervical cancer and its precursors. Although E5 HPV seems to mediate overexpression and activation of the ERK/MAPK signalling cascade, multiple other mechanisms that mediate the activation of ERK/MAPK pathways might be involved. Despite the fact that ERK1 expression seems to be an early marker of cervical carcinogenesis, it is not a specific marker of hrHPV in CIN and cervical cancer, and does not predict disease

lesions that increase in both intensity and extent towards higher grade CIN lesions.

tumorigenicity (de Wilde et al., 2008).

types after treatment of CIN.

outcome in the latter.

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is initiated by two types of biological signals: (1) extrinsic - the specific ligands activate their receptors (Fas-Fas ligand interaction) and (2) intrinsic – mitochondrial pathway used in response to non-specific stimuli (such as alteration of DNA, radiation and osmotic stress), leading to release of cytochrome c. Both paths lead to the activation of caspase 3.

In HPV infected cells, inhibition of apoptosis may be a mechanism to promote viral persistence (Kanodia, 2007). HPVs exhibit several mechanisms for overcome the apoptotic program. E6 binding to p53 stimulates p53 degradation thus preventing p53-dependent apoptosis of infected cells. On the other hand, it suppresses FasL E5 mediated apoptosis and is associated with reduction to half of the Fas expression.

**Fas (APO-1/CD95)** system regulates diverse physiological and pathological mechanisms for apoptosis. Interaction between Fas ligand and Fas receptor induces cell death, mechanism that could help to destroy HPV-infected keratinocytes. Facilitated cellular proliferation (Das et al., 2000), through reduced Fas mediated apoptosis has been described in cervical carcinogenesis by immunohistochemistry (Reesink-Peters et al., 2005) and polymerase chain reaction (Das et al., 2000). On the other hand, the paracrine overproduction of Fas-L could facilitate tumour progression by inducing apoptosis of the immune cells usually expressing Fas in their membrane, such as CD8 and natural-killer cells. During HPV induced cervical carcinogenesis two Fas-related mechanisms may be taken into consideration: (a) suppression of apoptosis in infected keratinocytes by downregulation of Fas-R expression; and (b) active immunosuppression by Fas-L overproduction by tumor cells (Das et al., 2000; Griffith et al., 1995). Granular cytoplasmic and membranous Fas-R stains are identified by immunohistochemistry in the normal cervix, and their loss has been reported in approximately 50% of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and SCC (Jones & Munger, 1996; Lerma et al., 2008). Fas-R expression by tumor cells seems to be unrelated to the stage or quantity of the lymphoid infiltrate and it is a constitutive event independent of tumor progression (Lerma et al., 2008). Fas-L immunostaining in tumor cells is directly correlated with the tumor stages: 36.4% in stage I, 50% in stage II, and 75% in stage III, and inversely correlated with the presence of a florid lymphoid infiltrate. This suggest that Fas-L production by tumor cells results in decreased lymphoid cell reaction and might be a defence mechanism of the tumor against host's immunity (Lerma et al., 2008).

**Bcl2 protein** is localized in the mitochondrial membrane, the endoplasmic reticulum and in the nucleus. Bcl2 is an oncoprotein blocking cell apoptosis that can be induced by the absence of growth factors, alterations in DNA, viral infection, lymphokines action, cytostatic drug or radiation therapy. Its overexpression permits the malignant transformation of the cells and extends the survival potential of malignant cells.

The prognostic value in predicting lesion progression is disputed. Guimarães et al., (2005) found by immunohistochemical techniques that expression of Bcl2 in HPV-infected cervical biopsies is not useful for predicting the progression of HPV-related SIL. On the other hand, Singh et al., (2009) noted cytoplasmic expression of Bcl2 protein in cervical dysplasia, a various intensity of immunoreactivity between different cytological grades of cervical smears and an association with the presence of HPV16/HPV18.

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 89

of cervical mucosa. Immunohystochemical studies on biopsy specimens have shown that normal epithelium is completely negative for hTERT or presents a profile scoring positive cells in parabasal layer. More positive cells were observed in the squamous metaplasia epithelium and sometimes in suprabasal metaplasia proliferating cells. Positive immunostaining was nuclear and limited to a few cells and stromal immunoreactivity was strictly associated to lymphocytes having constitutive hTERT expression. CIN lesions and cancer present a different pattern: hTERT-positive nuclei are present in all the layers of epithelium, but occasional cytoplasm expression can appear (Branca et al., 2006c). Paradoxically, there was a decrease in the nuclear staining intensity of hTERT in squamous cell carcinomas (Frost et al., 2000; Yan et al., 2004) with an increase in cytoplasm staining (Jarboe et al., 2002). Disturbance of the normal translocation mechanisms of hTERT to the nucleus, associated with cervical mucosa malignant transformation may be responsible for these differences in the expression pattern. Although it has been demonstrated that the loss of hTERT immunostaining may be associated with the deregulation of normal translocation mechanisms of hTERT to the nucleus, some authors suggest another mechanism involved in a reduced hTERT expression in human cancers: inactivation at the transcription level (Bleotu et al, 2010). The heterogeneity of both sensitivity and specificity in telomerase detection seen between different studies is due to: sample size (smear/lavage versus cervical biopsy), contamination with blood or necrotic cells (including telomerase inhibitors, which can lead to false-negative results) (Wang et al., 2004) or haemoglobin (a powerful inhibitor of PCR reaction). False positive results in strong inflammatory reactions may occur due to

More recently, some **epigenetic modifications** were associated with cervix HPV infection. Modifications encompass three types of changes: chromatin modifications, DNA

Generally, HPV infections are followed by epigenetic changes such as methylation of viral genes or host genome. The pattern of HPV genes methylation varies depeding with the viral life cycle, the presence of disease and possibly the viral type. The *de novo* methylation of HPV DNA could be a host defence mechanism or a strategy that the virus uses to maintain a long-term infection, or both. Aberrant methylation of CpG islands in the promoter regions of tumour suppressor genes (TSG) is one of several epigenetic changes which contribute to carcinogenesis (Kumar & Verma, 2006). Viral oncogenes can induce tumor suppressor gene methylation following activation of DNA methyltransferases. For some genes, the prevalence of methylated forms increases with disease severity; for others, methylated forms are only detected in women with invasive disease. In a recent paper, aberrant DNA methylation was found as an early event in carcinogenesis and as an additional molecular marker for the early diagnosis. Among all studied genes, three were found as potential biomarkers of cervical cancer risk (hypermethylation of CDH13, DAPK1 and TWIST1

Aberrant methylation of the p16 gene occurs early within tumor cell populations. p16 is more frequently methylated in advanced tumors (Wong et al., 1999) thus suggesting that its reactivation could have therapeutic value. In a study performed on 62 cases of squamous cell carcinomas, Cheung et al showed that promoter methylation of PTEN was found in 58% of patients with persistent disease while those who died of the disease had a significantly higher percentage of PTEN methylation. Thus, PTEN was considered an important

methylation and genomic imprinting, each of which is altered in cancer cell.

inflammatory infiltration.

promoters) (Missaoui et al., 2011).

Follow-up data revealed that cases with high-risk HPV and co-induced expression of apoptosis-regulatory proteins presented a trend to progressive disease (Sing et al., 2009). These data confirm the observations of Fonseca-Moutinho et al., (2004), that Bcl2 is an independent factor in defining low risk of progression for CIN 3 and co-expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and Bcl2 may be a useful tool in identifying the CIN 3 lesions with low risk of progression toward cervical cancer. Bcl2 has a more important value in cancer, the ratio of Bcl2 to Bax expression determining the survival or the death following an apoptotic stimulus. In order to establish a new predictor of the outcome of radiotherapy for human cervical carcinoma, Harima et al., (1998) established that the increased Bcl2 expression after radiotherapy is correlated with poor survival, while increased Bax expression after radiotherapy is correlated with good survival; these findings suggest that the levels of Bax and Bcl2 expression after radiotherapy are useful prognostic markers in patients with human cervical carcinoma (Harima et al., 1998). Some studies confirm that evaluation of Bax and Bcl2 expressions provide independent prognostic information for the clinical course of the disease and therefore could be developed as prognostic indicators for cervical cancer: Bax expression was associated with good survival while Bcl2expression was associated with poor survival, and combination of Bcl2+/Bax+ was significantly associated with poorer disease free survival (Wootipoom et al., 2004).

#### **3.6 Markers of chromosomal stability**

Cells that escape from senescence by gene inactivation continue to divide and suffer telomeres loss reaching the second proliferative block, stage 2 of mortality (M2); this is characterized by massive cell death caused by critical shortness of telomeres and telomeres dysfunction. The telomerase is a RNA-dependent DNA-polymerase that synthesizes telomeres DNA and provides molecular bases for unlimited proliferative potential. Telomerase activity is absent in most normal somatic cells but present in more than 90% of tumor cells and immortalized cells *in vitro* (Kim et al., 1994). Regarding cervical neoplasia, it is not clear whether telomerase is activated during the progression of this disease or whether HPV16 infection activates directly telomerase *in vivo*. Most studies on cervical tissue or cervical swabs indicate telomerase activation only after progression to intraepithelial lesion (Nowak, 2000). Taken together, *in vitro* and *in vivo* studies suggest that infection with HPV16 and the concomitant expression of E6 is associated with telomerase activation. Cervical lesions containing hrHPV in early stages does not present telomerase activity or present it at low levels (Nowak, 2000). Some results show that telomerase activity appears only when E6 is expressed at elevated levels. The hTERT expression (telomerase catalytic subunit) is in agreement with E6 hrHPV role in telomerase activation, but this association lost its significance due to strong association between hTERT and stage of intraepithelial lesion. One feasible explanation may be done by the recent experiments concerning the E6/ E7 dynamics and telomerase expression along with the progressive grades (Peitsaro et al., 2004). The initially high levels of E6 decrease dramatically, while hTERT mRNA expression and telomerase activity increase by 10 and respectively 4 fold. This means that the telomerase activation by E6 HPV is an early event and selection of clones with increased telomerase activity will lead to tumor progression and this intimate association with gradual lesions hides hTERT association with E6 hrHPV. Taking into account that HPV infections have been associated with cervical cancer, telomerase activity may be a central mechanism by which HPV infections can lead to malignant transformation

Follow-up data revealed that cases with high-risk HPV and co-induced expression of apoptosis-regulatory proteins presented a trend to progressive disease (Sing et al., 2009). These data confirm the observations of Fonseca-Moutinho et al., (2004), that Bcl2 is an independent factor in defining low risk of progression for CIN 3 and co-expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and Bcl2 may be a useful tool in identifying the CIN 3 lesions with low risk of progression toward cervical cancer. Bcl2 has a more important value in cancer, the ratio of Bcl2 to Bax expression determining the survival or the death following an apoptotic stimulus. In order to establish a new predictor of the outcome of radiotherapy for human cervical carcinoma, Harima et al., (1998) established that the increased Bcl2 expression after radiotherapy is correlated with poor survival, while increased Bax expression after radiotherapy is correlated with good survival; these findings suggest that the levels of Bax and Bcl2 expression after radiotherapy are useful prognostic markers in patients with human cervical carcinoma (Harima et al., 1998). Some studies confirm that evaluation of Bax and Bcl2 expressions provide independent prognostic information for the clinical course of the disease and therefore could be developed as prognostic indicators for cervical cancer: Bax expression was associated with good survival while Bcl2expression was associated with poor survival, and combination of Bcl2+/Bax+ was significantly associated with poorer disease free survival (Wootipoom et al., 2004).

Cells that escape from senescence by gene inactivation continue to divide and suffer telomeres loss reaching the second proliferative block, stage 2 of mortality (M2); this is characterized by massive cell death caused by critical shortness of telomeres and telomeres dysfunction. The telomerase is a RNA-dependent DNA-polymerase that synthesizes telomeres DNA and provides molecular bases for unlimited proliferative potential. Telomerase activity is absent in most normal somatic cells but present in more than 90% of tumor cells and immortalized cells *in vitro* (Kim et al., 1994). Regarding cervical neoplasia, it is not clear whether telomerase is activated during the progression of this disease or whether HPV16 infection activates directly telomerase *in vivo*. Most studies on cervical tissue or cervical swabs indicate telomerase activation only after progression to intraepithelial lesion (Nowak, 2000). Taken together, *in vitro* and *in vivo* studies suggest that infection with HPV16 and the concomitant expression of E6 is associated with telomerase activation. Cervical lesions containing hrHPV in early stages does not present telomerase activity or present it at low levels (Nowak, 2000). Some results show that telomerase activity appears only when E6 is expressed at elevated levels. The hTERT expression (telomerase catalytic subunit) is in agreement with E6 hrHPV role in telomerase activation, but this association lost its significance due to strong association between hTERT and stage of intraepithelial lesion. One feasible explanation may be done by the recent experiments concerning the E6/ E7 dynamics and telomerase expression along with the progressive grades (Peitsaro et al., 2004). The initially high levels of E6 decrease dramatically, while hTERT mRNA expression and telomerase activity increase by 10 and respectively 4 fold. This means that the telomerase activation by E6 HPV is an early event and selection of clones with increased telomerase activity will lead to tumor progression and this intimate association with gradual lesions hides hTERT association with E6 hrHPV. Taking into account that HPV infections have been associated with cervical cancer, telomerase activity may be a central mechanism by which HPV infections can lead to malignant transformation

**3.6 Markers of chromosomal stability** 

of cervical mucosa. Immunohystochemical studies on biopsy specimens have shown that normal epithelium is completely negative for hTERT or presents a profile scoring positive cells in parabasal layer. More positive cells were observed in the squamous metaplasia epithelium and sometimes in suprabasal metaplasia proliferating cells. Positive immunostaining was nuclear and limited to a few cells and stromal immunoreactivity was strictly associated to lymphocytes having constitutive hTERT expression. CIN lesions and cancer present a different pattern: hTERT-positive nuclei are present in all the layers of epithelium, but occasional cytoplasm expression can appear (Branca et al., 2006c). Paradoxically, there was a decrease in the nuclear staining intensity of hTERT in squamous cell carcinomas (Frost et al., 2000; Yan et al., 2004) with an increase in cytoplasm staining (Jarboe et al., 2002). Disturbance of the normal translocation mechanisms of hTERT to the nucleus, associated with cervical mucosa malignant transformation may be responsible for these differences in the expression pattern. Although it has been demonstrated that the loss of hTERT immunostaining may be associated with the deregulation of normal translocation mechanisms of hTERT to the nucleus, some authors suggest another mechanism involved in a reduced hTERT expression in human cancers: inactivation at the transcription level (Bleotu et al, 2010). The heterogeneity of both sensitivity and specificity in telomerase detection seen between different studies is due to: sample size (smear/lavage versus cervical biopsy), contamination with blood or necrotic cells (including telomerase inhibitors, which can lead to false-negative results) (Wang et al., 2004) or haemoglobin (a powerful inhibitor of PCR reaction). False positive results in strong inflammatory reactions may occur due to inflammatory infiltration.

More recently, some **epigenetic modifications** were associated with cervix HPV infection. Modifications encompass three types of changes: chromatin modifications, DNA methylation and genomic imprinting, each of which is altered in cancer cell.

Generally, HPV infections are followed by epigenetic changes such as methylation of viral genes or host genome. The pattern of HPV genes methylation varies depeding with the viral life cycle, the presence of disease and possibly the viral type. The *de novo* methylation of HPV DNA could be a host defence mechanism or a strategy that the virus uses to maintain a long-term infection, or both. Aberrant methylation of CpG islands in the promoter regions of tumour suppressor genes (TSG) is one of several epigenetic changes which contribute to carcinogenesis (Kumar & Verma, 2006). Viral oncogenes can induce tumor suppressor gene methylation following activation of DNA methyltransferases. For some genes, the prevalence of methylated forms increases with disease severity; for others, methylated forms are only detected in women with invasive disease. In a recent paper, aberrant DNA methylation was found as an early event in carcinogenesis and as an additional molecular marker for the early diagnosis. Among all studied genes, three were found as potential biomarkers of cervical cancer risk (hypermethylation of CDH13, DAPK1 and TWIST1 promoters) (Missaoui et al., 2011).

Aberrant methylation of the p16 gene occurs early within tumor cell populations. p16 is more frequently methylated in advanced tumors (Wong et al., 1999) thus suggesting that its reactivation could have therapeutic value. In a study performed on 62 cases of squamous cell carcinomas, Cheung et al showed that promoter methylation of PTEN was found in 58% of patients with persistent disease while those who died of the disease had a significantly higher percentage of PTEN methylation. Thus, PTEN was considered an important

The Indicators of Predicting Disease Outcome in HPV Carcinogenesis 91

of cytokines and chemokine profile; (7) distortion of adhesion molecules; (8) modulation of

Several studies have analyzed immunohistochemically different sub-types of immune cells in tumor tissue biopsies (TCD4, TCD8, TCD3, BCD20, CD45, CD57, CD68, etc.). The immune response to cervical neoplasia varies with the extension of the disease. In SIL, typically associated with persistent HPV infection and high viral load, the lymphocyte subpopulations percentages estimated by image analysis were 41% for CD4, 45% for CD8, 7% for CD20, and 7% for CD56 (Kobayashi et al. 2004). Most researchers revealed the essential role intra-and peri-tumor cells play in the favourable development of cervical cancer, suggesting that certain survival predictors in cervical cancer relapse may be involved (Nedergaard et al., 2007, 2008). Such predictors are: inflammatory infiltrate (role in promoting long-term survival), low CD3 (role in predicting relapse), high CD8 cell density (involved in cervical cancer favourable prognosis) and low CD4 cell (involved in advanced stages of disease) (Nedergaard et al., 2007, 2008; Bell et al., 1995; Bethwaite et al., 1996; Chao

Cytokine profile distortion leads to inappropriate immune response, which may have immunosuppressive effects (failure to eliminate infection in host). HPV infections are focal and detection of systemic cytokine serum levels are not associated with the clearance or

Evaluation of cytokines may predict high-risk HPV clearance or persistence in untreated patients with mild dysplasia or less. Among HPV-infected women, IFN-gamma is significantly associated with E6, E7 HPV16 and high-risk HPV viral load in the uterine cervix. Thus, increased intralesional IFN-gamma may be considered a prognostic marker for oncogenic potential of high-risk HPV (Song et al., 2007). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IFN-gamma-positive results were significantly associated with clearance of high-risk HPV after 12 months of follow-up, suggesting that intralesional IFNgamma may be a prognostic marker for clearance of high-risk HPV (Song et al., 2008).

Most studies regarding cytokine profiles in HPV associated cancers indicate that Th2 cytokines correlate with progression toward invasive tumors (Bais et al., 2005). So, cervical tumors infiltrating lymphocytes have predominantly Th2/Tc2 polarity and regional lymph nodes seem to have a high proportion of T cells. However, this is due to the tumor rather than to the mechanisms of circumvention used by HPV. Comparing the cytokine profiles in cervical secretions of normal cervicitis, presenting or not HPV DNA, it were described high levels of IL-10 in HPV + samples (Azar et al., 2004). The early increase of IL-10 in cervical lesions can induce the inhibition of immune response against HPV infection. These data suggest that the cytokine profile distortion to an immunosuppressive profile can be induced by HPV and can cause the development of cancerous lesions (Kanodia et al., 2007). Several cytokines have been shown to reduce HPV transcription; this repression involves TGF-β, interleukin 1 and TNF-α (H. zur Hausen, 2002). TNF-α repression is lost during malignant

HPV associated cancer still remains a cause of death in women. Epidemiological studies and laboratory data confirmed that persistent infections with high risk human papillomaviruses

adhesion molecules; (9) prevention of apoptosis; (10) inhibition of APC migration.

et al., 1999).

conversion.

**4. Conclusions** 

persistence of HPV infection (Hong et al., 2010).

significant predictor for both total and disease-free survival after controlling age, pathologic grade and clinical stage (Cheung et al., 2004). Another studied gene was E-cadherin which methylation frequency in cervical cancer varies between 28 and 80.5% (Widschwendter et al., 2004a). It appears that E cadherin methylation have prognostic significance, cases with no promoter methylation having a better outcome in univariate and multivariate analyses. New studies are focused on identification of the methylation status of several genes present in the serum or plasma of patients with cervical cancer with regard to their prognostic significance.

In a study on 93 serum samples using the methyLight technique MYOD1 promoter methylation was strongly associated with shorter, disease-free and overall survival (Widschwendter et al., 2004b). Data suggesting that methylation of gene promoters in patients with cervical cancer is a common phenomenon have been reported. Strong correspondence between DAPK, p16, and MGMT genes methylation in serum and in primary tumors was noted thus allowing the discovery of a potential biomarker in sera. It has been found that parallel testing of HPV and PAX1 methylation in cervical swabs confers an improved sensitivity than HPV testing alone (80% vs. 66%) without compromising specificity (63% vs. 64%) for HSIL/SCC (Yang et al., 2003; Lai et al., 2008). When PAX1 methylation marker is tested alone, the specificity for HSIL/SCC is 99%. These data encourage further studies to identify a set of methylated genes that would have prognostic significance as surrogate markers.

Although the causal relationship between hrHPV infection and cervical cancer is demonstrated, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to induce the malignant transformation. Other genetic alterations, such as miRNAs, are required. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ~22 nt single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that generally negatively regulate their target mRNAs at a posttranscriptional level. The different expression of miRNAs in cervical cancer cells or tissues as compared with normal controls has been reported, and candidate miRNAs functioning as oncogenes (including miR-21, miR-127, miR-146a, miR-199a) and tumor suppressors (including miR-34a, miR-143, miR-145, miR-200a, miR-218) in cervical cancer carcinogenesis have been suggested (Lee et al., 2011 ). Using TaqMan MicroRNA Arrays, McBee and colab (McBee, et al, 2011) found that 18 miRNAs were overexpressed and 2 underexpressed (miRs-218 and 433). Only five miRNAs (miR-21, miR-135b, miR- 223, and miR-301b) may have the potential to be used as markers for progression from dysplasia toward invasive cervical disease. Some miRNAs might be down regulated in cervical HPV infection through methylation (Botezatu et al., 2011).

#### **3.7 Markers of immune recognition**

HPV presents some features that allow a specific immune behaviour: bypass the immune response, persist in the lower genital tract, induce and promote the progression of cervical cancer. These characteristics are related to (i) preferential localization of intraepithelial HPV infection, (ii) the absence of viral infection on the impact keratinocytes, (iii) the ability of HPV to interfere with innate immunity, and (iv) the expression of late proteins antigens responsible for generating antibody response. The virus uses some mechanisms to evade immune system: (1) it maintain slow infection levels so that only a low amount of virus is exposed to the immune system; (2) it exploits the redundancy of genetic code; (3) it mimics host proteins; (4) it modulates the antigen presentation; (5) interfere with IFN; (6) inhibition

significant predictor for both total and disease-free survival after controlling age, pathologic grade and clinical stage (Cheung et al., 2004). Another studied gene was E-cadherin which methylation frequency in cervical cancer varies between 28 and 80.5% (Widschwendter et al., 2004a). It appears that E cadherin methylation have prognostic significance, cases with no promoter methylation having a better outcome in univariate and multivariate analyses. New studies are focused on identification of the methylation status of several genes present in the serum or plasma of patients with cervical cancer with regard to their prognostic

In a study on 93 serum samples using the methyLight technique MYOD1 promoter methylation was strongly associated with shorter, disease-free and overall survival (Widschwendter et al., 2004b). Data suggesting that methylation of gene promoters in patients with cervical cancer is a common phenomenon have been reported. Strong correspondence between DAPK, p16, and MGMT genes methylation in serum and in primary tumors was noted thus allowing the discovery of a potential biomarker in sera. It has been found that parallel testing of HPV and PAX1 methylation in cervical swabs confers an improved sensitivity than HPV testing alone (80% vs. 66%) without compromising specificity (63% vs. 64%) for HSIL/SCC (Yang et al., 2003; Lai et al., 2008). When PAX1 methylation marker is tested alone, the specificity for HSIL/SCC is 99%. These data encourage further studies to identify a set of methylated genes that would have prognostic

Although the causal relationship between hrHPV infection and cervical cancer is demonstrated, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to induce the malignant transformation. Other genetic alterations, such as miRNAs, are required. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ~22 nt single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that generally negatively regulate their target mRNAs at a posttranscriptional level. The different expression of miRNAs in cervical cancer cells or tissues as compared with normal controls has been reported, and candidate miRNAs functioning as oncogenes (including miR-21, miR-127, miR-146a, miR-199a) and tumor suppressors (including miR-34a, miR-143, miR-145, miR-200a, miR-218) in cervical cancer carcinogenesis have been suggested (Lee et al., 2011 ). Using TaqMan MicroRNA Arrays, McBee and colab (McBee, et al, 2011) found that 18 miRNAs were overexpressed and 2 underexpressed (miRs-218 and 433). Only five miRNAs (miR-21, miR-135b, miR- 223, and miR-301b) may have the potential to be used as markers for progression from dysplasia toward invasive cervical disease. Some miRNAs might be down regulated in cervical HPV

HPV presents some features that allow a specific immune behaviour: bypass the immune response, persist in the lower genital tract, induce and promote the progression of cervical cancer. These characteristics are related to (i) preferential localization of intraepithelial HPV infection, (ii) the absence of viral infection on the impact keratinocytes, (iii) the ability of HPV to interfere with innate immunity, and (iv) the expression of late proteins antigens responsible for generating antibody response. The virus uses some mechanisms to evade immune system: (1) it maintain slow infection levels so that only a low amount of virus is exposed to the immune system; (2) it exploits the redundancy of genetic code; (3) it mimics host proteins; (4) it modulates the antigen presentation; (5) interfere with IFN; (6) inhibition

significance.

significance as surrogate markers.

infection through methylation (Botezatu et al., 2011).

**3.7 Markers of immune recognition** 

of cytokines and chemokine profile; (7) distortion of adhesion molecules; (8) modulation of adhesion molecules; (9) prevention of apoptosis; (10) inhibition of APC migration.

Several studies have analyzed immunohistochemically different sub-types of immune cells in tumor tissue biopsies (TCD4, TCD8, TCD3, BCD20, CD45, CD57, CD68, etc.). The immune response to cervical neoplasia varies with the extension of the disease. In SIL, typically associated with persistent HPV infection and high viral load, the lymphocyte subpopulations percentages estimated by image analysis were 41% for CD4, 45% for CD8, 7% for CD20, and 7% for CD56 (Kobayashi et al. 2004). Most researchers revealed the essential role intra-and peri-tumor cells play in the favourable development of cervical cancer, suggesting that certain survival predictors in cervical cancer relapse may be involved (Nedergaard et al., 2007, 2008). Such predictors are: inflammatory infiltrate (role in promoting long-term survival), low CD3 (role in predicting relapse), high CD8 cell density (involved in cervical cancer favourable prognosis) and low CD4 cell (involved in advanced stages of disease) (Nedergaard et al., 2007, 2008; Bell et al., 1995; Bethwaite et al., 1996; Chao et al., 1999).

Cytokine profile distortion leads to inappropriate immune response, which may have immunosuppressive effects (failure to eliminate infection in host). HPV infections are focal and detection of systemic cytokine serum levels are not associated with the clearance or persistence of HPV infection (Hong et al., 2010).

Evaluation of cytokines may predict high-risk HPV clearance or persistence in untreated patients with mild dysplasia or less. Among HPV-infected women, IFN-gamma is significantly associated with E6, E7 HPV16 and high-risk HPV viral load in the uterine cervix. Thus, increased intralesional IFN-gamma may be considered a prognostic marker for oncogenic potential of high-risk HPV (Song et al., 2007). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IFN-gamma-positive results were significantly associated with clearance of high-risk HPV after 12 months of follow-up, suggesting that intralesional IFNgamma may be a prognostic marker for clearance of high-risk HPV (Song et al., 2008).

Most studies regarding cytokine profiles in HPV associated cancers indicate that Th2 cytokines correlate with progression toward invasive tumors (Bais et al., 2005). So, cervical tumors infiltrating lymphocytes have predominantly Th2/Tc2 polarity and regional lymph nodes seem to have a high proportion of T cells. However, this is due to the tumor rather than to the mechanisms of circumvention used by HPV. Comparing the cytokine profiles in cervical secretions of normal cervicitis, presenting or not HPV DNA, it were described high levels of IL-10 in HPV + samples (Azar et al., 2004). The early increase of IL-10 in cervical lesions can induce the inhibition of immune response against HPV infection. These data suggest that the cytokine profile distortion to an immunosuppressive profile can be induced by HPV and can cause the development of cancerous lesions (Kanodia et al., 2007). Several cytokines have been shown to reduce HPV transcription; this repression involves TGF-β, interleukin 1 and TNF-α (H. zur Hausen, 2002). TNF-α repression is lost during malignant conversion.

#### **4. Conclusions**

HPV associated cancer still remains a cause of death in women. Epidemiological studies and laboratory data confirmed that persistent infections with high risk human papillomaviruses

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#### **5. Acknowledgements**

Romanian National Grants CEEX 119; PN2-41030; PN2-41081.

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**6** 

*Japan* 

**Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women** 

In Japan, the elderly population has been rapidly increasing, and the "aging society" is currently considered one of the nation's most important social concerns. According to statements by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, the average life spans of men and women in 2008 were 79 and 86 years, respectively, and that of women in Japan is the longest in the world (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 2009). The percentage of the elderly population in Japan will continue to increase. With the growing aging society, the number of elderly patients with various malignancies has been increasing. However, the rate of cancer in younger patients has also been increasing, due to changes in lifestyles, such as the increased popularity of Western food, viral infections, and genetic factors. In Japan, malignant neoplasms demonstrate the highest mortality rate, surpassing cerebrovascular and heart diseases since 1981, and lung cancer has demonstrated the highest mortality rate

Cervical cancer affects a wide age demographic, but, recently, the prevalence of disease among young women has been emphasized. It is well known that the most common cause of cervical cancer is human papilloma virus (HPV). Sexual relationships in younger women with little knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases appear to be an important factor contributing to the prevalence of HPV infection. In Japan, the most commonly afflicted age group is women in their late 30s to early 40s. Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer women aged ≤ 39 years old. The prevalence rate decreases for women aged 50 to 60 years and increases again for women in their 70s. As a result of the aging society and re-increase of prevalence rate, the number of elderly patients with cervical cancer has been increasing in Japan. The number of elderly patients with cervical cancer in the Western counties with aging societies has also been increasing as in Japan. We should remember that a 77-year-old cervical cancer patient, for example, may live for 10 to 20 additional years if the disease is cured and that these elderly patients should be treated with radical modalities similar to those used on young patients to achieve successful outcome. However, treatment modalities should be selected carefully because of the high likelihood of toxicity from the treatment and concurrent medical problems, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dementia, cerebral infarction, and other cancers. In the daily clinical setting, the opportunities for treating elderly patients with

**1. Introduction** 

among every malignancy in both men and women.

several concurrent medical problems are increasing.

Kenji Yoshida1, Ryohei Sasaki1, Hideki Nishimura1,

Daisuke Miyawaki1 and Kazuro Sugimura2

*Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo* 

*1Division of Radiation Oncology 2Department of Radiology* 


### **Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women**

Kenji Yoshida1, Ryohei Sasaki1, Hideki Nishimura1, Daisuke Miyawaki1 and Kazuro Sugimura2 *1Division of Radiation Oncology 2Department of Radiology Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo Japan* 

#### **1. Introduction**

102 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

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In Japan, the elderly population has been rapidly increasing, and the "aging society" is currently considered one of the nation's most important social concerns. According to statements by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, the average life spans of men and women in 2008 were 79 and 86 years, respectively, and that of women in Japan is the longest in the world (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 2009). The percentage of the elderly population in Japan will continue to increase. With the growing aging society, the number of elderly patients with various malignancies has been increasing. However, the rate of cancer in younger patients has also been increasing, due to changes in lifestyles, such as the increased popularity of Western food, viral infections, and genetic factors. In Japan, malignant neoplasms demonstrate the highest mortality rate, surpassing cerebrovascular and heart diseases since 1981, and lung cancer has demonstrated the highest mortality rate among every malignancy in both men and women.

Cervical cancer affects a wide age demographic, but, recently, the prevalence of disease among young women has been emphasized. It is well known that the most common cause of cervical cancer is human papilloma virus (HPV). Sexual relationships in younger women with little knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases appear to be an important factor contributing to the prevalence of HPV infection. In Japan, the most commonly afflicted age group is women in their late 30s to early 40s. Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer women aged ≤ 39 years old. The prevalence rate decreases for women aged 50 to 60 years and increases again for women in their 70s. As a result of the aging society and re-increase of prevalence rate, the number of elderly patients with cervical cancer has been increasing in Japan. The number of elderly patients with cervical cancer in the Western counties with aging societies has also been increasing as in Japan. We should remember that a 77-year-old cervical cancer patient, for example, may live for 10 to 20 additional years if the disease is cured and that these elderly patients should be treated with radical modalities similar to those used on young patients to achieve successful outcome. However, treatment modalities should be selected carefully because of the high likelihood of toxicity from the treatment and concurrent medical problems, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dementia, cerebral infarction, and other cancers. In the daily clinical setting, the opportunities for treating elderly patients with several concurrent medical problems are increasing.

Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women 105

is recognized to be important in the definitive treatment. For FIGO stage IA2 disease, radical hysterectomomy (RH) + pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) ± para-aortic lymph node sampling, or intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) ± pelvic RT, or radical trachelectomy + PLND ± para-aortic lymph node sampling is recommended. In addition, for FIGO stage IB1 or IIA1, RH + PLND ± para-aortic lymph node sampling, or pelvic RT + ICBT, or radical trachelectomy for tumors ≤ 2 cm (stage 1B1) + PLND ± para-aortic lymph node sampling is recommended. These recommendations indicate that RT can be used in early-stage diseases, and its importance increases in advanced-stage diseases. In other words, RT can be used to treat cervical cancer at any stage, and it is the most important treatment modality for elderly

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with ICBT is the standard RT method for cervical cancer. For EBRT, patients were initially treated with whole-pelvic RT using a box field. The gross tumor, whole uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, parametria and uterosacral ligaments must be included in the RT field. Additionally, a sufficient vaginal margin from the gross disease (at least 3 cm) is necessary. In X-ray films, the superior limit is the upper border of the 5th lumber, and the inferior limit is the lower border of the obturator foramen for the anterior/posterior RT field. For the lateral RT field, the anterior limit is approximately 0.5 cm behind the pubic joint, and the posterior limit should involve the entire sacrum. In Japan, a centrally shielded field using an anterior/posterior opposed field is applied just before the starting ICBT subsequent to whole-pelvic RT to reduce the doses for organs at risk, especially the rectum and bladder. The daily fraction size of EBRT is approximately 1.8 to 2.0 Gy in general. The total dose of pelvic RT is 45.0 to 50.4 Gy. Although standard EBRT for cervical cancer is performed using a 3D technique, while a new RT method, which is known as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), has been expanding in many institutions. IMRT achieves the dose reduction of organs at risk, such as the rectum, bladder, colon, and small intestine, in the pelvic RT. Dose reduction for these

ICBT using a distinctive dose prescription point known as "Point A" is performed to boost the primary tumor and is an indispensable procedure in the RT of cervical cancer. Traditionally, low-dose rate ICBT (LDR-ICBT) was usually used, but high-dose rate ICBT (HDR-ICBT) using a 192-iridium remote afterloading system has become favored over LDR-ICBT. In Japan, most patients are treated with HDR-ICBT, and it is performed 3 to 5 times at 1-week intervals during EBRT. Generally, the single fraction size of HDR-ICBT ranges from 5.0 to 6.0 Gy, and the total dose is 15.0 to 29.0 Gy. Patients with higher stage diseases are usually treated with higher doses of whole-pelvic RT and lower doses of ICBT. Patients with lower-stage diseases are usually treated with higher doses of ICBT and lower doses of whole-pelvic RT. It is also important to reduce the doses for organs at risk in ICBT as well as EBRT. When performing ICBT, we should consider that toxicity from overdose to the rectum and bladder may lead to lethal results for elderly patients with cervical cancer. The doses for the rectum and bladder are evaluated according to the recommendation of ICRU Report 38 in most institutions (International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, 1985); however, these recommendations are based on the use of 2D treatment planning using X-ray films. Recently, 3D treatment planning systems for brachytherapy using CT or MRI, which are known as image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT), have been gradually expanding similarly to IMRT. Using this technique, the doses for the rectum and bladder are calculated more accurately compared to past treatment methods,

organs will provide certain benefits, especially for elderly patients.

patients.

The basic treatment modality for cervical cancer is a surgical approach or radiotherapy (RT). In general, surgery is performed for patients with early-stage cervical cancers. RT can be performed for the patients with early- to advanced-stage cervical cancer. Additionally, in the previous reports, the treatment results of surgery and RT for early-stage cervical cancer were similar (Landoni et al., 1997; Perez et al., 1995 and Yamashita et al., 2005). Furthermore, RT appears to be a less invasive modality compared to surgery. These facts indicate that RT is a more appropriate treatment for the elderly patient population.

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the treatment modalities for elderly patients with cervical cancer with a focus on RT based on the knowledge from our experience and previous reports.

#### **2. Details of a standard RT method, including recommendations for elderly patients with cervical cancer and a review of treatment outcomes**

Selecting a treatment modality for elderly patients, cautious evaluation of their general condition, clinical staging, and concurrent medical problems are important because they usually do not tolerate treatment-related toxicity as well as do young patients. Inadequate treatment may result in lethal toxicity. Generally, RT is thought to be one of the most suitable modalities for preserving quality of life, and, therefore, RT is important for elderly patients. In this section, the general knowledge of clinical manifestations and pretreatment evaluation of elderly patients are described. Subsequently, the details of a standard RT method for cervical cancer, including recommendations for elderly patients, are illustrated, and the treatment outcomes of RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer are discussed.

#### **2.1 Clinical manifestations and pretreatment evaluation**

The most frequent and important clinical manifestation of cervical cancer is irregular vaginal bleeding. Other important clinical manifestations include bleeding during sexual activity, increase of vaginal discharge and lower-back pain. For advanced disease, the bleeding sometimes becomes severe, and blood transfusions are usually performed. Severe bleeding may have lethal results in elderly patients.

Clinical staging is generally performed according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages (Creasman, 1995). However, thoracic to pelvic computed tomography (CT) or pelvic magnet resonance imaging (MRI) must be performed in both elderly and younger patients. Additionally, positron emission tomography (PET) scans should also be performed, if possible. These imaging procedures are useful for clinical staging and are important for the determination of the treatment modality. Similarly, pretreatment evaluation, including concurrent medical problems and performance status, is also important because elderly patients usually do not tolerate treatment-related toxicity as well as do younger patients. Using these methods, adequate treatment modalities for elderly patients can be determined.

#### **2.2 Standard RT method for cervical cancer, including recommendations for elderly patients**

According to the Clinical Practice Guideline in Oncology from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2011), RT

The basic treatment modality for cervical cancer is a surgical approach or radiotherapy (RT). In general, surgery is performed for patients with early-stage cervical cancers. RT can be performed for the patients with early- to advanced-stage cervical cancer. Additionally, in the previous reports, the treatment results of surgery and RT for early-stage cervical cancer were similar (Landoni et al., 1997; Perez et al., 1995 and Yamashita et al., 2005). Furthermore, RT appears to be a less invasive modality compared to surgery. These facts indicate that RT

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the treatment modalities for elderly patients with cervical cancer with a focus on RT based on the knowledge from our experience and

**2. Details of a standard RT method, including recommendations for elderly** 

Selecting a treatment modality for elderly patients, cautious evaluation of their general condition, clinical staging, and concurrent medical problems are important because they usually do not tolerate treatment-related toxicity as well as do young patients. Inadequate treatment may result in lethal toxicity. Generally, RT is thought to be one of the most suitable modalities for preserving quality of life, and, therefore, RT is important for elderly patients. In this section, the general knowledge of clinical manifestations and pretreatment evaluation of elderly patients are described. Subsequently, the details of a standard RT method for cervical cancer, including recommendations for elderly patients, are illustrated, and the treatment outcomes of RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer are discussed.

The most frequent and important clinical manifestation of cervical cancer is irregular vaginal bleeding. Other important clinical manifestations include bleeding during sexual activity, increase of vaginal discharge and lower-back pain. For advanced disease, the bleeding sometimes becomes severe, and blood transfusions are usually performed. Severe

Clinical staging is generally performed according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages (Creasman, 1995). However, thoracic to pelvic computed tomography (CT) or pelvic magnet resonance imaging (MRI) must be performed in both elderly and younger patients. Additionally, positron emission tomography (PET) scans should also be performed, if possible. These imaging procedures are useful for clinical staging and are important for the determination of the treatment modality. Similarly, pretreatment evaluation, including concurrent medical problems and performance status, is also important because elderly patients usually do not tolerate treatment-related toxicity as well as do younger patients. Using these methods, adequate treatment modalities for elderly

**2.2 Standard RT method for cervical cancer, including recommendations for elderly** 

According to the Clinical Practice Guideline in Oncology from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2011), RT

**patients with cervical cancer and a review of treatment outcomes** 

is a more appropriate treatment for the elderly patient population.

**2.1 Clinical manifestations and pretreatment evaluation** 

bleeding may have lethal results in elderly patients.

patients can be determined.

**patients** 

previous reports.

is recognized to be important in the definitive treatment. For FIGO stage IA2 disease, radical hysterectomomy (RH) + pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) ± para-aortic lymph node sampling, or intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) ± pelvic RT, or radical trachelectomy + PLND ± para-aortic lymph node sampling is recommended. In addition, for FIGO stage IB1 or IIA1, RH + PLND ± para-aortic lymph node sampling, or pelvic RT + ICBT, or radical trachelectomy for tumors ≤ 2 cm (stage 1B1) + PLND ± para-aortic lymph node sampling is recommended. These recommendations indicate that RT can be used in early-stage diseases, and its importance increases in advanced-stage diseases. In other words, RT can be used to treat cervical cancer at any stage, and it is the most important treatment modality for elderly patients.

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with ICBT is the standard RT method for cervical cancer. For EBRT, patients were initially treated with whole-pelvic RT using a box field. The gross tumor, whole uterus, pelvic lymph nodes, parametria and uterosacral ligaments must be included in the RT field. Additionally, a sufficient vaginal margin from the gross disease (at least 3 cm) is necessary. In X-ray films, the superior limit is the upper border of the 5th lumber, and the inferior limit is the lower border of the obturator foramen for the anterior/posterior RT field. For the lateral RT field, the anterior limit is approximately 0.5 cm behind the pubic joint, and the posterior limit should involve the entire sacrum. In Japan, a centrally shielded field using an anterior/posterior opposed field is applied just before the starting ICBT subsequent to whole-pelvic RT to reduce the doses for organs at risk, especially the rectum and bladder. The daily fraction size of EBRT is approximately 1.8 to 2.0 Gy in general. The total dose of pelvic RT is 45.0 to 50.4 Gy. Although standard EBRT for cervical cancer is performed using a 3D technique, while a new RT method, which is known as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), has been expanding in many institutions. IMRT achieves the dose reduction of organs at risk, such as the rectum, bladder, colon, and small intestine, in the pelvic RT. Dose reduction for these organs will provide certain benefits, especially for elderly patients.

ICBT using a distinctive dose prescription point known as "Point A" is performed to boost the primary tumor and is an indispensable procedure in the RT of cervical cancer. Traditionally, low-dose rate ICBT (LDR-ICBT) was usually used, but high-dose rate ICBT (HDR-ICBT) using a 192-iridium remote afterloading system has become favored over LDR-ICBT. In Japan, most patients are treated with HDR-ICBT, and it is performed 3 to 5 times at 1-week intervals during EBRT. Generally, the single fraction size of HDR-ICBT ranges from 5.0 to 6.0 Gy, and the total dose is 15.0 to 29.0 Gy. Patients with higher stage diseases are usually treated with higher doses of whole-pelvic RT and lower doses of ICBT. Patients with lower-stage diseases are usually treated with higher doses of ICBT and lower doses of whole-pelvic RT. It is also important to reduce the doses for organs at risk in ICBT as well as EBRT. When performing ICBT, we should consider that toxicity from overdose to the rectum and bladder may lead to lethal results for elderly patients with cervical cancer. The doses for the rectum and bladder are evaluated according to the recommendation of ICRU Report 38 in most institutions (International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, 1985); however, these recommendations are based on the use of 2D treatment planning using X-ray films. Recently, 3D treatment planning systems for brachytherapy using CT or MRI, which are known as image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT), have been gradually expanding similarly to IMRT. Using this technique, the doses for the rectum and bladder are calculated more accurately compared to past treatment methods,

Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women 107

for elderly patients with para-aortic lymph node involvement, while excluding patients in

Several reports have examined the treatment results of RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer. As for Japanese papers, Sakurai et al. retrospectively evaluated 380 patients with cervical cancer treated with definitive RT between 1970 and 1994 (Sakurai et al., 2000). Of the 380 patients, 215 were younger than 70 years, 124 were 70 to 79 years, and 41 were 80 years or older. All of the patients were treated with EBRT combined with LDR-ICBT. They reported that the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in the youngest (younger than 70 years), intermediate (70 to 79 years), and oldest (80 years or older) groups were 58%, 50%, and 33%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate in the oldest group was significantly worse than that of the youngest group. They also reported that the 5-year cause-specific survival (CSS) rate in the youngest, intermediate, and oldest groups were 68%, 70%, and 65%, respectively. The CSS rates were not significantly different among the 3 groups. For the chronic complications, Grade 3 or 4 occurred in 6.5% of the youngest, 11.3% of the intermediate, and 7.3% of the oldest group. No significant differences were observed in those complications among the 3 groups. They concluded that EBRT combined with LDR-BT proved to be highly effective and safe for elderly patients with cervical cancer. Ikushima et al. retrospectively evaluated 727 patients treated with definitive RT between 1970 and 1994 (Ikushima et al., 2007). In this report, 727 patients were also divided into 3 groups. Patients aged ≤ 64 years (n = 337) was defined as the younger group (YG), patients aged 65 – 74 years (n = 258) were defined as the young-old group (YOG), and patients aged ≥ 75 years (n = 132) composed the older group (OG). EBRT combined with LDR-ICBT was the basic treatment. However, 16 of 337 patients in the YG, 7 of 258 in the YOG, and 10 of 122 in the OG were not treated with LDT-ICBT. The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 59% and 49% in the YG, 68% and 51% in the YOG, and 49% and 30% in the OG, respectively. The differences in the 5- and 10-year OS rates between the OG and other groups were significant. The 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 60% and 52.5% in the YG, 75.7% and 67.8% in the YOG, and 65.9 % and 56.7% in the OG, respectively. In this study, the 5- and 10-year DSS rates in the YG were worse compared to the other groups, and the differences between the YG and the YOG were significant. Grade 2-4 late radiation morbidity in the bladder and/or rectum occurred in 22% of the YG, 31% of the YOG, and 8% of the OG. Grade 3-4 morbidity did not occur in the OG. They concluded that age was not a significant prognostic factor, and, in the management of cervical cancer, advanced age was not a contraindication to radical RT. We also retrospectively evaluated 40 patients aged ≥ 75 years who were treated with RT between 2000 and 2009 (9 were treated between 2000 and 2005, and 31 were treated between 2006 and 2009). In our study, 35 patients were treated with definitive RT, and 5 were treated with surgery + adjuvant RT (Yoshida et al., 2011). Among the 35 patients treated with definitive RT, 31 were treated with EBRT combined with HDR-ICBT. Of the remaining 4 patients, 3 were treated with EBRT alone and 1 with HDR-ICBT alone because of their medical condition. Of the initial 40 patients, 38 completed the treatment as planned, 1 completed with a delay, due to concomitant heart disease, and 1 could not complete the treatment because of acute toxicity. The 3-year OS and DSS rates for all of the patients were 58% and 80%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 20 months. Both acute and late toxicity were evaluated in our study. Grade 3 acute toxicity occurred in 5 patients. Of the 3

**2.3 Treatment outcomes of definitive RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer** 

quite good condition.

and a more adequate dose distribution for the gross tumor will be achieved. In the near future, IGBT will be the preferred method in the treatment planning of brachytherapy. In the treatment of elderly patients, RT induced toxicity must be reduced as much as possible. The standard definitive RT methods and doses for cervical cancer in Japan according to stage (tumor size) are described in Table 1 (Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Japanese Society of Pathology, Japan Radiological Society, 1997).


EBRT: External beam radiotherapy, HDR-ICBT: High dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy

Table 1. Standard definitive RT methods and doses according to stage (tumor size)

A boost to the primary tumor by EBRT is an alternative method for elderly patients because they are usually in poor condition, due to concomitant medical problems, and these patients may not be tolerant of ICBT. To reduce the irradiated volume, retreatment planning based on newly obtained CT scans should be performed just before the start of the boost. In our institution, the most commonly used dose is 10.0 Gy in 5 fractions. ICBT alone for small tumors is also a treatment choice for elderly patients who cannot continue long-term hospitalization because of dementia or other mental problems. Additionally, pelvic RT with smaller fields, reducing the dose of ICBT, and other efforts should be performed to avoid severe toxicity for elderly patients with poor performance statuses.

A boost to the gross lymph node involvement on CT or MRI is often performed because the lymph node usually cannot be controlled by 50 Gy of pelvic RT. Although the boost to the lymph node involvement is important for cure, it may be too aggressive for elderly patients. Therefore, indication should be determined with caution. Patients with poor performance statuses from the beginning of RT, patients who experienced severe acute toxicity, or patients with multiple lymph node involvement (3 or more) should be excluded. Similar to the boost to the primary tumor by EBRT, retreatment planning based on newly obtained CT should be performed just before the start of the boost. In our institution, the most commonly used dose is 10.0 Gy in 5 fractions. Using IMRT will provide higher safety for elderly patients when the boost to the primary tumor or lymph node involvement is performed.

Para-aortic lymph node involvement is an evidence of advanced disease. For these patients, extended-field RT including the entire pelvis and the para-aortic region is sometimes performed. Extended-field RT is an aggressive modality for elderly patients. Treatment delay will often occur, and some patients cannot complete RT. Moreover, patients with advanced disease usually demonstrate poor performance status. Therefore, extended-field RT does not seem to be suitable for elderly patients. Palliative RT should be recommended

and a more adequate dose distribution for the gross tumor will be achieved. In the near future, IGBT will be the preferred method in the treatment planning of brachytherapy. In the treatment of elderly patients, RT induced toxicity must be reduced as much as possible. The standard definitive RT methods and doses for cervical cancer in Japan according to stage (tumor size) are described in Table 1 (Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The

stage (tumor size) EBRT (Gy) HDR-ICBT

I 0 45-50 29 / 5 II (small) 0 45-50 29 / 5 II (large) 20 30 23 /4 III (small to middle) 20-30 20-30 23 /4 III (large) 30-40 20-25 15-20 /3-4 IVA 30-50 10-20 15-20 /3-4

EBRT: External beam radiotherapy, HDR-ICBT: High dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy Table 1. Standard definitive RT methods and doses according to stage (tumor size)

severe toxicity for elderly patients with poor performance statuses.

A boost to the primary tumor by EBRT is an alternative method for elderly patients because they are usually in poor condition, due to concomitant medical problems, and these patients may not be tolerant of ICBT. To reduce the irradiated volume, retreatment planning based on newly obtained CT scans should be performed just before the start of the boost. In our institution, the most commonly used dose is 10.0 Gy in 5 fractions. ICBT alone for small tumors is also a treatment choice for elderly patients who cannot continue long-term hospitalization because of dementia or other mental problems. Additionally, pelvic RT with smaller fields, reducing the dose of ICBT, and other efforts should be performed to avoid

A boost to the gross lymph node involvement on CT or MRI is often performed because the lymph node usually cannot be controlled by 50 Gy of pelvic RT. Although the boost to the lymph node involvement is important for cure, it may be too aggressive for elderly patients. Therefore, indication should be determined with caution. Patients with poor performance statuses from the beginning of RT, patients who experienced severe acute toxicity, or patients with multiple lymph node involvement (3 or more) should be excluded. Similar to the boost to the primary tumor by EBRT, retreatment planning based on newly obtained CT should be performed just before the start of the boost. In our institution, the most commonly used dose is 10.0 Gy in 5 fractions. Using IMRT will provide higher safety for elderly patients when the boost to the primary tumor or lymph node involvement is performed.

Para-aortic lymph node involvement is an evidence of advanced disease. For these patients, extended-field RT including the entire pelvis and the para-aortic region is sometimes performed. Extended-field RT is an aggressive modality for elderly patients. Treatment delay will often occur, and some patients cannot complete RT. Moreover, patients with advanced disease usually demonstrate poor performance status. Therefore, extended-field RT does not seem to be suitable for elderly patients. Palliative RT should be recommended

whole pelvis cenrally-shielded (Gy / fractions)

Japanese Society of Pathology, Japan Radiological Society, 1997).

for elderly patients with para-aortic lymph node involvement, while excluding patients in quite good condition.

#### **2.3 Treatment outcomes of definitive RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer**

Several reports have examined the treatment results of RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer. As for Japanese papers, Sakurai et al. retrospectively evaluated 380 patients with cervical cancer treated with definitive RT between 1970 and 1994 (Sakurai et al., 2000). Of the 380 patients, 215 were younger than 70 years, 124 were 70 to 79 years, and 41 were 80 years or older. All of the patients were treated with EBRT combined with LDR-ICBT. They reported that the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in the youngest (younger than 70 years), intermediate (70 to 79 years), and oldest (80 years or older) groups were 58%, 50%, and 33%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate in the oldest group was significantly worse than that of the youngest group. They also reported that the 5-year cause-specific survival (CSS) rate in the youngest, intermediate, and oldest groups were 68%, 70%, and 65%, respectively. The CSS rates were not significantly different among the 3 groups. For the chronic complications, Grade 3 or 4 occurred in 6.5% of the youngest, 11.3% of the intermediate, and 7.3% of the oldest group. No significant differences were observed in those complications among the 3 groups. They concluded that EBRT combined with LDR-BT proved to be highly effective and safe for elderly patients with cervical cancer. Ikushima et al. retrospectively evaluated 727 patients treated with definitive RT between 1970 and 1994 (Ikushima et al., 2007). In this report, 727 patients were also divided into 3 groups. Patients aged ≤ 64 years (n = 337) was defined as the younger group (YG), patients aged 65 – 74 years (n = 258) were defined as the young-old group (YOG), and patients aged ≥ 75 years (n = 132) composed the older group (OG). EBRT combined with LDR-ICBT was the basic treatment. However, 16 of 337 patients in the YG, 7 of 258 in the YOG, and 10 of 122 in the OG were not treated with LDT-ICBT. The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 59% and 49% in the YG, 68% and 51% in the YOG, and 49% and 30% in the OG, respectively. The differences in the 5- and 10-year OS rates between the OG and other groups were significant. The 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 60% and 52.5% in the YG, 75.7% and 67.8% in the YOG, and 65.9 % and 56.7% in the OG, respectively. In this study, the 5- and 10-year DSS rates in the YG were worse compared to the other groups, and the differences between the YG and the YOG were significant. Grade 2-4 late radiation morbidity in the bladder and/or rectum occurred in 22% of the YG, 31% of the YOG, and 8% of the OG. Grade 3-4 morbidity did not occur in the OG. They concluded that age was not a significant prognostic factor, and, in the management of cervical cancer, advanced age was not a contraindication to radical RT. We also retrospectively evaluated 40 patients aged ≥ 75 years who were treated with RT between 2000 and 2009 (9 were treated between 2000 and 2005, and 31 were treated between 2006 and 2009). In our study, 35 patients were treated with definitive RT, and 5 were treated with surgery + adjuvant RT (Yoshida et al., 2011). Among the 35 patients treated with definitive RT, 31 were treated with EBRT combined with HDR-ICBT. Of the remaining 4 patients, 3 were treated with EBRT alone and 1 with HDR-ICBT alone because of their medical condition. Of the initial 40 patients, 38 completed the treatment as planned, 1 completed with a delay, due to concomitant heart disease, and 1 could not complete the treatment because of acute toxicity. The 3-year OS and DSS rates for all of the patients were 58% and 80%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 20 months. Both acute and late toxicity were evaluated in our study. Grade 3 acute toxicity occurred in 5 patients. Of the 3

Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women 109

was due to the increase of death from other causes in the elderly population and was expected. Toxicity due to RT was similar in both elderly and younger patients in all of the reports. Therefore, definitive RT, especially a combination of EBRT and ICBT, was equally effective for elderly patients and younger patients. Using IMRT, IGBT, or both, further reduction of treatment-related toxicity will be achieved with excellent treatment outcomes. In the near future, a combination of IMRT and IGBT will be the standard method of

A surgical approach for elderly patients with cervical cancer is controversial. Conization of the cervix for FIGO stage 0 cancer is well tolerable, even for elderly patients, but the standard surgical approach, RH and PLND, appears to be invasive. Wright et al. retrospectively analyzed 1582 patients with cervical cancer who were treated between 1986 and 2003 (Wright et al., 2005). Of the 1582 patients, 1385 were aged < 70 years, and 197 were aged ≥ 70 years. Surgery (including RH, modified RH, extrafascial hysterectomy, or trachelectomy) was performed for 753 of 1385 (54.4%) patients aged < 70 years and was performed for 32 of 197 (16.2%) patients aged ≥ 70 years. However, RT or chemoradiation (CRT) was performed for 605 of 1385 (43.7%) patients aged < 70 years and was performed for 156 of 197 (79.1%) patients aged ≥ 70 years. They stressed that younger patients were more likely to undergo surgery, and older patients were more likely to receive RT. There are several reports about RH for cervical cancer concerning age. Fuchtner et al. (1992) compared 45 women older than 65 years treated with RH and 90 women less than 65 years treated similarly (Fuchtner et al., 1992). Although transfusions were required more frequently in the elderly patients, there were no significant differences in survival or complications. They concluded that age alone should not be a contraindication for RH in elderly patients with cervical cancer. Geisler et al. examined 62 patients aged over 65 years who underwent RH and a lymphadenectomy between 1965 and 1998 (Geisler et al., 2001). These patients were matched with 124 patients aged 50 years or younger who underwent the same procedure. Although the period of the postoperative hospital stay was longer in the elderly group than the younger group, there were no significant differences in the percentages of intraoperative and postoperative complications. They concluded that radical hysterectomy is a safe surgical procedure in a select population of patients aged 65 years or over. Mousavi et al. retrospectively evaluated 22 patients aged 60 years and above who underwent a Wertheim RH between 1999 and 2005, comparing 128 matched cases under 60 years who underwent the same procedure during the same period (Mousavi et al., 2008). There were no operative mortalities in either group, and there was no significant difference in morbidity between the 2 groups. The mean postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the older patients. They concluded that Wertheim RH is a safe surgical procedure in the selected population of patients aged 60 years and older. From the results of these reports about RH, the authors emphasized that it was a safe treatment modality for elderly patients. However, they defined "elderly" as "60 years and above" or "over 65 years." On the other hand, in the reports about RT, "elderly" was defined as "over 70 years" or "75 years or older." In recent years, "elderly" generally includes patients aged 75 years or older or at least over 70 years. Therefore, patients defined as elderly in reports about RH were considered to be "middle aged." Therefore, whether RH is safe for elderly patients aged "over 70 years" or "75 years

definitive RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer.

**3. Surgical approaches for elderly patients** 

or older" remains unclear.

patients, 3 were treated with surgery + adjuvant RT. Grade 4 toxicity did not occur. Grade 3 late toxicity occurred in 2 patients. Of the two patients, one was treated with surgery + adjuvant RT, and the other was treated with BERT + HCR-ICBT with concurrent chemotherapy. Although the median follow-up was shorter, and a smaller number of patients were evaluated, our results were consistent with 2 large Japanese studies. We concluded that definitive RT for elderly patients was generally effective and safe, but aggressive treatment, such as surgery + adjuvant RT, concurrent chemoradiation, or a combination of these modalities, should be performed with caution.

Studies from other countries have also reported results regarding elderly patients with cervical cancer treated with RT. Mitchell et al. retrospectively analyzed 398 patients treated with RT between 1975 and 1993. Patients were divided into nonelderly (ages 35- 69, n = 338) and elderly (ages ≥ 70, n = 60) groups (Mitchell et al., 1998). The basic RT method was a combination of EBRT and LDR-ICBT. However, 12.9% of the nonelderly group and 31.7% of the elderly group did not receive RT. The 5-year OS rates were 58.0% in the nonelderly group and 46.4% in the elderly group. The difference in the OS rate between the 2 groups was significant. However, the 5-year CSS rates were 76.3% in the nonelderly group and 84.1% in the elderly group. Unlike the OS rate, the CSS rate in the elderly group was better than in the nonelderly group, but this difference was not significant. The frequency and severity of acute and chronic toxicity were similar in both groups, and they concluded that definitive RT was effective and also well tolerated in elderly cervical cancer patients. Chen et al. described 295 patients treated with definitive RT between 1992 and 1997 and focused on HDR-ICBT (Chen et al., 2003). Patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients under 70 years of age (n = 179) were defined as a younger group, and patients aged 70 years or older (n = 79) were included in an older group. They used whole-pelvic RT with a total dose of 45-50 Gy in 20-25 fractions over 4-5 weeks. A boost for patients with FIGO IIB-IVA bilateral parametrial disease was performed up to 54-58 Gy using central shielding. After the completion of whole-pelvic RT, HDR-ICBT was performed at 1-week intervals. The standard dose to Point A for three insertions (before July 1995) was 7.2 Gy or 6.0 Gy (after July 1995). The authors noted that the Point A dose was decreased to 5.0 Gy for all 79 patients in the older group. Survival was calculated according to age and clinical stage. The 5-year respective OS for the older and younger groups were 82% and 85% for stage IB, 65% and 65% for IIA, 61% and 71% for 2 IIB, and 35% and 59% for 3 IIIA-B, respectively. No significant differences were observed. The respective 5-year CSS rates for the older and younger groups were 100% and 95% for IB, 85% and 75% for IIA, 78% and 72% for IIB, and 42% and 61% for IIIA-B, respectively. No significant differences were observed. As for the complications, only 3 patients developed acute Grade 3-4 gastrointestinal complications (2 in the older and 1 in the younger group). Twelve (15%) patients in the older group and 14 (7.8%) in the younger group developed late Grade 3-4 rectal complications, while 7 (8.9%) patients in the older group and 10 (5.6%) patients in the younger group developed Grade 3-4 small bowel complications. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups for Grade 3-4 complications. The authors concluded that a combination of EBRT and HDR-ICBT was effective and tolerable for elderly patients.

The results in these reports indicated that there were no significant differences in the CSS (DSS) rates between the elderly and younger patients. Although several papers noted that the OS rate in elderly patients was significantly worse than the younger patients, this result

patients, 3 were treated with surgery + adjuvant RT. Grade 4 toxicity did not occur. Grade 3 late toxicity occurred in 2 patients. Of the two patients, one was treated with surgery + adjuvant RT, and the other was treated with BERT + HCR-ICBT with concurrent chemotherapy. Although the median follow-up was shorter, and a smaller number of patients were evaluated, our results were consistent with 2 large Japanese studies. We concluded that definitive RT for elderly patients was generally effective and safe, but aggressive treatment, such as surgery + adjuvant RT, concurrent chemoradiation, or a

Studies from other countries have also reported results regarding elderly patients with cervical cancer treated with RT. Mitchell et al. retrospectively analyzed 398 patients treated with RT between 1975 and 1993. Patients were divided into nonelderly (ages 35- 69, n = 338) and elderly (ages ≥ 70, n = 60) groups (Mitchell et al., 1998). The basic RT method was a combination of EBRT and LDR-ICBT. However, 12.9% of the nonelderly group and 31.7% of the elderly group did not receive RT. The 5-year OS rates were 58.0% in the nonelderly group and 46.4% in the elderly group. The difference in the OS rate between the 2 groups was significant. However, the 5-year CSS rates were 76.3% in the nonelderly group and 84.1% in the elderly group. Unlike the OS rate, the CSS rate in the elderly group was better than in the nonelderly group, but this difference was not significant. The frequency and severity of acute and chronic toxicity were similar in both groups, and they concluded that definitive RT was effective and also well tolerated in elderly cervical cancer patients. Chen et al. described 295 patients treated with definitive RT between 1992 and 1997 and focused on HDR-ICBT (Chen et al., 2003). Patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients under 70 years of age (n = 179) were defined as a younger group, and patients aged 70 years or older (n = 79) were included in an older group. They used whole-pelvic RT with a total dose of 45-50 Gy in 20-25 fractions over 4-5 weeks. A boost for patients with FIGO IIB-IVA bilateral parametrial disease was performed up to 54-58 Gy using central shielding. After the completion of whole-pelvic RT, HDR-ICBT was performed at 1-week intervals. The standard dose to Point A for three insertions (before July 1995) was 7.2 Gy or 6.0 Gy (after July 1995). The authors noted that the Point A dose was decreased to 5.0 Gy for all 79 patients in the older group. Survival was calculated according to age and clinical stage. The 5-year respective OS for the older and younger groups were 82% and 85% for stage IB, 65% and 65% for IIA, 61% and 71% for 2 IIB, and 35% and 59% for 3 IIIA-B, respectively. No significant differences were observed. The respective 5-year CSS rates for the older and younger groups were 100% and 95% for IB, 85% and 75% for IIA, 78% and 72% for IIB, and 42% and 61% for IIIA-B, respectively. No significant differences were observed. As for the complications, only 3 patients developed acute Grade 3-4 gastrointestinal complications (2 in the older and 1 in the younger group). Twelve (15%) patients in the older group and 14 (7.8%) in the younger group developed late Grade 3-4 rectal complications, while 7 (8.9%) patients in the older group and 10 (5.6%) patients in the younger group developed Grade 3-4 small bowel complications. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups for Grade 3-4 complications. The authors concluded that a combination of EBRT and HDR-ICBT was effective and

The results in these reports indicated that there were no significant differences in the CSS (DSS) rates between the elderly and younger patients. Although several papers noted that the OS rate in elderly patients was significantly worse than the younger patients, this result

combination of these modalities, should be performed with caution.

tolerable for elderly patients.

was due to the increase of death from other causes in the elderly population and was expected. Toxicity due to RT was similar in both elderly and younger patients in all of the reports. Therefore, definitive RT, especially a combination of EBRT and ICBT, was equally effective for elderly patients and younger patients. Using IMRT, IGBT, or both, further reduction of treatment-related toxicity will be achieved with excellent treatment outcomes. In the near future, a combination of IMRT and IGBT will be the standard method of definitive RT for elderly patients with cervical cancer.

#### **3. Surgical approaches for elderly patients**

A surgical approach for elderly patients with cervical cancer is controversial. Conization of the cervix for FIGO stage 0 cancer is well tolerable, even for elderly patients, but the standard surgical approach, RH and PLND, appears to be invasive. Wright et al. retrospectively analyzed 1582 patients with cervical cancer who were treated between 1986 and 2003 (Wright et al., 2005). Of the 1582 patients, 1385 were aged < 70 years, and 197 were aged ≥ 70 years. Surgery (including RH, modified RH, extrafascial hysterectomy, or trachelectomy) was performed for 753 of 1385 (54.4%) patients aged < 70 years and was performed for 32 of 197 (16.2%) patients aged ≥ 70 years. However, RT or chemoradiation (CRT) was performed for 605 of 1385 (43.7%) patients aged < 70 years and was performed for 156 of 197 (79.1%) patients aged ≥ 70 years. They stressed that younger patients were more likely to undergo surgery, and older patients were more likely to receive RT. There are several reports about RH for cervical cancer concerning age. Fuchtner et al. (1992) compared 45 women older than 65 years treated with RH and 90 women less than 65 years treated similarly (Fuchtner et al., 1992). Although transfusions were required more frequently in the elderly patients, there were no significant differences in survival or complications. They concluded that age alone should not be a contraindication for RH in elderly patients with cervical cancer. Geisler et al. examined 62 patients aged over 65 years who underwent RH and a lymphadenectomy between 1965 and 1998 (Geisler et al., 2001). These patients were matched with 124 patients aged 50 years or younger who underwent the same procedure. Although the period of the postoperative hospital stay was longer in the elderly group than the younger group, there were no significant differences in the percentages of intraoperative and postoperative complications. They concluded that radical hysterectomy is a safe surgical procedure in a select population of patients aged 65 years or over. Mousavi et al. retrospectively evaluated 22 patients aged 60 years and above who underwent a Wertheim RH between 1999 and 2005, comparing 128 matched cases under 60 years who underwent the same procedure during the same period (Mousavi et al., 2008). There were no operative mortalities in either group, and there was no significant difference in morbidity between the 2 groups. The mean postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the older patients. They concluded that Wertheim RH is a safe surgical procedure in the selected population of patients aged 60 years and older. From the results of these reports about RH, the authors emphasized that it was a safe treatment modality for elderly patients. However, they defined "elderly" as "60 years and above" or "over 65 years." On the other hand, in the reports about RT, "elderly" was defined as "over 70 years" or "75 years or older." In recent years, "elderly" generally includes patients aged 75 years or older or at least over 70 years. Therefore, patients defined as elderly in reports about RH were considered to be "middle aged." Therefore, whether RH is safe for elderly patients aged "over 70 years" or "75 years or older" remains unclear.

Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women 111

similar. These authors emphasized that CRT for elderly patients was effective and safe, but they defined "elderly" as "≥ 65 years" or "≥ 55 years", in accordance with the reports about RH. These age groups are usually not defined as "elderly." Therefore, whether concurrent CRT is safe for elderly patients aged over 70 years or 75 years or older remains unclear.

However, to achieve further improvement in survival outcomes for elderly patients with cervical cancer, especially locally advanced disease, CRT is a necessary modality. After performing large and prospective studies, concurrent CRT for selected patients aged ≥ 70 or 75 years may provide excellent outcomes with acceptable toxicity. Published reports about

Mitchell. (1998) 60 (≥ 70) RT OS rate: 46% (5-y)

Sakurai. (2000) 41 (≥ 80) RT OS rate: 33% (5-y)

Brun. (2003) 31 (≥ 75) Surgery, RT OS rate: 42% (5-y)

Ikushima. (2007) 132 (≥ 75) RT OS rate: 49% (5-y)

Goodheart. (2008) 27 (≥ 65) CRT OS rate: 44% (5-y)

Magne. (2009) 113 (≥ 70) Surgery, RT OS rate: 89% (3-y) Kunos. (2009) 103 (≥ 55) CRT OS rate: 56 % (5-y) Yoshida. (2010) 40 (≥ 75) RT OS rate: 58%, (3-y)

RT: Radiotherapy, CRT: Concurrent chemoradiation, OS: Overall survival, CSS: Cause specific survival

Selection of treatment modalities for elderly patients with cervical cancer is often limited compared to younger patients, but definitive RT, a combination of EBRT and ICBT is effective and safe. Indications for a surgical approach with or without adjuvant RT or concurrent CRT are still unclear because these aggressive modalities may cause severe treatment-related toxicity, especially for elderly patients. However, for locally advanced disease, CRT is an effective treatment. Therefore, large and prospective studies using CRT for patients aged at least ≥ 70 years with cervical cancer are needed. For RT, new techniques,

patients (years) Modality Treatment results

CSS rate: 58% (5-y)

CSS rate: 65% (5-y)

CSS rate: 66% (5-y)

CSS rate: 71% (5-y)

CSS rate: 80% (3-y)

elderly patients with cervical cancer are described in Table 2.

Lindegaard. (2000) 114 (≥ 70) RT Geisler. (2001) 62 (≥ 65) Surgery Chen. (2003) 79 (≥ 70) RT

Wright. (2005) 197 (≥ 70) Surgery, RT, CRT

Kashima. (2010) 41 (≥ 60) Surgery ± adjuvant RT

Table 2. Published reports about elderly patients with cercical cancer

**5. Conclusions** 

Authors (year) No. of elderly

Patients treated with RH + PLND with pathological risk factors, such as lymph node metastasis, lymphatic, vascular, or deep stromal invasion, should receive postoperative adjuvant RT. RH + PLND and adjuvant RT is considered an aggressive treatment and, generally, treatment-related toxicities, such as adhesive intestinal obstruction, or lymphatic edema of the lower extremities, increases compared to surgery or RT alone. Kashima et al. evaluated 149 patients with cervical cancer treated with RH or combined with postoperative RT between 1990 and 2004 (Kashima et al., 2010). Of the 149 patients, 41 were over 60 years, and 105 were under 59 years. The complications were significantly higher in the elderly patients and especially in those treated with RH combined with postoperative RT. In our study, 5 patients aged ≥ 75 years were treated with surgery (RH + PLND) and adjuvant RT. Three of the 5 patients experienced Grade 3 acute toxicity and 1 of the 5 patients experienced Grade 3 late toxicity. The results of these reports indicated that surgery and adjuvant RT were not safe for elderly patients. If adjuvant RT is necessary for elderly patients, IMRT may be used to limit severe toxicity.

Overall, the standard surgical approach RH + PLND is generally safe for patients aged over 60 or 65 years. However, the safety of RH + PLND for patients aged over 70 or 75 years is still unclear. Surgery and adjuvant RT must be performed with careful evaluation of pretreatment clinical staging, concurrent medical problems, and performance status for these age groups because severe life-threatening treatment-related toxicity may occur. More large-scale studies should be performed to confirm the safety of surgical approaches, including adjuvant RT for elderly patients.

#### **4. Concurrent CRT for elderly patients**

Concurrent CRT for elderly patients should also be discussed. Generally, in the treatment of cervical cancer, concurrent CRT is recommended, especially for locally advanced disease (Eifel et al., 2004; Rose et al, 1999; Whitney et al, 1999 and Pearcey et al., 2002). Weekly cisplatin (CDDP) is the most frequently used regimen. Concurrent CRT is also regarded as important for elderly patients because stage III-IVA disease usually cannot be cured by definitive RT alone. Therefore, CRT should be considered if the elderly patient is in good condition. Goodheart et al. retrospectively evaluated 96 patients treated with definitive RT between 1997 and 2001 (Goodheart et al., 2008). In their report, patients were divided into 2 groups: nonelderly (< 65, n = 69) and elderly (≥ 65, n = 27). Chemotherapy administration was considered when the performance status and laboratory values were acceptable. Most of the patients were administered weekly CDDP. In the nonelderly group, 54 of 78 (78%) patients were treated with CRT, and, in the elderly group, 15 of 27 (56%) patients were treated with CRT. The 5-year CSS rates in the CRT and RT group were 68.5% and 49.7%, respectively. The 5-year CSS rates in the nonelderly and elderly groups were 61.6% and 70.8%, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed a survival advantage for the administration of chemotherapy in addition to RT, and complication rates between the 2 groups were similar. They concluded that CRT was associated with improved survival in elderly patients who had adequate performance status with no excess treatment-related morbidity when compared to younger patients. Kunos et al. also examined 335 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with CRT using weekly CDDP (Kunos et al., 2009). Patients were also divided into 2 groups: age < 55 years (n = 232) and age ≥ 55 years (n = 103). In their report, the survival of patients aged 55 or older was similar to that of the younger patients. The severity and frequency of treatment-related sequelae were also

Patients treated with RH + PLND with pathological risk factors, such as lymph node metastasis, lymphatic, vascular, or deep stromal invasion, should receive postoperative adjuvant RT. RH + PLND and adjuvant RT is considered an aggressive treatment and, generally, treatment-related toxicities, such as adhesive intestinal obstruction, or lymphatic edema of the lower extremities, increases compared to surgery or RT alone. Kashima et al. evaluated 149 patients with cervical cancer treated with RH or combined with postoperative RT between 1990 and 2004 (Kashima et al., 2010). Of the 149 patients, 41 were over 60 years, and 105 were under 59 years. The complications were significantly higher in the elderly patients and especially in those treated with RH combined with postoperative RT. In our study, 5 patients aged ≥ 75 years were treated with surgery (RH + PLND) and adjuvant RT. Three of the 5 patients experienced Grade 3 acute toxicity and 1 of the 5 patients experienced Grade 3 late toxicity. The results of these reports indicated that surgery and adjuvant RT were not safe for elderly patients. If adjuvant RT is necessary for elderly patients, IMRT may

Overall, the standard surgical approach RH + PLND is generally safe for patients aged over 60 or 65 years. However, the safety of RH + PLND for patients aged over 70 or 75 years is still unclear. Surgery and adjuvant RT must be performed with careful evaluation of pretreatment clinical staging, concurrent medical problems, and performance status for these age groups because severe life-threatening treatment-related toxicity may occur. More large-scale studies should be performed to confirm the safety of surgical approaches,

Concurrent CRT for elderly patients should also be discussed. Generally, in the treatment of cervical cancer, concurrent CRT is recommended, especially for locally advanced disease (Eifel et al., 2004; Rose et al, 1999; Whitney et al, 1999 and Pearcey et al., 2002). Weekly cisplatin (CDDP) is the most frequently used regimen. Concurrent CRT is also regarded as important for elderly patients because stage III-IVA disease usually cannot be cured by definitive RT alone. Therefore, CRT should be considered if the elderly patient is in good condition. Goodheart et al. retrospectively evaluated 96 patients treated with definitive RT between 1997 and 2001 (Goodheart et al., 2008). In their report, patients were divided into 2 groups: nonelderly (< 65, n = 69) and elderly (≥ 65, n = 27). Chemotherapy administration was considered when the performance status and laboratory values were acceptable. Most of the patients were administered weekly CDDP. In the nonelderly group, 54 of 78 (78%) patients were treated with CRT, and, in the elderly group, 15 of 27 (56%) patients were treated with CRT. The 5-year CSS rates in the CRT and RT group were 68.5% and 49.7%, respectively. The 5-year CSS rates in the nonelderly and elderly groups were 61.6% and 70.8%, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed a survival advantage for the administration of chemotherapy in addition to RT, and complication rates between the 2 groups were similar. They concluded that CRT was associated with improved survival in elderly patients who had adequate performance status with no excess treatment-related morbidity when compared to younger patients. Kunos et al. also examined 335 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with CRT using weekly CDDP (Kunos et al., 2009). Patients were also divided into 2 groups: age < 55 years (n = 232) and age ≥ 55 years (n = 103). In their report, the survival of patients aged 55 or older was similar to that of the younger patients. The severity and frequency of treatment-related sequelae were also

be used to limit severe toxicity.

including adjuvant RT for elderly patients.

**4. Concurrent CRT for elderly patients** 

similar. These authors emphasized that CRT for elderly patients was effective and safe, but they defined "elderly" as "≥ 65 years" or "≥ 55 years", in accordance with the reports about RH. These age groups are usually not defined as "elderly." Therefore, whether concurrent CRT is safe for elderly patients aged over 70 years or 75 years or older remains unclear.

However, to achieve further improvement in survival outcomes for elderly patients with cervical cancer, especially locally advanced disease, CRT is a necessary modality. After performing large and prospective studies, concurrent CRT for selected patients aged ≥ 70 or 75 years may provide excellent outcomes with acceptable toxicity. Published reports about elderly patients with cervical cancer are described in Table 2.


RT: Radiotherapy, CRT: Concurrent chemoradiation, OS: Overall survival, CSS: Cause specific survival Table 2. Published reports about elderly patients with cercical cancer

#### **5. Conclusions**

Selection of treatment modalities for elderly patients with cervical cancer is often limited compared to younger patients, but definitive RT, a combination of EBRT and ICBT is effective and safe. Indications for a surgical approach with or without adjuvant RT or concurrent CRT are still unclear because these aggressive modalities may cause severe treatment-related toxicity, especially for elderly patients. However, for locally advanced disease, CRT is an effective treatment. Therefore, large and prospective studies using CRT for patients aged at least ≥ 70 years with cervical cancer are needed. For RT, new techniques,

Cervical Cancer Treatment in Aging Women 113

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Pearcey, R.; Brundage, M.; Drouin, P.; Jeffrey, J.; Johnston, D.; Lukka, H.; MacLean, G.;

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Rose, PG.; Bundy, BN.; Watkins, EB.; TClarke-Pearson, DL. & Insalaco S. (1999) Concurrent

Sakurai, H.; Mitsuhashi, N.; Takahashi, M.; Yamakawa, M.; Akimoto, T.; Hayakawa, K.; &

Whitney, CW.; Sause, W.; Bundy, BN.; Malfetano, JH.; Hannigan, EV.; Fowler, WC Jr.;

Wright, JD.; Gibb, RK.; Geevarghese, S.; Powell, MA.; Herzog, TJ.; Mutch, DG.; Grigsby,

Yamashita, H.; Nakagawa, K.; Tago, M.; Shiraishi, K.; Nakamura, N.; Ohtomo, K.; Oda, K.;

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Clarke-Pearson, DL. & Liao, SY. (1999). Randomized comparison of fluorouracil plus cisplatin versus hydroxyurea as an adjunct to radiation therapy in stage IIB-IVA carcinoma of the cervix with negative para-aortic lymph nodes: a Gynecologic Oncology Group and Southwest Oncology Group study. *J Clin Oncol.* Vol, 17(5),

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such as IMRT, IGBT or a combination of both, may help to reduce the RT-induced toxicity in both definitive and adjuvant treatment. In the near future, IMRT combined with IGBT with or without new chemotherapeutic regimens will be the standard cervical cancer treatment in aging women.

#### **6. References**


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**7** 

*Thailand* 

**Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based** 

Cervical cancer is a major public health problem. Worldwide, it is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. Approximately 500,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer have been diagnosed each year with more than 250,000 women dying of the disease. It is the most or second most common cancer among women in developing countries. In Thailand, a low-resource country, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer in women, with nearly 10,000 new cases diagnosed and more than 5,200 dying from this disease each year (Ferlay et al., 2010). The incidence and mortality have declined during the last 50 years in developed countries because of increased availability of cervical cancer screening programs (Nieminen et al., 1995). However, cervical cancer continues to be a

Screening is the use of methods to distinguish apparently unaffected people from those who may have a disease, or may develop it. It is a preliminary process to offer a diagnostic test and if required, treatment. Screening test is usually applied on a large scale and are generally offered to a population of people who have not sought medical attention on account of symptoms of the disease. The purpose of screening is to benefit the individuals being screened. Screening procedures are generally easier to perform and cheaper than diagnostic procedures. Although the screening test is harmless, it can cause anxiety and the subsequent investigations and treatment can be hazardous. Screening methods should provide the most attractive combination of negative predictive value (e.g., reassurance) and false positives that is attainable in a given setting and providers should ensure that a useful

The most widely used screening method for cervical cancer is conventional cytology (conventional Pap smear). Nowadays, conventional cytology is still considered a standard screening method worldwide, especially in developing countries. Conventional cytology has been being used as a standard screening method for cervical cancer in Siriraj Hospital since 1952. This cytological testing involves three major steps, i.e. collecting exfoliated cells from

leading cause of cancer deaths in populations with a low socioeconomic level.

remedy is available for all individuals identified as being true positive.

**1. Introduction** 

**2. Cervical cancer screening** 

**Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting** 

Mongkol Benjapibal and Somsak Laiwejpithaya

*Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,* 

*Mahidol University, Bangkok* 

surgery and radiotherapy for FIGO stage I-II cervical carcinoma: a retrospective Japanese study. *Gynecol Oncol.* Vol. 97(3), pp. 834-9, ISSN 0090-8258

Yoshida, K.; Sasaki, R.; Nishimura, H.; Miyawaki, D.; Kawabe, T.; Okamoto, Y.; Nakabayashi, K.; Yoshida, S. & Sugimura K. (2011). Radiotherapy for Japanese elderly patients with cervical cancer: preliminary survival outcomes and evaluation of treatment-related toxicity. *Arch Gynecol Obstet.* Vol. 284(4), pp. 1007-14, ISSN 0932-0067

### **Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting**

Mongkol Benjapibal and Somsak Laiwejpithaya *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,* 

*Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand* 

#### **1. Introduction**

114 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Yoshida, K.; Sasaki, R.; Nishimura, H.; Miyawaki, D.; Kawabe, T.; Okamoto, Y.;

Japanese study. *Gynecol Oncol.* Vol. 97(3), pp. 834-9, ISSN 0090-8258

0932-0067

surgery and radiotherapy for FIGO stage I-II cervical carcinoma: a retrospective

Nakabayashi, K.; Yoshida, S. & Sugimura K. (2011). Radiotherapy for Japanese elderly patients with cervical cancer: preliminary survival outcomes and evaluation of treatment-related toxicity. *Arch Gynecol Obstet.* Vol. 284(4), pp. 1007-14, ISSN

> Cervical cancer is a major public health problem. Worldwide, it is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. Approximately 500,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer have been diagnosed each year with more than 250,000 women dying of the disease. It is the most or second most common cancer among women in developing countries. In Thailand, a low-resource country, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer in women, with nearly 10,000 new cases diagnosed and more than 5,200 dying from this disease each year (Ferlay et al., 2010). The incidence and mortality have declined during the last 50 years in developed countries because of increased availability of cervical cancer screening programs (Nieminen et al., 1995). However, cervical cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer deaths in populations with a low socioeconomic level.

#### **2. Cervical cancer screening**

Screening is the use of methods to distinguish apparently unaffected people from those who may have a disease, or may develop it. It is a preliminary process to offer a diagnostic test and if required, treatment. Screening test is usually applied on a large scale and are generally offered to a population of people who have not sought medical attention on account of symptoms of the disease. The purpose of screening is to benefit the individuals being screened. Screening procedures are generally easier to perform and cheaper than diagnostic procedures. Although the screening test is harmless, it can cause anxiety and the subsequent investigations and treatment can be hazardous. Screening methods should provide the most attractive combination of negative predictive value (e.g., reassurance) and false positives that is attainable in a given setting and providers should ensure that a useful remedy is available for all individuals identified as being true positive.

The most widely used screening method for cervical cancer is conventional cytology (conventional Pap smear). Nowadays, conventional cytology is still considered a standard screening method worldwide, especially in developing countries. Conventional cytology has been being used as a standard screening method for cervical cancer in Siriraj Hospital since 1952. This cytological testing involves three major steps, i.e. collecting exfoliated cells from

Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 117

Fig. 1. Collecting devices for Siriraj-LBC: a 30-mL plastic bottle containing 10 mL of Siriraj liquid-based solution (A), and an extended-tip plastic spatula, arrow heads showing scores

pour the suspension into a 15-mL centrifuge test tube; centrifuge the specimen at 1000 g. for 10 min, and discard the supernatant; add Siriraj liquid-based solution (approximately 3 times of the sediment volume); agitate the test tube for 10 sec, aspirate 15-20 μL of the sample by using an auto-pipette, drop the sample onto a clean glass slide, smear the droplet to 2 cm in diameter, and let air dry at room temperature for 30 min; fix the slide in 95% ethanol for 20 minutes, and finally stain it with the routine Papanicolaou's staining technique (Figure 2).

Before a new screening or diagnostic tool is introduced into clinical use, it is necessary to evaluate its diagnostic performance. The best way for this evaluation is to compare the result from the new tool with that from the gold standard, revealing the performance parameters including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), false positive (FP), false negative (FN), and accuracy of the test. However, such parameters cannot be obtained in studies evaluating performance of cervical cytology methods because not all of the study population undergoes the gold standard testing, i.e. colposcopy or cervical histology. The gold standard is mostly lacking in the group of patients who have normal cervical cytology. Therefore, numerous studies have evaluated the comparative performance of the LBC methods and conventional cytology with respect to test positivity, i.e. the detection rate of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Most studies have utilized one to two types of study design, i.e. "split-sample" or "direct-tovial" study. With "split-sample" study, it is difficult to ensure that the two cytology specimens are comparable, since the specimen for conventional cytology slide is collected before the specimen for LBC. Therefore, this design seems to lead inherently to bias against LBC. With "direct-to-vial" study, the result of LBC is compared with that of conventional smear from historical data of an identical population; however, it is not certain that the two

on the spatula (B)

**3.2 Performance of Siriraj-LBC** 

the cervix, spreading the cells onto a slide, and microscopically examining these cells after staining. Collection of specimens for conventional cytology is performed according to the standard vaginal-cervical-endocervical (VCE) smear technique. A wooden (Ayre's) spatula and a cotton swab are used to collect cells from the posterior fornix, portio vaginalis and endocervix. The collected cells are then spread onto a glass slide and immediately immersed in 95% ethanol for fixation. Despite the proven effectiveness of cervical cytology screening in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, over the last decade the accuracy of cervical cytology has been questioned. Two large meta-analyses have indicated that although the specificity of conventional cervical cytology is high, its sensitivity is much lower than previously estimated (Fahey et al., 1995; Nanda et al., 2000). Errors due to poor sampling and partial transferring of the collected sample onto a glass slide, consequently producing a nonrepresentative specimen, may account for up to 62% of false negative results (Gay et al., 1985).

#### **3. Siriraj liquid-based cytology**

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) was introduced in the mid-1990s as a way to improve performance of the test. LBC can improve specimen quality by providing a standardized method of collecting cervicovaginal material, and dispersing cells in a thin layer with relatively free of inflammation (Austin et al.,1998; Mount et al.,2004; Vassilakos et al.,2002). This results in the decrease in incidence of unsatisfactory smears and increase in detection rate of cytologic abnormality (Bolick et al.,1998; Corkill et al.,1998; Diaz-Rosario et al.,1999; Dupree et al.,1998; Fremont-Smith et al.,2004; Papillo et al.,1998; Roberts et al.,1997). Besides, the leftover specimen for LBC can also be used for HPV DNA testing which is currently incorporated into the management guidelines and post-therapy surveillance of the patient in some institutes. Recently, a number of different LBC techniques are available worldwide. ThinPrep® and SurePath™ are prototypes of LBC technology. They have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cervical cancer screening in the USA and are the most commonly used LBC techniques (Bishop et al., 1998; Lee et al., 1997). LBC was introduced as a cervical cancer screening technique in Thailand in 1997. Nowadays there are at least three commercially available LBC in Thailand, e.g. ThinPrep®, SurePath™, and Liqui-Prep®. Despite of their reputation, these LBC are still not in general use because of their cost. In the year 2005, we have developed an alcohol-based preservative solution, Siriraj liquidbased solution, and applied a modified Saccomanno's technique for cells preparation in our institute, and named this technology as the "Siriraj liquid-based cytology" or "Siriraj-LBC". The collection of specimens for Siriraj-LBC is similar to that for conventional cytology, except that a special plastic spatula is used instead of the Ayre's spatula and cotton swab. The plastic spatula has an extended endocervical tip at one end and a rounded rectangular tip at the other end, and scores at 4 cm from each end to facilitate spatula breaking (Figure 1). Immediately after cell collection, both ends of the spatula are manually broken at the scores, and put into a 30 mL plastic bottle containing 10 mL of Siriraj liquid-based solution.

#### **3.1 Processing of Siriraj-LBC**

The cell specimens are collected in bottles containing Siriraj liquid-based solution and keep at room temperature until processing. Siriraj-LBC slides are prepared according to the following steps (Bales, 2006) : agitate the bottle of specimen on a vortex mixer for 10 sec, and

Fig. 1. Collecting devices for Siriraj-LBC: a 30-mL plastic bottle containing 10 mL of Siriraj liquid-based solution (A), and an extended-tip plastic spatula, arrow heads showing scores on the spatula (B)

pour the suspension into a 15-mL centrifuge test tube; centrifuge the specimen at 1000 g. for 10 min, and discard the supernatant; add Siriraj liquid-based solution (approximately 3 times of the sediment volume); agitate the test tube for 10 sec, aspirate 15-20 μL of the sample by using an auto-pipette, drop the sample onto a clean glass slide, smear the droplet to 2 cm in diameter, and let air dry at room temperature for 30 min; fix the slide in 95% ethanol for 20 minutes, and finally stain it with the routine Papanicolaou's staining technique (Figure 2).

#### **3.2 Performance of Siriraj-LBC**

116 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

the cervix, spreading the cells onto a slide, and microscopically examining these cells after staining. Collection of specimens for conventional cytology is performed according to the standard vaginal-cervical-endocervical (VCE) smear technique. A wooden (Ayre's) spatula and a cotton swab are used to collect cells from the posterior fornix, portio vaginalis and endocervix. The collected cells are then spread onto a glass slide and immediately immersed in 95% ethanol for fixation. Despite the proven effectiveness of cervical cytology screening in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, over the last decade the accuracy of cervical cytology has been questioned. Two large meta-analyses have indicated that although the specificity of conventional cervical cytology is high, its sensitivity is much lower than previously estimated (Fahey et al., 1995; Nanda et al., 2000). Errors due to poor sampling and partial transferring of the collected sample onto a glass slide, consequently producing a nonrepresentative specimen, may account for up to 62% of false negative results (Gay et al.,

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) was introduced in the mid-1990s as a way to improve performance of the test. LBC can improve specimen quality by providing a standardized method of collecting cervicovaginal material, and dispersing cells in a thin layer with relatively free of inflammation (Austin et al.,1998; Mount et al.,2004; Vassilakos et al.,2002). This results in the decrease in incidence of unsatisfactory smears and increase in detection rate of cytologic abnormality (Bolick et al.,1998; Corkill et al.,1998; Diaz-Rosario et al.,1999; Dupree et al.,1998; Fremont-Smith et al.,2004; Papillo et al.,1998; Roberts et al.,1997). Besides, the leftover specimen for LBC can also be used for HPV DNA testing which is currently incorporated into the management guidelines and post-therapy surveillance of the patient in some institutes. Recently, a number of different LBC techniques are available worldwide. ThinPrep® and SurePath™ are prototypes of LBC technology. They have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cervical cancer screening in the USA and are the most commonly used LBC techniques (Bishop et al., 1998; Lee et al., 1997). LBC was introduced as a cervical cancer screening technique in Thailand in 1997. Nowadays there are at least three commercially available LBC in Thailand, e.g. ThinPrep®, SurePath™, and Liqui-Prep®. Despite of their reputation, these LBC are still not in general use because of their cost. In the year 2005, we have developed an alcohol-based preservative solution, Siriraj liquidbased solution, and applied a modified Saccomanno's technique for cells preparation in our institute, and named this technology as the "Siriraj liquid-based cytology" or "Siriraj-LBC". The collection of specimens for Siriraj-LBC is similar to that for conventional cytology, except that a special plastic spatula is used instead of the Ayre's spatula and cotton swab. The plastic spatula has an extended endocervical tip at one end and a rounded rectangular tip at the other end, and scores at 4 cm from each end to facilitate spatula breaking (Figure 1). Immediately after cell collection, both ends of the spatula are manually broken at the scores,

and put into a 30 mL plastic bottle containing 10 mL of Siriraj liquid-based solution.

The cell specimens are collected in bottles containing Siriraj liquid-based solution and keep at room temperature until processing. Siriraj-LBC slides are prepared according to the following steps (Bales, 2006) : agitate the bottle of specimen on a vortex mixer for 10 sec, and

1985).

**3. Siriraj liquid-based cytology** 

**3.1 Processing of Siriraj-LBC** 

Before a new screening or diagnostic tool is introduced into clinical use, it is necessary to evaluate its diagnostic performance. The best way for this evaluation is to compare the result from the new tool with that from the gold standard, revealing the performance parameters including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), false positive (FP), false negative (FN), and accuracy of the test. However, such parameters cannot be obtained in studies evaluating performance of cervical cytology methods because not all of the study population undergoes the gold standard testing, i.e. colposcopy or cervical histology. The gold standard is mostly lacking in the group of patients who have normal cervical cytology. Therefore, numerous studies have evaluated the comparative performance of the LBC methods and conventional cytology with respect to test positivity, i.e. the detection rate of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Most studies have utilized one to two types of study design, i.e. "split-sample" or "direct-tovial" study. With "split-sample" study, it is difficult to ensure that the two cytology specimens are comparable, since the specimen for conventional cytology slide is collected before the specimen for LBC. Therefore, this design seems to lead inherently to bias against LBC. With "direct-to-vial" study, the result of LBC is compared with that of conventional smear from historical data of an identical population; however, it is not certain that the two

Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 119

Fig. 3. Micrographs of cervical cytology using Siriraj-LBC at high magnification: normal (A), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (B), atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (C), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion with koilocytosis (D), high-

or gynecologists who were staff members of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The collected cells were initially prepared for conventional cytology. Leftover cells in the collecting instruments were then collected for Siriraj-LBC by putting the instruments into a

grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (E), and squamous cell carcinoma (F)

Fig. 2. Stained slides of Siriraj-LBC and conventional smears (A); micrographs of cervical cytology at low magnification: conventional smear (B1), Siriraj-LBC smear (B2)

populations are identical. The diagnostic performance of our home-made LBC has been evaluated in both the "split-sample" study and "direct-to-vial" study.

#### **3.3 A split-sample study (Laiwejpithaya et al., 2008)**

#### **3.3.1 Study population and specimen processing**

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University from January to February 2005. Study population were randomly selected from women attending for pelvic examination and cervical cancer screening at the Gynecologic Outpatient Department, Siriraj Hospital during the study period, excluding the women who had previously undergone any surgical procedures of the cervix, were pregnant or suspected of being pregnant, used any kinds of vaginal preparations within previous 24 hours, or denied to participate in the study. Specimens were collected for "split-sample" study by residents

Fig. 2. Stained slides of Siriraj-LBC and conventional smears (A); micrographs of cervical

populations are identical. The diagnostic performance of our home-made LBC has been

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University from January to February 2005. Study population were randomly selected from women attending for pelvic examination and cervical cancer screening at the Gynecologic Outpatient Department, Siriraj Hospital during the study period, excluding the women who had previously undergone any surgical procedures of the cervix, were pregnant or suspected of being pregnant, used any kinds of vaginal preparations within previous 24 hours, or denied to participate in the study. Specimens were collected for "split-sample" study by residents

cytology at low magnification: conventional smear (B1), Siriraj-LBC smear (B2)

evaluated in both the "split-sample" study and "direct-to-vial" study.

**3.3 A split-sample study (Laiwejpithaya et al., 2008) 3.3.1 Study population and specimen processing** 

Fig. 3. Micrographs of cervical cytology using Siriraj-LBC at high magnification: normal (A), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (B), atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (C), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion with koilocytosis (D), highgrade squamous intraepithelial lesion (E), and squamous cell carcinoma (F)

or gynecologists who were staff members of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The collected cells were initially prepared for conventional cytology. Leftover cells in the collecting instruments were then collected for Siriraj-LBC by putting the instruments into a

Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 121

Finding Conventional Siriraj-LBC P-value

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Rattanachaiyanont, M.; Benjapibal, M.; Khuakoonratt, N.; Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquidbased and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample

Table 1. Detection Rates of Abnormal Cervical Cytology by Conventional Cytology and

Negative **426** 0 0 0 0 0 ASCUS 18 **0** 0 0 0 0 ASC-H 7 0 **0** 0 0 0 LSIL 12 2 0 **1** 0 0 HSIL 6 0 1 1 **2** 0 Cancer 2 0 0 0 0 **1**  (Data are number of cases. Identical diagnoses are shown in bold; cases with negative diagnosis by conventional cytology but abnormal diagnoses by Siriraj-LBC are in red; Spearman rho correlation =

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Rattanachaiyanont, M.; Benjapibal, M.; Khuakoonratt, N.; Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquidbased and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample

Table 2. Comparison of Cytological Diagnoses between Conventional Cytology and Siriraj-

predictive value (PPV) of 71.1% whereas conventional cytology had PPV and negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.7% and 31.6%, respectively. None of the ASCUS had cervical lesions beyond CIN1. Seven cases of ASC-H was found in Siriraj-LBC but only one in conventional cytology; one in seven (14.28%) of ASC-H had cervical lesion of CIN2/3. The Siriraj-LBC did not miss any high grade cervical lesions (CIN2/3 or cancer) but overdiagnosed cancer in one case; whereas conventional cytology failed to detect 3/6 (50%) cases

The present study used the data of the year 2005 when the Siriraj-LBC was undergoing the development process. We found that the detection rate of abnormal cells in Siriraj-LBC (11.06%) was much higher than that in the conventional cytology (1.67%). Even though the "split-sample" study has potential bias against LBC, we were not encountered with this problem. It was possible that the specimen processing in the Siriraj-LBC, especially the

Negative ASCUS ASC-H LSIL HSIL Cancer

Overall 8 (1.67) 53 (11.1) <0.001

ASCUS 2 (0.42) 18 (3.76) ASC-H 1 (0.21) 7 (1.46) LSIL 2 (0.42) 15 (3.13) HSIL 2 (0.42) 10 (2.09) Cancer 1 (0.21) 3 (0.63)

Siriraj-LBC Conventional cytology

[Data are n (%). The data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.]

study. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 575-580.

study. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 575-580.

Siriraj-LBC

0.394, Kappa = 0.128, P <0.001.)

LBC in 479 Pairs of Samples

**3.3.4 Discussion** 

of CIN2/3 and 1/2 (50%) cases of cancer.

30 mL plastic bottle containing 10 mL of Siriraj liquid-based solution. Specimens for both techniques were transported to the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, and processed by experienced technicians. All of the slides were screened by a team of cytotechnologists. The abnormal slides were reviewed and diagnosis made by an experienced cytopathologist. Examples of various abnormal cervical cells are shown in Figure 3. Evaluation of slides for conventional cytology and Siriraj-LBC was made in a blind fashion, i.e. the interpretations of the results from one technique were made without knowledge of those from the other technique. The cytological interpretation was made according to the Bethesda system 2001 as followed: negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, reactive or reparative change, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), atypical glandular cells (AGC), or adenocarcinoma (Solomon et al., 2002). Clinical management of abnormal cytology includes referral to colposcopy and treatment according to the guideline of Siriraj Hospital. The patients with cytology results of ASCUS or LSIL were suggested to have either colposcopy or repeat cervical cytology testing, and those with ASC-H, HSIL or more aggressive ones were referred to colposcopy.

#### **3.3.2 Performance of cytology as a screening test**

The performance of cytology was evaluated from detection rate of abnormal cervicovaginal cytology, and predictive values using colposcopy and/or histology as the gold standard. The data for calculating positive predictive value (PPV) were obtained from the patients who had abnormal results of Siriraj-LBC, and underwent operative procedures revealing histology. Those procedures included colposcopic directed cervical biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold-knife conization, and hysterectomy. The data were presented in n (%), or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), as appropriate. Percentage of agreement was used to determine the diagnostic agreement between pairs of specimens evaluated by conventional cytology and Siriraj-LBC. Kappa and Spearman rho correlation coefficient were used to determine correlation of result between pairs of specimens. Chi-square test was used to compare frequency between the two cytology techniques. All tests were 2-sided, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

#### **3.3.3 Results**

There were 479 participants recruited during the study period. Their mean age was 41.6+12.6 years. The Siriraj-LBC significantly increased overall detection rate of abnormal cytology compared to the conventional method, i.e. from 1.67% to 11.1%, P < 0.001 (Table 1). The data yielded a complete diagnostic agreement of 430 of 479 pairs of specimens (89.8%). Among these, HSIL was detected in both specimens in 2 cases and cancer in 1 case. There were 49 cases whose Siriraj-LBC revealed higher cytologic grading than the conventional cytology did; whereas, none of the conventional cytology showed the vise versa result. The highest disagreement was found in 18 cases which were interpreted as normal by conventional cytology, but as ASCUS by Siriraj-LBC. As a result, these two cytology techniques had minimal to fair correlation with a Kappa of 0.128 (P < 0.001) and a Spearman rho correlation coefficient of 0.394 (P < 0.001) (Table 2).

Table 3 reveals final diagnoses by colposcopy or histology in 45 patients with abnormal cytological diagnoses by Siriraj-LBC. In this specific group, the Siriraj-LBC had a positive


[Data are n (%). The data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.]

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Rattanachaiyanont, M.; Benjapibal, M.; Khuakoonratt, N.; Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquidbased and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample study. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 575-580.

Table 1. Detection Rates of Abnormal Cervical Cytology by Conventional Cytology and Siriraj-LBC


(Data are number of cases. Identical diagnoses are shown in bold; cases with negative diagnosis by conventional cytology but abnormal diagnoses by Siriraj-LBC are in red; Spearman rho correlation = 0.394, Kappa = 0.128, P <0.001.)

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Rattanachaiyanont, M.; Benjapibal, M.; Khuakoonratt, N.; Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquidbased and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample study. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 575-580.

Table 2. Comparison of Cytological Diagnoses between Conventional Cytology and Siriraj-LBC in 479 Pairs of Samples

predictive value (PPV) of 71.1% whereas conventional cytology had PPV and negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.7% and 31.6%, respectively. None of the ASCUS had cervical lesions beyond CIN1. Seven cases of ASC-H was found in Siriraj-LBC but only one in conventional cytology; one in seven (14.28%) of ASC-H had cervical lesion of CIN2/3. The Siriraj-LBC did not miss any high grade cervical lesions (CIN2/3 or cancer) but overdiagnosed cancer in one case; whereas conventional cytology failed to detect 3/6 (50%) cases of CIN2/3 and 1/2 (50%) cases of cancer.

#### **3.3.4 Discussion**

120 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

30 mL plastic bottle containing 10 mL of Siriraj liquid-based solution. Specimens for both techniques were transported to the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, and processed by experienced technicians. All of the slides were screened by a team of cytotechnologists. The abnormal slides were reviewed and diagnosis made by an experienced cytopathologist. Examples of various abnormal cervical cells are shown in Figure 3. Evaluation of slides for conventional cytology and Siriraj-LBC was made in a blind fashion, i.e. the interpretations of the results from one technique were made without knowledge of those from the other technique. The cytological interpretation was made according to the Bethesda system 2001 as followed: negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, reactive or reparative change, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), atypical glandular cells (AGC), or adenocarcinoma (Solomon et al., 2002). Clinical management of abnormal cytology includes referral to colposcopy and treatment according to the guideline of Siriraj Hospital. The patients with cytology results of ASCUS or LSIL were suggested to have either colposcopy or repeat cervical cytology testing, and those with ASC-H, HSIL or

The performance of cytology was evaluated from detection rate of abnormal cervicovaginal cytology, and predictive values using colposcopy and/or histology as the gold standard. The data for calculating positive predictive value (PPV) were obtained from the patients who had abnormal results of Siriraj-LBC, and underwent operative procedures revealing histology. Those procedures included colposcopic directed cervical biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold-knife conization, and hysterectomy. The data were presented in n (%), or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), as appropriate. Percentage of agreement was used to determine the diagnostic agreement between pairs of specimens evaluated by conventional cytology and Siriraj-LBC. Kappa and Spearman rho correlation coefficient were used to determine correlation of result between pairs of specimens. Chi-square test was used to compare frequency between the two cytology techniques. All tests were 2-sided, and a P

There were 479 participants recruited during the study period. Their mean age was 41.6+12.6 years. The Siriraj-LBC significantly increased overall detection rate of abnormal cytology compared to the conventional method, i.e. from 1.67% to 11.1%, P < 0.001 (Table 1). The data yielded a complete diagnostic agreement of 430 of 479 pairs of specimens (89.8%). Among these, HSIL was detected in both specimens in 2 cases and cancer in 1 case. There were 49 cases whose Siriraj-LBC revealed higher cytologic grading than the conventional cytology did; whereas, none of the conventional cytology showed the vise versa result. The highest disagreement was found in 18 cases which were interpreted as normal by conventional cytology, but as ASCUS by Siriraj-LBC. As a result, these two cytology techniques had minimal to fair correlation with a Kappa of 0.128 (P < 0.001) and a Spearman

Table 3 reveals final diagnoses by colposcopy or histology in 45 patients with abnormal cytological diagnoses by Siriraj-LBC. In this specific group, the Siriraj-LBC had a positive

more aggressive ones were referred to colposcopy.

**3.3.2 Performance of cytology as a screening test** 

value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

rho correlation coefficient of 0.394 (P < 0.001) (Table 2).

**3.3.3 Results** 

The present study used the data of the year 2005 when the Siriraj-LBC was undergoing the development process. We found that the detection rate of abnormal cells in Siriraj-LBC (11.06%) was much higher than that in the conventional cytology (1.67%). Even though the "split-sample" study has potential bias against LBC, we were not encountered with this problem. It was possible that the specimen processing in the Siriraj-LBC, especially the

Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 123

false negative and false positive rates, as the actual rates cannot be obtained due to the

The high false positive result by Siriraj-LBC caused only little concern. Considering that only HSIL or cancer needs further invasive investigation, e.g. conization and/or diagnostic curettage, two in 45 cases had risk of unnecessary further investigation if the Siriraj-LBC was used in place of conventional cytology; this risk returned with the benefit of detecting three more cases of CIN2/3 and one case of cancer which were cases with false negative result in the conventional cytology. Noteworthy, the missing cancer in conventional cytology was a

Our limited data showed that the conventional cytology had high false negative result where as the Siriraj-LBC had high false positive result. It is estimated that approximately two thirds of false negative result in the conventional cytology are caused by sampling error due to limited transfer of cells from the collecting device onto the slide (Gay et al., 1985). The false positive result in the Siriraj-LBC was due to the increase in all types of abnormal epithelial cells. This may be due to the misinterpretation of immature squamous metaplastic or atrophic cells to be abnormal cells because the morphologies of these cells are alike. Moreover these cells could be more easily detected in the Siriraj-LBC than in the conventional cytology because of the better quality of slide. However, we could not disregard the fact that our novice in the LBC field also contributed to this false positive. We

Our result was compatible with many previous reports. Nanda et al (2000) reviewed the accuracy of conventional and new methods of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing to detect cervical cancer and its precursors. Ninety-four studies of the conventional Pap test showed that, estimates of sensitivity and specificity varied greatly in individual studies. In the 12 studies with the least biased, estimates sensitivity ranged from 30-80% and specificity ranged from 86-100%. Guo et al (2005) evaluated the accuracy of a LBC test, ThinPrep®, by comparing concurrent LBC and cervical biopsy results of 782 patients who were referred for colposcopy because of previously abnormal conventional cytology. They found that concurrent LBC has high diagnostic accuracy for SIL. Besides, several studies showed that the detection rates of LSIL and HSIL are improved by LBC but the effect of LBC on the detection of ASC-US is

The results from Siriraj-LBC and conventional cytology have high diagnostic agreement and minimal to fair correlation. The Siriraj-LBC increases detection rate of abnormal cervicovaginal cells with probably decrease false negative but increase false positive from the baseline values by conventional cytology. Therefore the screening performance of Siriraj-LBC is not inferior to the conventional cytology and may be used as an alternative screening

The study was carried out in the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Data were retrieved from the database of the Gynecologic Cytology Unit. The data of conventional cytology and

case of peritoneal adenocarcinoma without lesion at the uterine cervix.

expect to get better results of this technique in the future.

uncertain (Limaye et al., 2003; Mount et al., 2004).

**3.4 A direct-to-vial study (Laiwejpithaya et al., 2009) 3.4.1 Study population and specimen processing** 

method for cervical cancer.

limitation of this kind of study.


(Cytological vs. histological diagnoses: aadenocarcinoma of endometrium vs normal, badenocarcinoma of unknown origin vs. adenocarcinoma of peritoneum, and cadenocarcinoma of endometrium vs. squamous cell carcinoma. CIN = cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, HPV = human papilloma virus infection, NA = not applicable)

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Rattanachaiyanont, M.; Benjapibal, M.; Khuakoonratt, N.; Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquidbased and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample study. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 575-580.

Table 3. Final Diagnoses by Colposcopy or Histology in 45 patients with Abnormal Cytological Diagnoses

agitation of collecting devices in the liquid-based solution would elude the entrapped cells into the solution, therefore more cells were collected into the solution, and then evenly sampling to put onto a glass slide. We found that the complete diagnostic agreement between our LBC and the standard cytology was in high level (89.77%). However, the Kappa and the correlation coefficient were not in that high level; this was due to the interesting fact that detection rate of abnormal cells was much higher in the Siriraj-LBC than in the conventional cytology. Our result was comparable with that of Park et al (2001) showing that the results of conventional cytology and LBC exactly agreed in 91.4% of cases.

The increase in detection rate raised the concern of increase in false positive cytology. In the present study, 45 cases of the abnormal cytology detected by Siriraj- LBC undergone gold standard testing. We found that the overall PPV in the Siriraj-LBC was less than that in the conventional cytology (71.1% vs. 85.7%). This implied that the Siriraj-LBC increase false positive result from 7.7% to 100.0%. In this specific group of patients with positive result by Siriraj-LBC, the conventional cytology had an astounding high false negative result of 81.2%. The false negative result of Siriraj-LBC was unknown because none of the patients with negative cytology undergone gold standard testing, despites, we assumed that the Siriraj-LBC would have less false negative result since none of the negative Siriraj-LBC had abnormal conventional cytology. However, we are aware that these numbers are not the real

Normal CIN1/HPV CIN2/3 Cancer

Cytology Diagnoses by Colposcopy or Histology

Negative 12 22 3 1b ASCUS 1 1 0 0 ASC-H 0 0 1 0 LSIL 0 0 1 0 HSIL 0 1 1 0 Cancer 0 0 0 1c

Negative NA NA NA NA ASCUS 7 9 0 0 ASC-H 3 3 1 0 LSIL 1 8 0 0 HSIL 1 4 5 0 Cancer 1a 0 02b,c (Cytological vs. histological diagnoses: aadenocarcinoma of endometrium vs normal, badenocarcinoma of unknown origin vs. adenocarcinoma of peritoneum, and cadenocarcinoma of endometrium vs. squamous cell carcinoma. CIN = cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, HPV = human papilloma virus

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Rattanachaiyanont, M.; Benjapibal, M.; Khuakoonratt, N.; Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquidbased and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample

agitation of collecting devices in the liquid-based solution would elude the entrapped cells into the solution, therefore more cells were collected into the solution, and then evenly sampling to put onto a glass slide. We found that the complete diagnostic agreement between our LBC and the standard cytology was in high level (89.77%). However, the Kappa and the correlation coefficient were not in that high level; this was due to the interesting fact that detection rate of abnormal cells was much higher in the Siriraj-LBC than in the conventional cytology. Our result was comparable with that of Park et al (2001) showing that the results of conventional cytology and LBC exactly agreed in 91.4% of cases. The increase in detection rate raised the concern of increase in false positive cytology. In the present study, 45 cases of the abnormal cytology detected by Siriraj- LBC undergone gold standard testing. We found that the overall PPV in the Siriraj-LBC was less than that in the conventional cytology (71.1% vs. 85.7%). This implied that the Siriraj-LBC increase false positive result from 7.7% to 100.0%. In this specific group of patients with positive result by Siriraj-LBC, the conventional cytology had an astounding high false negative result of 81.2%. The false negative result of Siriraj-LBC was unknown because none of the patients with negative cytology undergone gold standard testing, despites, we assumed that the Siriraj-LBC would have less false negative result since none of the negative Siriraj-LBC had abnormal conventional cytology. However, we are aware that these numbers are not the real

Table 3. Final Diagnoses by Colposcopy or Histology in 45 patients with Abnormal

Conventional

Siriraj-LBC

infection, NA = not applicable)

Cytological Diagnoses

study. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 575-580.

false negative and false positive rates, as the actual rates cannot be obtained due to the limitation of this kind of study.

The high false positive result by Siriraj-LBC caused only little concern. Considering that only HSIL or cancer needs further invasive investigation, e.g. conization and/or diagnostic curettage, two in 45 cases had risk of unnecessary further investigation if the Siriraj-LBC was used in place of conventional cytology; this risk returned with the benefit of detecting three more cases of CIN2/3 and one case of cancer which were cases with false negative result in the conventional cytology. Noteworthy, the missing cancer in conventional cytology was a case of peritoneal adenocarcinoma without lesion at the uterine cervix.

Our limited data showed that the conventional cytology had high false negative result where as the Siriraj-LBC had high false positive result. It is estimated that approximately two thirds of false negative result in the conventional cytology are caused by sampling error due to limited transfer of cells from the collecting device onto the slide (Gay et al., 1985). The false positive result in the Siriraj-LBC was due to the increase in all types of abnormal epithelial cells. This may be due to the misinterpretation of immature squamous metaplastic or atrophic cells to be abnormal cells because the morphologies of these cells are alike. Moreover these cells could be more easily detected in the Siriraj-LBC than in the conventional cytology because of the better quality of slide. However, we could not disregard the fact that our novice in the LBC field also contributed to this false positive. We expect to get better results of this technique in the future.

Our result was compatible with many previous reports. Nanda et al (2000) reviewed the accuracy of conventional and new methods of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing to detect cervical cancer and its precursors. Ninety-four studies of the conventional Pap test showed that, estimates of sensitivity and specificity varied greatly in individual studies. In the 12 studies with the least biased, estimates sensitivity ranged from 30-80% and specificity ranged from 86-100%. Guo et al (2005) evaluated the accuracy of a LBC test, ThinPrep®, by comparing concurrent LBC and cervical biopsy results of 782 patients who were referred for colposcopy because of previously abnormal conventional cytology. They found that concurrent LBC has high diagnostic accuracy for SIL. Besides, several studies showed that the detection rates of LSIL and HSIL are improved by LBC but the effect of LBC on the detection of ASC-US is uncertain (Limaye et al., 2003; Mount et al., 2004).

The results from Siriraj-LBC and conventional cytology have high diagnostic agreement and minimal to fair correlation. The Siriraj-LBC increases detection rate of abnormal cervicovaginal cells with probably decrease false negative but increase false positive from the baseline values by conventional cytology. Therefore the screening performance of Siriraj-LBC is not inferior to the conventional cytology and may be used as an alternative screening method for cervical cancer.

#### **3.4 A direct-to-vial study (Laiwejpithaya et al., 2009)**

#### **3.4.1 Study population and specimen processing**

The study was carried out in the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Data were retrieved from the database of the Gynecologic Cytology Unit. The data of conventional cytology and

Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 125

All abnormal cervical cells 944 (3.70) 417 (1.76) +110.23 <0.001 ASCUS 251 (0.98) 100 (0.42) +133.33 <0.001 LSIL 278 (1.09) 132 (0.56) +94.64 <0.001 HSIL 213 (0.83) 94 (0.40) +107.50 <0.001 ASC-H 117 (0.46) 41 (0.17) +170.59 <0.001 AGC 25 (0.10) 16 (0.07) +42.86 0.243 Malignant 60 (0.24) 34 (0.14) +71.43 0.020 All poor quality slides 1261 (4.94) 4404 (18.60) -73.44 <0.001

component 1094 (4.29) 3766 (15.91) -73.04 <0.001 Scant cellular smears 153 (0.60) 51 (0.22) +172.73 <0.001 Thick smears 2 (0.01) 212 (0.90) -98.89 <0.001

inflammatory cells 12 (0.05) 375 (1.58) -96.84 <0.001

[Note: Data are n (%). Percent change was the incremental (+) or decremental (\_) rate of Siriraj-LBC comparing to the baseline rate of conventional cytology. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.]

Table 4. Detection rates of abnormal cervical cells and quality of slides using Siriraj liquidbased cytology (Siriraj-LBC, year 2006) and conventional Papanicolaou's smear (year 2004)

difference between the methods. The PPV for SCC was the highest; whereas that for abnormal glandular cell types was the lowest (Table 5). The cost of Siriraj-LBC was higher than that of the conventional cytology used in Siriraj Hospital but lower than that of the commercially available LBC in Thailand. When cost was estimated from the laboratory charge, it was found that the cost of Siriraj-LBC was 1.67, 0.50, and 0.30 times of those of the

Cervical cytology N Cervical histology, n (%) P Normal Abnormal

Siriraj-LBC 1012 975 (96.33)(a) 37 (3.67) 0.001

Siriraj-LBC 277 47 (16.97) 230 (83.03)(b) 0.285

Siriraj-LBC 13 7 (53.85) 6 (46.15)(b) 0.342

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Benjapibal, M.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Wongtiraporn, W.; Sangkarat, S.; & Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a direct-

to-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2, pp. 201-205.

conventional cytology, Liqui-Prep®, and ThinPrep®, respectively (Table 6).

Conventional 744 690 (92.74) (a) 54 (7.26)

Conventional 167 22 (13.17) 145 (86.83)(b)

Conventional 9 3 (33.33) 6 (66.67)(b)

Conventional

(N= 23,676) % change P

Siriraj-LBC (N= 25,510)

No transformation zone

Obscuring blood and

Normal

ASCUS

Overall abnormalitie

LBC were recruited from records of the years 2004 and 2006, respectively. The specimens for either conventional cytology or LBC were obtained from patients who had pelvic examination at the Gynecologic Outpatient Department of Siriraj Hospital during the relevant study periods. Specimens were collected by residents and staff members of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Collection of specimens for conventional cytology was performed according to the standard VCE smear technique. The collection of specimens for Siriraj-LBC was similar to that for conventional cytology, except that a special plastic spatula was used instead of the Ayre's spatula and cotton swab. All specimens were transported to the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, and processed by experienced technicians. All of the slides were screened by a team of cytotechnologists and the abnormal slides were reviewed and diagnosis made by an experienced cytopathologist. Clinical management of abnormal cytology includes referral to colposcopy and treatment according to the guideline of Siriraj Hospital as mentioned above.

#### **3.4.2 Performance of cytology as a screening test**

The performance of Siriraj-LBC was evaluated from the detection rate of abnormal cervical cytology, and predictive values using cervical histology as the gold standard. The data for calculating negative predictive value (NPV) were obtained from the patients who had normal results of pre-hysterectomy screening cervical cytology. The data for calculating positive predictive value (PPV) were obtained from the patients who had abnormal results of cervical cytology and underwent operative procedures revealing cervical histology. Those procedures included colposcopic directed cervical biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold-knife conization, and hysterectomy. Normal cervical histology was considered when the cervical mucosa was clear from any neoplastic lesion, ignoring the histopathological result of endometrium. The data were presented as mean+standard deviation (SD), n (%), or % change, as appropriate. Data were analyzed using the t-test for continuous data or Chi-square test for categorical data. All tests were 2-sided, and a P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

#### **3.4.3 Results**

There were 23,676 records of conventional Papanicolaou's smear and 25,510 records of Siriraj-LBC in the years 2004 and 2006, respectively. Almost all of the specimens came from Thai women. The mean age+SD of women in the years 2004 and 2006 were 40.67+12.54 and 42.66+12.21 years, respectively, which were not statistically different. Compared with the conventional smear, the Siriraj-LBC significantly increased overall detection rate of abnormal cytology by 110.23% (from 1.76% to 3.70%, P < 0.001), as it increased the detection rate of ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL, ASC-H, and malignant cells, but it did not significantly increase the detection rate of atypical glandular cells (AGC). The Siriraj-LBC significantly reduced the number of smears that were deemed poor quality by 73.44% (from 18.60% to 4.94%, P < 0.001), as it markedly decreased the smears with obscuring blood and inflammatory cells, thick smears (Fig. 1b and c), and the smears without transformation zone component. However, the Siriraj-LBC had a marked increase in scant cellular smears (Table 4).

The predictive value of Siriraj-LBC was better than that of conventional smear. The NPV of Siriraj-LBC was apparently higher than that of conventional cytology (96.33% vs. 92.74%, P = 0.001). The PPV of both methods was > 80%, which did not demonstrate any significant


LBC were recruited from records of the years 2004 and 2006, respectively. The specimens for either conventional cytology or LBC were obtained from patients who had pelvic examination at the Gynecologic Outpatient Department of Siriraj Hospital during the relevant study periods. Specimens were collected by residents and staff members of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Collection of specimens for conventional cytology was performed according to the standard VCE smear technique. The collection of specimens for Siriraj-LBC was similar to that for conventional cytology, except that a special plastic spatula was used instead of the Ayre's spatula and cotton swab. All specimens were transported to the Gynecologic Cytology Unit, and processed by experienced technicians. All of the slides were screened by a team of cytotechnologists and the abnormal slides were reviewed and diagnosis made by an experienced cytopathologist. Clinical management of abnormal cytology includes referral to colposcopy and treatment according to the guideline

The performance of Siriraj-LBC was evaluated from the detection rate of abnormal cervical cytology, and predictive values using cervical histology as the gold standard. The data for calculating negative predictive value (NPV) were obtained from the patients who had normal results of pre-hysterectomy screening cervical cytology. The data for calculating positive predictive value (PPV) were obtained from the patients who had abnormal results of cervical cytology and underwent operative procedures revealing cervical histology. Those procedures included colposcopic directed cervical biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold-knife conization, and hysterectomy. Normal cervical histology was considered when the cervical mucosa was clear from any neoplastic lesion, ignoring the histopathological result of endometrium. The data were presented as mean+standard deviation (SD), n (%), or % change, as appropriate. Data were analyzed using the t-test for continuous data or Chi-square test for categorical data. All tests were 2-sided, and a P-value

There were 23,676 records of conventional Papanicolaou's smear and 25,510 records of Siriraj-LBC in the years 2004 and 2006, respectively. Almost all of the specimens came from Thai women. The mean age+SD of women in the years 2004 and 2006 were 40.67+12.54 and 42.66+12.21 years, respectively, which were not statistically different. Compared with the conventional smear, the Siriraj-LBC significantly increased overall detection rate of abnormal cytology by 110.23% (from 1.76% to 3.70%, P < 0.001), as it increased the detection rate of ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL, ASC-H, and malignant cells, but it did not significantly increase the detection rate of atypical glandular cells (AGC). The Siriraj-LBC significantly reduced the number of smears that were deemed poor quality by 73.44% (from 18.60% to 4.94%, P < 0.001), as it markedly decreased the smears with obscuring blood and inflammatory cells, thick smears (Fig. 1b and c), and the smears without transformation zone component.

However, the Siriraj-LBC had a marked increase in scant cellular smears (Table 4).

The predictive value of Siriraj-LBC was better than that of conventional smear. The NPV of Siriraj-LBC was apparently higher than that of conventional cytology (96.33% vs. 92.74%, P = 0.001). The PPV of both methods was > 80%, which did not demonstrate any significant

of Siriraj Hospital as mentioned above.

**3.4.2 Performance of cytology as a screening test** 

of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

**3.4.3 Results** 


[Note: Data are n (%). Percent change was the incremental (+) or decremental (\_) rate of Siriraj-LBC comparing to the baseline rate of conventional cytology. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test.] From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Benjapibal, M.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Wongtiraporn, W.; Sangkarat, S.; & Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a directto-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2, pp. 201-205.

Table 4. Detection rates of abnormal cervical cells and quality of slides using Siriraj liquidbased cytology (Siriraj-LBC, year 2006) and conventional Papanicolaou's smear (year 2004)

difference between the methods. The PPV for SCC was the highest; whereas that for abnormal glandular cell types was the lowest (Table 5). The cost of Siriraj-LBC was higher than that of the conventional cytology used in Siriraj Hospital but lower than that of the commercially available LBC in Thailand. When cost was estimated from the laboratory charge, it was found that the cost of Siriraj-LBC was 1.67, 0.50, and 0.30 times of those of the conventional cytology, Liqui-Prep®, and ThinPrep®, respectively (Table 6).


Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 127

In the present direct-to-vial study, we compared the data of patients undergoing specimen collection for cervical cytology by the same physician group in two 12-month periods, targeting conventional Papanicolaou's smear in 2004 and Siriraj-LBC in 2006. As expected, the Siriraj-LBC increased detection of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. From our previous split-sample study conducted during the development of this technology in 2005, the Siriraj-LBC showed a tremendously increased detection rate of abnormal cytology of 565%, from 1.67% to 11.10%. However, the increase in the detection rate decreased to 100% in 2006 when the Siriraj-LBC was routinely used. The huge increase in 2005 was probably due to rigorous examination of slides during the development of the new technology. The increase in 2006 was less pronounced but still impressive even though the slides were

The increase in detection rate of Siriraj-LBC was probably due to the benefit of improved slide quality. Whereas 18.60% of our conventional smears had limited quality due to no endocervical or transformation zone component, obscuring blood and inflammatory cells, thick smear, or scant cellular smears, only 4.94% of the Siriraj-LBC had smears limited by these factors. Our results were in line with the experience of others (Bolick et al.,1998; Corkill et al.,1998; Diaz-Rosario et al.,1999; Dupree et al.,1998; Fremont-Smith et al.,2004; Papillo et al.,1998; Roberts et al.,1997). The improvement in the quality of slides in 2006 is likely to be due to the property of Siriraj- LBC itself rather than other factors, since the detection rate and quality of slides before 2005 had never reached those of the slides in 2006. Our 3-year retrospective data from 2002 to 2004 showed that our conventional smears had detection rates varying from 1.7% to 2.1%, and the poor quality smears varying from 18.6%

The better detection rate of intraepithelial lesions is a common thread in studies on liquidbased cervical cytology. The increase in detection rates in previous studies varied from 12.0% to 106.8% (Bolick et al.,1998; Corkill et al.,1998; Diaz-Rosario et al.,1999; Dupree et al.,1998; Fremont-Smith et al.,2004; Papillo et al.,1998; Roberts et al.,1997). The reason for the wide range of this effect is not clear; but a wide range in detection rates of intraepithelial lesions by the conventional smear is also noted in the same studies, i.e. 1.1–2.7%. The increment seems higher in the studies with a low baseline detection rate using the conventional smear. In addition, this variation may represent regional or population-based differences, or different practice patterns. In our direct-to-vial study, Siriraj-LBC had a 100% increment for the detection of SIL from a baseline rate of 0.96% (LSIL = 0.56% and HSIL = 0.40%). The overwhelming diagnostic improvement of Siriraj-LBC, especially with respect to HSIL detection, would enhance the success of cervical cancer screening in our institute. Owing to the fact that the LBC slide makes it easier for a cytologist to find small numbers of abnormal cells, the percentages of ASCUS and ASC-H were also higher with Siriraj-LBC compared with the conventional method. The results were welcomed by the gynecologists

The increase in detection rate came with the concern of an increase in false positive cytology. From our cytology-histology paired data, Siriraj-LBC increased NPV without compromising PPV. This information implied that the Siriraj-LBC decreased false negative results, i.e. from 7.26% to 3.67% (P = 0.001) without affecting the overall false positive result, i.e. 13.17% vs.

routinely examined in the same manner as they were in 2004.

who were chronically in fear of false negative results.

**3.4.4 Discussion** 

to 32.6%.


[Note: Data are n (% of the corresponding row). The data were analyzed using Chisquare test. Abnormal cervical histology meant cervical tissue specimen showing intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma. (a) Negative predictive value; (b) positive predictive value; AGC, atypical glandular cells; AIS, adenocarcinoma in situ; ASCUS, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance; ASC-H, atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL; CI, confidence interval; LSIL, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; HSIL, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; SCC, squamous cell carcino]

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Benjapibal, M.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Wongtiraporn, W.; Sangkarat, S.; & Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a directto-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2, pp. 201-205.

Table 5. Predictive values of cervical cytology using Siriraj liquid-based cytology (Siriraj-LBC, year 2006) and conventional Papanicolaou's smear (year 2004)


From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Benjapibal, M.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Wongtiraporn, W.; Sangkarat, S.; & Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a directto-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2, pp. 201-205.

Table 6. Costs of Siriraj liquid-based cytology, conventional cytology at Siriraj Hospital, and commercially available liquid-based cytology techniques in Thailand

#### **3.4.4 Discussion**

126 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Cervical cytology N Cervical histology, n (%) P Normal Abnormal

Siriraj-LBC 41 6 (14.63) 35 (85.37)(b) 0.597

Siriraj-LBC 124 10 (8.06) 114 (91.94)(b) 0.301

Siriraj-LBC 33 4 (12.12) 29 (87.88)(b) 0.579

Siriraj-LBC 26 0 (0.00) 26 (100.00)(b) 0.183

Siriraj-LBC 40 20 (50.00) 20 (50.00)(b) 0.464

Conventional 29 3 (10.34) 26 (89.66)(b)

Conventional 71 3 (4.23) 68 (95.77)(b)

Conventional 23 4 (17.39) 19 (82.61)(b)

Conventional 15 1 (6.67) 14 (93.33)(b)

Conventional 20 8 (40.00) 12 (60.00)(b)

[Note: Data are n (% of the corresponding row). The data were analyzed using Chisquare test. Abnormal cervical histology meant cervical tissue specimen showing intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma. (a) Negative predictive value; (b) positive predictive value; AGC, atypical glandular cells; AIS, adenocarcinoma in situ; ASCUS, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance; ASC-H, atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL; CI, confidence interval; LSIL, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; HSIL, high-grade squamous intraepithelial

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Benjapibal, M.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Wongtiraporn, W.; Sangkarat, S.; & Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a direct-

Table 5. Predictive values of cervical cytology using Siriraj liquid-based cytology (Siriraj-

Siriraj liquid-based cytology 150.00 4.55 Siriraj conventional cytology 90.00 2.72

Liqui-Prep® 300.00 9.09 ThinPrep® 500.00 15.15

Table 6. Costs of Siriraj liquid-based cytology, conventional cytology at Siriraj Hospital, and

From Laiwejpithaya, S.; Benjapibal, M.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Wongtiraporn, W.; Sangkarat, S.; & Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a direct-

Costs Thai baht US dollars

to-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2, pp. 201-205.

LBC, year 2006) and conventional Papanicolaou's smear (year 2004)

to-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2, pp. 201-205.

commercially available liquid-based cytology techniques in Thailand

Commercially available liquid-based cytology techniques

Abnormal glandular cell types (AGC+AIS+Adenocarcinoma)

lesion; SCC, squamous cell carcino]

LSIL

HSIL

ASC-H

SCC

In the present direct-to-vial study, we compared the data of patients undergoing specimen collection for cervical cytology by the same physician group in two 12-month periods, targeting conventional Papanicolaou's smear in 2004 and Siriraj-LBC in 2006. As expected, the Siriraj-LBC increased detection of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. From our previous split-sample study conducted during the development of this technology in 2005, the Siriraj-LBC showed a tremendously increased detection rate of abnormal cytology of 565%, from 1.67% to 11.10%. However, the increase in the detection rate decreased to 100% in 2006 when the Siriraj-LBC was routinely used. The huge increase in 2005 was probably due to rigorous examination of slides during the development of the new technology. The increase in 2006 was less pronounced but still impressive even though the slides were routinely examined in the same manner as they were in 2004.

The increase in detection rate of Siriraj-LBC was probably due to the benefit of improved slide quality. Whereas 18.60% of our conventional smears had limited quality due to no endocervical or transformation zone component, obscuring blood and inflammatory cells, thick smear, or scant cellular smears, only 4.94% of the Siriraj-LBC had smears limited by these factors. Our results were in line with the experience of others (Bolick et al.,1998; Corkill et al.,1998; Diaz-Rosario et al.,1999; Dupree et al.,1998; Fremont-Smith et al.,2004; Papillo et al.,1998; Roberts et al.,1997). The improvement in the quality of slides in 2006 is likely to be due to the property of Siriraj- LBC itself rather than other factors, since the detection rate and quality of slides before 2005 had never reached those of the slides in 2006. Our 3-year retrospective data from 2002 to 2004 showed that our conventional smears had detection rates varying from 1.7% to 2.1%, and the poor quality smears varying from 18.6% to 32.6%.

The better detection rate of intraepithelial lesions is a common thread in studies on liquidbased cervical cytology. The increase in detection rates in previous studies varied from 12.0% to 106.8% (Bolick et al.,1998; Corkill et al.,1998; Diaz-Rosario et al.,1999; Dupree et al.,1998; Fremont-Smith et al.,2004; Papillo et al.,1998; Roberts et al.,1997). The reason for the wide range of this effect is not clear; but a wide range in detection rates of intraepithelial lesions by the conventional smear is also noted in the same studies, i.e. 1.1–2.7%. The increment seems higher in the studies with a low baseline detection rate using the conventional smear. In addition, this variation may represent regional or population-based differences, or different practice patterns. In our direct-to-vial study, Siriraj-LBC had a 100% increment for the detection of SIL from a baseline rate of 0.96% (LSIL = 0.56% and HSIL = 0.40%). The overwhelming diagnostic improvement of Siriraj-LBC, especially with respect to HSIL detection, would enhance the success of cervical cancer screening in our institute. Owing to the fact that the LBC slide makes it easier for a cytologist to find small numbers of abnormal cells, the percentages of ASCUS and ASC-H were also higher with Siriraj-LBC compared with the conventional method. The results were welcomed by the gynecologists who were chronically in fear of false negative results.

The increase in detection rate came with the concern of an increase in false positive cytology. From our cytology-histology paired data, Siriraj-LBC increased NPV without compromising PPV. This information implied that the Siriraj-LBC decreased false negative results, i.e. from 7.26% to 3.67% (P = 0.001) without affecting the overall false positive result, i.e. 13.17% vs.

Cervical Cancer Prevention by Liquid-Based Cytology in a Low-Resource Setting 129

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SurePath liquid-based Papanicolaou smear with the conventional Papanicolaou

based Pap tests: comparison of concurrent liquid-based tests and cervical biopsies on 782 women with previously abnormal Pap smears. Acta Cytol, Vol.49, No.2, pp.

Boriboonhirunsarn, D.; Laiwejpithaya, S.; Sangkarat, S.; & Wongtiraporn, W. (2008). Comparison between Siriraj liquid-based and conventional cytology for detection of abnormal cervicovaginal smears: A split-sample study. Asian Pacific J Cancer

Rattanachaiyanont, M. (2009). Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: a direct-to-vial study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, Vol. 147, No.2,

of conventional Papanicolaou smears and a fluid-based, thin-layer system for

Papanicolaou tests and a fluid-based thin-layer method. Arch Pathol Lab Med,

16.97% (P = 0.285). However, we were aware that these numbers were not the real false negative and false positive rates, as the actual rates could not be obtained due to the limitations of this kind of study. The Siriraj-LBC displayed a higher false positive HSIL than the conventional method did, probably due to the morphological resemblance of immature squamous metaplastic or atrophic cells to HSIL. As these cells were easier to detect in the Siriraj-LBC than in the conventional smear, the higher false positive HSIL was not unexpected. However, as discussed in the split-sample study, we could not disregard the fact that our being novices in the LBC field could contribute to this false positivity. We expect to get better results using this technique in the future.

When the laboratory cost of the various cervical cytology techniques was calculated, we found that the cost of Siriraj-LBC was only 67% higher than that of the conventional cytology technique used in Siriraj Hospital and was lower than that of the commercially available LBC techniques in Thailand. However, we did not directly compare the diagnostic performance among the LBC techniques; therefore we did not know which LBC technology was the most cost-effective for our population. Nevertheless, because of its low cost and better performance than conventional cytology, Siriraj-LBC would be an accessible LBC technology for women of low-socioeconomic level. As a result, Siriraj-LBC has replaced the conventional cytology in Siriraj Hospital since 2006.

The Siriraj-LBC shows an impressive improvement in the detection rate of abnormal cervical cells. The Siriraj-LBC has an acceptable performance and quality which are within the same range as other previously reported LBC techniques. Therefore, the Siriraj-LBC may be considered a better option for cervical cancer screening than the conventional method and more economical than the commercially available LBC.

#### **4. Conclusion**

The diagnostic performance of our home-made LBC has been evaluated in both the "splitsample" study and "direct-to-vial" study and we have found that the screening performance of Siriraj-LBC was superior to that of conventional cytology. Our LBC does not require any expensive equipment; therefore its cost is much less than that of the commercial ones. Siriraj-LBC may be considered a better option for cervical cancer screening than the conventional method. For centers where conventional Pap smear does not perform well, the introduction of a low cost Siriraj-LBC may help to improve performance. We believe that the Siriraj-LBC will make a significant change in cervical cancer screening and patient management in our country.

#### **5. References**


16.97% (P = 0.285). However, we were aware that these numbers were not the real false negative and false positive rates, as the actual rates could not be obtained due to the limitations of this kind of study. The Siriraj-LBC displayed a higher false positive HSIL than the conventional method did, probably due to the morphological resemblance of immature squamous metaplastic or atrophic cells to HSIL. As these cells were easier to detect in the Siriraj-LBC than in the conventional smear, the higher false positive HSIL was not unexpected. However, as discussed in the split-sample study, we could not disregard the fact that our being novices in the LBC field could contribute to this false positivity. We

When the laboratory cost of the various cervical cytology techniques was calculated, we found that the cost of Siriraj-LBC was only 67% higher than that of the conventional cytology technique used in Siriraj Hospital and was lower than that of the commercially available LBC techniques in Thailand. However, we did not directly compare the diagnostic performance among the LBC techniques; therefore we did not know which LBC technology was the most cost-effective for our population. Nevertheless, because of its low cost and better performance than conventional cytology, Siriraj-LBC would be an accessible LBC technology for women of low-socioeconomic level. As a result, Siriraj-LBC has replaced the

The Siriraj-LBC shows an impressive improvement in the detection rate of abnormal cervical cells. The Siriraj-LBC has an acceptable performance and quality which are within the same range as other previously reported LBC techniques. Therefore, the Siriraj-LBC may be considered a better option for cervical cancer screening than the conventional method and

The diagnostic performance of our home-made LBC has been evaluated in both the "splitsample" study and "direct-to-vial" study and we have found that the screening performance of Siriraj-LBC was superior to that of conventional cytology. Our LBC does not require any expensive equipment; therefore its cost is much less than that of the commercial ones. Siriraj-LBC may be considered a better option for cervical cancer screening than the conventional method. For centers where conventional Pap smear does not perform well, the introduction of a low cost Siriraj-LBC may help to improve performance. We believe that the Siriraj-LBC will make a significant change in cervical cancer screening and patient

Austin, R.; & Ramzy, I. (1998). Increased detection of epithelial cell abnormalities by liquid-

Bales, C. (2006). Laboratory techniques, In: Koss' diagnostic cytology and its histopathologic

Bishop, J.; Bigner, S.; Colgan, T.; Husain, M.; Howell, L.; McIntosh, K.; Taylor, D.; & Sadeghi,

based gynecologic cytology preparations: A review of accumulated data. Acta

bases, L.G. Koss and M.R. Melamed, (Eds.), 569-622, Lippincott William & Wilkins,

M. (1998). Multicenter masked evaluation of AutoCyte PREP thin layers with

expect to get better results using this technique in the future.

conventional cytology in Siriraj Hospital since 2006.

more economical than the commercially available LBC.

Cytol, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 178-184.

**4. Conclusion** 

**5. References** 

management in our country.

Philadelphia

matched conventional smears. Including initial biopsy results. Acta Cytol, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 189–197.


**8** 

*Brazil* 

**Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix** 

Maria Carolina Torrens and Manoel Afonso Guimarães Gonçalves

*Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia – Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre,* 

There is a minimally invasive nosological entity among cervical precursor lesions and frank invasive cancer. Initially described by Mestwerdt in 1947, cases of microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix represent a group of patients with better prognosis with the possibility of needing less radical treatment.1 Despite that microinvasion has been defined since the 1940s, the depth of invasion, as well as the lateral extension, are subjects of various

There is a continuum of knowledge about microinvasive cervical cancer from its initial landmark in 1947, which must be understood so that we can reflect on the information and

The first conception of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was presented by Mestwerdt in 1947, who strived to develop an early diagnosis of cervical carcinoma. In this first work, Mestwerdt cited that the discovery of 43 cases of microcarcinoma was possible with the combination of colposcopy and the iodine test with the standard histologic examination over a period of 9 ½ years. This author considered the attributes of



The measurement of stromal invasion, always defined microscopically, should be done from the basement membrane. 1 In 1961, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) on proposing the classification cervical cancer, recommended the


**1. Introduction** 

**2. Definition** 

classifications and certain controversy.

approaches recommended by different authors.

microcarcinoma of cervix to be the following:

limit, but is still not associated with the surface.

membrane by glandular budding in the connective tissue.



Fernando Anschau, Chrystiane da Silva Marc,

*Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul,* 

*Faculdade Nossa Senhora de Fátima – Caxias do Sul* 


### **Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix**

Fernando Anschau, Chrystiane da Silva Marc,

Maria Carolina Torrens and Manoel Afonso Guimarães Gonçalves *Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia – Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre, Faculdade Nossa Senhora de Fátima – Caxias do Sul Brazil* 

#### **1. Introduction**

130 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Mount, S.; Harmon, M.; Eltabbakh, G.; Uyar, D.; & Leiman, G. (2004). False positive

Nanda, K.; McCrory, D.; Myers, E.; Bastian, L.; Hasselblad, V.; Hickey, J.; & Matchar, D.

Nieminen, P.; Kallio, M.; & Hakama, M. (1995). The effect of mass screening on incidence

Papillo, J.; Zarka, M.; & St John, T. (1998). Evaluation of the ThinPrep Pap test in clinical

Park, I.; Lee, S.; Chae, S.; Park, K.; Kim, J.; & Lee, H. (2001). Comparing the accuracy of

Roberts, J.; Gurley, A.; Thurloe, J.; Bowditch, R.; & Laverty, C. (1997). Evaluation of the

Solomon, D.; Davey, D.; Kurman, R.; Moriarty, A.; O'Connor, D.; Prey, M.; Raab, S.;

Vassilakos, P.; Carrel, S.; Petignat, P.; Boulvain, M.; & Campana, A. (2002). Use of automated

No.3, pp. 363-371.

Vol.85, No.6, pp. 1017-1021.

Vol.42, No.1, pp. 203-208.

*Cytol*, Vol.45, No.4, pp. 525-531.

Vol.167, No.9, pp. 466-469.

No.16, pp. 2114-2119.

No.2, pp. 291-195.

810-819.

diagnosis in conventional and liquid-based cervical specimens. Acta Cytol, Vol.48,

(2000). Accuracy of the Papanicolaou test in screening for and follow-up of cervical cytologic abnormalities: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med, Vol.132, No.10, pp.

and mortality of squamous and adenocarcinoma of cervix uteri. *Obstet Gynecol*,

practice: A seven-month, 16,314-case experience in northern Vermont. Acta Cytol,

ThinPrep Pap tests and conventional Papanicolaou smears on the basis of the histologic diagnosis: a clinical study of women with cervical abnormalities. *Acta* 

ThinPrep Pap test as an adjunct to the conventional Pap smear. Med J Aust,

Sherman, M.; Wilbur, D.; Wright, T Jr.; & Young, N. (2002). The 2001 Bethesda System: terminology for reporting results of cervical cytology. JAMA, Vol.287,

primary screening on liquid-based, thin-layer preparations. Acta Cytol, Vol.46,

There is a minimally invasive nosological entity among cervical precursor lesions and frank invasive cancer. Initially described by Mestwerdt in 1947, cases of microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix represent a group of patients with better prognosis with the possibility of needing less radical treatment.1 Despite that microinvasion has been defined since the 1940s, the depth of invasion, as well as the lateral extension, are subjects of various classifications and certain controversy.

#### **2. Definition**

There is a continuum of knowledge about microinvasive cervical cancer from its initial landmark in 1947, which must be understood so that we can reflect on the information and approaches recommended by different authors.

The first conception of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was presented by Mestwerdt in 1947, who strived to develop an early diagnosis of cervical carcinoma. In this first work, Mestwerdt cited that the discovery of 43 cases of microcarcinoma was possible with the combination of colposcopy and the iodine test with the standard histologic examination over a period of 9 ½ years. This author considered the attributes of microcarcinoma of cervix to be the following:


The measurement of stromal invasion, always defined microscopically, should be done from the basement membrane. 1 In 1961, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) on proposing the classification cervical cancer, recommended the

Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix 133

Although definitive diagnosis of microinvasion must be done by histological evaluation of specimens obtained by conization or hysterectomy, some colposcopy signs could identify this situation. Reid pointed out some colposcopic and clinical warning signs of invasion:

Defined areas as colposcopically significant – with Reid index ≥ 5 – showing irregular

Mosaic or rough dotted area at extreme, particularly when showing large and irregular

Groups of lesions with large extension and with characteristics of colposcopic lesion of

Colposcopic lesions of high grade type penetrating more than 5 mm in the endocervical

Intra-epithelial cervical lesions of high grade on histology by biopsy in which the

Despite the efforts for colposcopic detection of microinvasive alterations, this diagnostic modality does not show a good predictive indicator of the severity of the cervical lesion and tends to underestimate microinvasive carcinoma. The colposcopic images, besides not being characteristic, are difficult to interpret and microinvasive lesions are often endocervical. Colposcopic signs are even more inconsistent when the focus of invasion is small and superficial.4, 5, 6 There are no specific colposcopic findings of microinvasive carcinoma. The findings resemble cases of *in situ* and invasive carcinoma. Colposcopy is better at identifying

The determination of microinvasion should always be done by systematic histologic evaluation of a consistent sample of cervix, using serial sections in order to determine with precision the depth and extension of the invasion, besides the penetration of the lymphovascular space. Even with colposcopic lesion with guided biopsy of the cervix, sometimes there is no guarantee that the biopsied material is sufficient for defining the diagnosis. In the localization of the microinvasion, with the analysis of the conization

Cyotological evidence of squamous cell carcinoma or of adenocarcinoma *in situ*

FIGO: International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics;

Friable areas, with easy bleeding upon touch

Superficial ulcers with white epithelium at edges

basement membrane cannot be clearly defined

pre-malignant or frank invasive disease than microinvasive lesions.

Fig. 1. Evolution of the definition of microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix

*SOG: Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (USA); JSOG:* Japanese Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology;

surface

Atypical vessels

high grade

canal

intercapillary distance

subdivision of stage I into IA and IB. Stage IA would be defined as early stromal invasion. in 1965, two groups published the problematization with respect to depth of invasion. Margulis and coworkers believed that the definition should include invasion of 5.0 mm of the stroma, while Ullery and coworkers considered invasion beyond the basement membrane of 3.0 mm.

Temporarily, we can refer to 1971 when FIGO introduced the term "occult cancer of the cervix" for stage IA. In 1973, Burghardt proposed the study of the volume of the lesion, believing that 500 mm3 would be a better option for the definition in question.

Despite the above mentioned proposal by FIGO, there was still no clear criteria for minimal stromal invasion. In 1974, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) proposed a definition for microinvasion as a lesion that invaded below the basement membrane to a depth of 3 mm or less, with no evidence of invasion of the lymphovascular space. SGO believed that the horizontal dimension would not enter into the classification of microinvasion. Despite new classifications in 1971 and 1975, with the introduction of the term occult carcinoma, FIGO would return in the 1980s with a definition that considered the measurement of the depth of invasion in cervical cancer in stage I. The preoccupation with the depth and extension of the lesion can also be observed in the study of Averette and coworkers, which in 1976 led to expectations regarding lesions of up to 1 mm, and in the study of Sedlis and colleagues, who determined a maximal extension of 4 mm for the definition of microinvasive cancer. The new definition from FIGO in 1985 brought criteria for carcinomas referred to as pre-clinical, dividing them into two groups: IA1 with minimal stromal invasion and IA2 with invasion up to 5 mm and not exceeding 7 mm. Again, in referring to the FIGO classification, we observe the reiteration of not considering the influence of the invasion of the lymphatic space in the stage.

In 1994, FIGO presented the classification of cervical cancer that put together clear measurements for the invasion of the stroma in stages IA1 and IA2. This classification was revised in 2009, and the term microscopic cancer was proposed for stage IA. Therefore, all gross lesions, even if superficial, were considered stage IB. The invasion was limited to 5 mm in depth and 7 mm of extension. The involvement of the lymphovascular space continued to have no effect on staging, but did influence the treatment. The invasion of the stroma up to 3 mm in depth and 7 mm of extension characterized stage IA1, and invasion of the stroma between 3 mm and 5 mm in depth and 7 mm of extension, stage IA2. 2, 3

Certainly one of the main factors involved in the definition of the depth of invasion and in the classification of microinvasion was the involvement of the lymphovascular space and consequently the possibility of lymph node metastasis in the pelvis and vaginal recurrence. The role of lymphovascular invasion and the possibility of lymph node metastasis are also the subject of many speculations about the treatment of microinvasive cervical carcinoma.

#### **3. Diagnosis**

Over the last years this early invasive carcinoma has become an increasingly important part of the problem of cervical cancer. The mounting frequency with which these diagnoses are made is directly related to the increased use of the Papanicolaou smear technique and use of large loop excision of the transformation zone.

subdivision of stage I into IA and IB. Stage IA would be defined as early stromal invasion. in 1965, two groups published the problematization with respect to depth of invasion. Margulis and coworkers believed that the definition should include invasion of 5.0 mm of the stroma, while Ullery and coworkers considered invasion beyond the basement

Temporarily, we can refer to 1971 when FIGO introduced the term "occult cancer of the cervix" for stage IA. In 1973, Burghardt proposed the study of the volume of the lesion,

Despite the above mentioned proposal by FIGO, there was still no clear criteria for minimal stromal invasion. In 1974, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) proposed a definition for microinvasion as a lesion that invaded below the basement membrane to a depth of 3 mm or less, with no evidence of invasion of the lymphovascular space. SGO believed that the horizontal dimension would not enter into the classification of microinvasion. Despite new classifications in 1971 and 1975, with the introduction of the term occult carcinoma, FIGO would return in the 1980s with a definition that considered the measurement of the depth of invasion in cervical cancer in stage I. The preoccupation with the depth and extension of the lesion can also be observed in the study of Averette and coworkers, which in 1976 led to expectations regarding lesions of up to 1 mm, and in the study of Sedlis and colleagues, who determined a maximal extension of 4 mm for the definition of microinvasive cancer. The new definition from FIGO in 1985 brought criteria for carcinomas referred to as pre-clinical, dividing them into two groups: IA1 with minimal stromal invasion and IA2 with invasion up to 5 mm and not exceeding 7 mm. Again, in referring to the FIGO classification, we observe the reiteration of not considering the

In 1994, FIGO presented the classification of cervical cancer that put together clear measurements for the invasion of the stroma in stages IA1 and IA2. This classification was revised in 2009, and the term microscopic cancer was proposed for stage IA. Therefore, all gross lesions, even if superficial, were considered stage IB. The invasion was limited to 5 mm in depth and 7 mm of extension. The involvement of the lymphovascular space continued to have no effect on staging, but did influence the treatment. The invasion of the stroma up to 3 mm in depth and 7 mm of extension characterized stage IA1, and invasion of

Certainly one of the main factors involved in the definition of the depth of invasion and in the classification of microinvasion was the involvement of the lymphovascular space and consequently the possibility of lymph node metastasis in the pelvis and vaginal recurrence. The role of lymphovascular invasion and the possibility of lymph node metastasis are also the subject of many speculations about the treatment of microinvasive

Over the last years this early invasive carcinoma has become an increasingly important part of the problem of cervical cancer. The mounting frequency with which these diagnoses are made is directly related to the increased use of the Papanicolaou smear technique and use of

the stroma between 3 mm and 5 mm in depth and 7 mm of extension, stage IA2. 2, 3

believing that 500 mm3 would be a better option for the definition in question.

influence of the invasion of the lymphatic space in the stage.

membrane of 3.0 mm.

cervical carcinoma.

large loop excision of the transformation zone.

**3. Diagnosis** 

FIGO: International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics; *SOG: Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (USA);* 

*JSOG:* Japanese Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology;

Fig. 1. Evolution of the definition of microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix

Although definitive diagnosis of microinvasion must be done by histological evaluation of specimens obtained by conization or hysterectomy, some colposcopy signs could identify this situation. Reid pointed out some colposcopic and clinical warning signs of invasion:


Despite the efforts for colposcopic detection of microinvasive alterations, this diagnostic modality does not show a good predictive indicator of the severity of the cervical lesion and tends to underestimate microinvasive carcinoma. The colposcopic images, besides not being characteristic, are difficult to interpret and microinvasive lesions are often endocervical. Colposcopic signs are even more inconsistent when the focus of invasion is small and superficial.4, 5, 6 There are no specific colposcopic findings of microinvasive carcinoma. The findings resemble cases of *in situ* and invasive carcinoma. Colposcopy is better at identifying pre-malignant or frank invasive disease than microinvasive lesions.

The determination of microinvasion should always be done by systematic histologic evaluation of a consistent sample of cervix, using serial sections in order to determine with precision the depth and extension of the invasion, besides the penetration of the lymphovascular space. Even with colposcopic lesion with guided biopsy of the cervix, sometimes there is no guarantee that the biopsied material is sufficient for defining the diagnosis. In the localization of the microinvasion, with the analysis of the conization

Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix 135

with serial sections of 30 microinvasive carcinomas of the cervix (invasion between 2 and 5 mm) demonstrated that 30% had compromise of the lymphovascular space – based on the first of the blocks; but this percentage increased to 57% with serial sections. No patient

Although FIGO does not include the lymph node status in its staging system for cervical carcinoma, it is known that for patients treated surgically in initial stages, the presence of ganglion metastasis is the most important risk factor for recurrence and mortality. 11 In addition, an adequate knowledge of lymph node compromise is essential for the indication

Traditionally, for lymph node evaluation, the technique proposed is bilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. However, this practice, associated with high rates of short- and long-term morbidity, has been questioned in initial stages, since a small portion of patients show lymphatic compromise. Studies with patients in stages IA1 and IA2 demonstrated an incidence of lymph node metastasis in 7.3% (0%-13.8%) of cases.12, <sup>13</sup> In the work of Sevin et al. 14, no cases of lymph node invasion were found when analyzing 110 cases of microinvasive carcinoma with stromal invasion less than or equal to 5 mm. What we can reflect on the positivity of the lymph nodes is that as the depth of stromal invasion increases, there is an increase in the percent of lymph nodes compromised with metastatic cells. Thus, some studies demonstrate the following relation between depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis: invasion up to 1 mm, presence of <1 to 1.5% of lymph nodes compromised; between 1 and 3 mm, <1 to 4.2%; between 3 and 5 mm,

Aimed at reducing the rate of complications of lymphadenectomy, the technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLB), introduced by Cabañas, 15 has been studied in cases of cervical carcinoma. Studies evaluating the accuracy and applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cervical carcinoma have shown promising results (high rates of detection and low falsepositive rates), mainly when analyzing cases of lesions less than 2 cm.16 Other authors have demonstrated a 94% rate of detection of sentinel lymph nodes associated with sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, for tumors less than 2 cm. 17 The recent study SENTICOL 18, in which SLB was carried out in a uniform manner by experienced surgeons, combining techniques that utilize blue dye and lymphoscintigraphy with technetium (Tc99), demonstrated a sensitivity of 92% and obtained ideal mapping in 75% of patients. These authors concluded that when utilizing the two techniques combined, a negative result in the sentinel lymph nodes on both sides indicates the absence of metastatic disease, with a

In accordance with studies in 2011, the use of laparoscopy in the detection and removal of sentinel lymph nodes (SL) is evidence-based and safe with either the use of blue dye or Tc99 lymphoscintigraphy*.* When these two detection techniques were compared, Tc99 showed a significantly higher rate of identification of sentinel lymph nodes*.* <sup>19</sup> The identification of LS by SPECT-CT has also been the target of studies. The results to date suggest that this examination can increase the detection and improve the preoperative anatomic localization

showed lymph node metastasis.10

**5. Lymph nodes** 

of adjuvant treatment.

between 2 and 3.7%. 8,9

negative predictive value of 98.2%.

of LS, when compared to lymphoscintigraphy with Tc99. 20, 21

specimens of the cervix, the focus of the microinvasion from the basement membrane of the epithelium is found at the following sites: the ectocervix besides the last gland in 11% of cases, inside the transformation zone in 71% of cases (22% on the surface of the epithelium and 49% in the depth or glandular crypts) and in the endocervical canal in 18% of cases. 7

The whole extension of cervical cancer screening programs have led to an increase in the detection of microinvasion, as well as the dissemination of the utilization of a diathermy loop for excision of altered areas and resection of the transformation zone in the investigation of suspect cases.

The evaluation of the biopsy by an experienced pathologist is essential for the correct identification of microinvasion with its respective measurement and characterization of the presence or not of invasion of the lymphovascular space. Also, it is of great importance that the pathologist can determine the presence of compromise of the margins and the grade of these lesions. Therefore, for young patients with the intention of preserving fertility, the identification of these parameters can translate to conservative treatment.

### **4. Treatment**

Based on the premise that the neoplastic cell with malignant differentiation has the potential to metastasize through the lymphatic and vascular systems, it should be takrm into consideration that this could occur even at initial stages of invasion of the basement membrane. Meanwhile, various lines of epidemiological evidence indicate stage IA1 as having a low potential for lymph node metastasis and good disease-free survival rates. Lee and et al. found that the lymphovascular space was compromised in 0.9% of cases when invasion was less than 1 mm and in 10.2 % when invasion was between 1 and 3 mm deep. 8 Ostor et al. demonstrated compromise of the space lymphovascular in 3% and 15% when invasion was up to 1 mm and between 1 and 3 mm, respectively.9

The requirements in relation to the involvement of the lymphovascular space with tumor cells are still points to ponder; therefore, understanding that doubt is part of the thought process, we propose the following reflections: (1) Why ignore the involvement of the lymphovascular space? (2) Why value the involvement of the lymphovascular space?

Why ignore the involvement of the lymphovascular space?


Why value the involvement of the lymphovascular space?


The initial idea of Mestwerdt of performing serial histologic sections with detailed examination of the sections is still an interesting prerogative in this aspect. In 1975, a study with serial sections of 30 microinvasive carcinomas of the cervix (invasion between 2 and 5 mm) demonstrated that 30% had compromise of the lymphovascular space – based on the first of the blocks; but this percentage increased to 57% with serial sections. No patient showed lymph node metastasis.10

#### **5. Lymph nodes**

134 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

specimens of the cervix, the focus of the microinvasion from the basement membrane of the epithelium is found at the following sites: the ectocervix besides the last gland in 11% of cases, inside the transformation zone in 71% of cases (22% on the surface of the epithelium and 49% in the depth or glandular crypts) and in the endocervical canal in 18% of cases. 7

The whole extension of cervical cancer screening programs have led to an increase in the detection of microinvasion, as well as the dissemination of the utilization of a diathermy loop for excision of altered areas and resection of the transformation zone in the

The evaluation of the biopsy by an experienced pathologist is essential for the correct identification of microinvasion with its respective measurement and characterization of the presence or not of invasion of the lymphovascular space. Also, it is of great importance that the pathologist can determine the presence of compromise of the margins and the grade of these lesions. Therefore, for young patients with the intention of preserving fertility, the

Based on the premise that the neoplastic cell with malignant differentiation has the potential to metastasize through the lymphatic and vascular systems, it should be takrm into consideration that this could occur even at initial stages of invasion of the basement membrane. Meanwhile, various lines of epidemiological evidence indicate stage IA1 as having a low potential for lymph node metastasis and good disease-free survival rates. Lee and et al. found that the lymphovascular space was compromised in 0.9% of cases when invasion was less than 1 mm and in 10.2 % when invasion was between 1 and 3 mm deep. 8 Ostor et al. demonstrated compromise of the space lymphovascular in 3% and 15% when

The requirements in relation to the involvement of the lymphovascular space with tumor cells are still points to ponder; therefore, understanding that doubt is part of the thought process, we propose the following reflections: (1) Why ignore the involvement of the lymphovascular space? (2) Why value the involvement of the lymphovascular space?

Studies not associating the involvement of the lymphovascular space with lymph node

The initial idea of Mestwerdt of performing serial histologic sections with detailed examination of the sections is still an interesting prerogative in this aspect. In 1975, a study

identification of these parameters can translate to conservative treatment.

invasion was up to 1 mm and between 1 and 3 mm, respectively.9

Why ignore the involvement of the lymphovascular space?

Inflammation and retraction artifacts can cause confusion

 Associated with greater probability of lymph node metastasis Associated with worse prognosis – more radical treatment Increased identification with increased serial sections

Why value the involvement of the lymphovascular space?

Interpretation of invasion of the lymphovascular space is subjective

investigation of suspect cases.

**4. Treatment** 

Conflicting evidence

Think of invasive tumor

metastasis

Although FIGO does not include the lymph node status in its staging system for cervical carcinoma, it is known that for patients treated surgically in initial stages, the presence of ganglion metastasis is the most important risk factor for recurrence and mortality. 11 In addition, an adequate knowledge of lymph node compromise is essential for the indication of adjuvant treatment.

Traditionally, for lymph node evaluation, the technique proposed is bilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. However, this practice, associated with high rates of short- and long-term morbidity, has been questioned in initial stages, since a small portion of patients show lymphatic compromise. Studies with patients in stages IA1 and IA2 demonstrated an incidence of lymph node metastasis in 7.3% (0%-13.8%) of cases.12, <sup>13</sup> In the work of Sevin et al. 14, no cases of lymph node invasion were found when analyzing 110 cases of microinvasive carcinoma with stromal invasion less than or equal to 5 mm. What we can reflect on the positivity of the lymph nodes is that as the depth of stromal invasion increases, there is an increase in the percent of lymph nodes compromised with metastatic cells. Thus, some studies demonstrate the following relation between depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis: invasion up to 1 mm, presence of <1 to 1.5% of lymph nodes compromised; between 1 and 3 mm, <1 to 4.2%; between 3 and 5 mm, between 2 and 3.7%. 8,9

Aimed at reducing the rate of complications of lymphadenectomy, the technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLB), introduced by Cabañas, 15 has been studied in cases of cervical carcinoma. Studies evaluating the accuracy and applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cervical carcinoma have shown promising results (high rates of detection and low falsepositive rates), mainly when analyzing cases of lesions less than 2 cm.16 Other authors have demonstrated a 94% rate of detection of sentinel lymph nodes associated with sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, for tumors less than 2 cm. 17 The recent study SENTICOL 18, in which SLB was carried out in a uniform manner by experienced surgeons, combining techniques that utilize blue dye and lymphoscintigraphy with technetium (Tc99), demonstrated a sensitivity of 92% and obtained ideal mapping in 75% of patients. These authors concluded that when utilizing the two techniques combined, a negative result in the sentinel lymph nodes on both sides indicates the absence of metastatic disease, with a negative predictive value of 98.2%.

In accordance with studies in 2011, the use of laparoscopy in the detection and removal of sentinel lymph nodes (SL) is evidence-based and safe with either the use of blue dye or Tc99 lymphoscintigraphy*.* When these two detection techniques were compared, Tc99 showed a significantly higher rate of identification of sentinel lymph nodes*.* <sup>19</sup> The identification of LS by SPECT-CT has also been the target of studies. The results to date suggest that this examination can increase the detection and improve the preoperative anatomic localization of LS, when compared to lymphoscintigraphy with Tc99. 20, 21

Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Cervix 137

lymphovascular space is observed, the complete excision of the lesion by extrafascial hysterectomy or, in selected cases and when there is desire for preservation of fertility, by conization with free margins can be an option. When fertility is not an issue, the treatment proposed here should also be considered, with an indication of hysterectomy. Alternatively, trachelectomy or radical hysterectomy can also be applied, without the need for pelvic

As in the previously mentioned cases of involvement of the lymphovascular space, also in the cases of stage IA2, there is an indication of radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. When the preservation of fertility is desired, vaginal radical trachelectomy with extra-peritoneal or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is the option. Risk of recurrence of IA2 tumors treated with radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic

After treatment, the patients should have a regular periodic follow-up with clinical gynecologic examinations, oncotic colpocytology and colposcopy. Follow-up protocols after the conclusion of the initial treatment are variable, using a number of tests in a variety of intervals with debatable results. The components that should be considered for an ideal follow-up program are: (i) optimal interval for the follow-up; (ii) available tests for followup; (iii) modifications in the course of the follow-up in accordance with the risk of

The tests available for the follow-up are the following: anamnesis, physical examination, cervical cytology, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, positron emission tomography (PET) and tumor markers. Physical examination and vaginal cytology are the most commonly used methods in the follow-up. The physical examination, especially, has led to a considerable number of detections in patients in which cyto-detection was low. To date, there is little definitive evidence of the most suitable strategy for followup (for patients clinically free of disease after primary treatment ). Therefore, it is important that the patient have some understanding to facilitate the follow-up. Among these, general symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, pain, cough, dyspnea, confusion, and edema of legs (mainly unilateral), beside local symptoms such as bleeding and vaginal,

The periodicity recommended for the doctor visits is as follows: 3 to 4 months in the first 2 years; every 6 months for the next 3 years; and annually after this period, maintaining a

[2] Creasman W. New gynecologic cancer staging. Gynecol Oncol 1995;58:157–8

lymphadenectomy is 3–5% and overall 5-year survival is 96%.27

recurrence identified in the primary treatment.

vesical or anal secretion, distension or abdominal pain.28

[1] Mestwerdt G. Zentralbl Gynakol 1947; 69:198-202

[4] Choo YC, et al. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1984; 91:1156-60

[6] Hopman EH, et al. Aus N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1998, 53:97-106

[3] FIGO. Int J Gynecol Oncol 2009; 105:103-4.

[5] Figueiredo PG, et al. RBGO 2003; 24:37-43

lymphadenectomy. 26

**6. Follow-up** 

follow-up for 10 years.

**7. References** 

In relation to microinvasive disease, there are no studies only with this population, the focus of interest of the present chapter. A significant part of the works with initial cases includes patients between FIGO stages IA1 and IB1. Although current studies have shown encouraging results, SLB cannot yet be considered standard treatment for initial cases of cervical carcinoma. Its clinical impact must be demonstrated in randomized studies that compare outcomes such as disease-free survival and global survival between patients submitted to traditional pelvic lymphadenectomy and to the sentinel lymph node technique.

Certainly, one important question in the context of microinvasive carcinoma is the search for more conservative therapies with the establishment of a certain balance between uterine preservation and disease-free surgical margins. On demonstrating a lower lymph node compromise in microinvasive carcinoma, especially when there is no involvement of the lymphovascular space, this balance becomes more appropriate.

The primary treatment of cancer of the cervix and thereby of the microcarcinoma of the cervix is surgery, save exceptions of cases with clinical contraindications to surgery, where radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and the possibility of brachytherapy are valid options. Extended radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomia is the standard treatment for those women who do not want more children, certainly observing the considerations previously indicated, which authorize a more conservative approach. This standard treatment –radical hysterectomy– can be executed by the vaginal route, Schauta-Amreich or Schauta-Stoeckel surgery with videolaparoscopic radical pelvic lymphadenectomy, or by the abdominal route, Wertheim-Meigs surgery.

Dargent surgery, radical trachelectomy with videolaparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, is indicated in young patients who wish to preserve fertility, constituting a more radical alternative than conization. 22

When the discussion of the treatment of cancer of the cervix includes specificities such as the case of microinvasion, it is also necessary to consider other specificities. In this point, we must focus on the characteristics of the disease, with the peculiarities of the stage (IA1 or IA2), of the histologic type and of the presence of invasion of the lymphovascular spaces, as well as on the characteristics of the patient, with possible clinical restrictions, with questions of preservation of fertility and with the consent of treatment options.

For the cases with stage IA1 where we did not find any evidence of involvement of the lymphovascular space, conservative treatment – by conization of the cervix –can be an acceptable option, especially for those patients who wish to preserve fertility. 23, 24 The participation of the patient in agreement with the approach should always be pointed out; at this moment, concordance with a more radical treatment can be an option – with the choice of simple hysterectomy, for example. Current recommendations from the World Health Organization, without specification of histopathologic type, are simple hysterectomy for women with microinvasive cancer stage IA1.25 Risk for recurrence after this treatment is 1% and overall 5-year survival is 99%. 27 When faced with compromise by tumor cells in the lymphovascular space, the indication should be major radical treatment – consisting of total hysterectomy with parametrectomy, resection of the upper third of the vagina and pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Those patients with stage IA2 have a greater potential of lymph node metastasis at this stage, which could also involve a more radical treatment. The cases where no invasion of the lymphovascular space is observed, the complete excision of the lesion by extrafascial hysterectomy or, in selected cases and when there is desire for preservation of fertility, by conization with free margins can be an option. When fertility is not an issue, the treatment proposed here should also be considered, with an indication of hysterectomy. Alternatively, trachelectomy or radical hysterectomy can also be applied, without the need for pelvic lymphadenectomy. 26

As in the previously mentioned cases of involvement of the lymphovascular space, also in the cases of stage IA2, there is an indication of radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. When the preservation of fertility is desired, vaginal radical trachelectomy with extra-peritoneal or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is the option. Risk of recurrence of IA2 tumors treated with radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is 3–5% and overall 5-year survival is 96%.27

#### **6. Follow-up**

136 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

In relation to microinvasive disease, there are no studies only with this population, the focus of interest of the present chapter. A significant part of the works with initial cases includes patients between FIGO stages IA1 and IB1. Although current studies have shown encouraging results, SLB cannot yet be considered standard treatment for initial cases of cervical carcinoma. Its clinical impact must be demonstrated in randomized studies that compare outcomes such as disease-free survival and global survival between patients submitted to traditional pelvic lymphadenectomy and to the sentinel lymph node technique. Certainly, one important question in the context of microinvasive carcinoma is the search for more conservative therapies with the establishment of a certain balance between uterine preservation and disease-free surgical margins. On demonstrating a lower lymph node compromise in microinvasive carcinoma, especially when there is no involvement of the

The primary treatment of cancer of the cervix and thereby of the microcarcinoma of the cervix is surgery, save exceptions of cases with clinical contraindications to surgery, where radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and the possibility of brachytherapy are valid options. Extended radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomia is the standard treatment for those women who do not want more children, certainly observing the considerations previously indicated, which authorize a more conservative approach. This standard treatment –radical hysterectomy– can be executed by the vaginal route, Schauta-Amreich or Schauta-Stoeckel surgery with videolaparoscopic radical pelvic lymphadenectomy, or by the

Dargent surgery, radical trachelectomy with videolaparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, is indicated in young patients who wish to preserve fertility, constituting a more radical

When the discussion of the treatment of cancer of the cervix includes specificities such as the case of microinvasion, it is also necessary to consider other specificities. In this point, we must focus on the characteristics of the disease, with the peculiarities of the stage (IA1 or IA2), of the histologic type and of the presence of invasion of the lymphovascular spaces, as well as on the characteristics of the patient, with possible clinical restrictions, with questions

For the cases with stage IA1 where we did not find any evidence of involvement of the lymphovascular space, conservative treatment – by conization of the cervix –can be an acceptable option, especially for those patients who wish to preserve fertility. 23, 24 The participation of the patient in agreement with the approach should always be pointed out; at this moment, concordance with a more radical treatment can be an option – with the choice of simple hysterectomy, for example. Current recommendations from the World Health Organization, without specification of histopathologic type, are simple hysterectomy for women with microinvasive cancer stage IA1.25 Risk for recurrence after this treatment is 1% and overall 5-year survival is 99%. 27 When faced with compromise by tumor cells in the lymphovascular space, the indication should be major radical treatment – consisting of total hysterectomy with parametrectomy, resection of the upper third of the vagina and pelvic

Those patients with stage IA2 have a greater potential of lymph node metastasis at this stage, which could also involve a more radical treatment. The cases where no invasion of the

lymphovascular space, this balance becomes more appropriate.

of preservation of fertility and with the consent of treatment options.

abdominal route, Wertheim-Meigs surgery.

alternative than conization. 22

lymphadenectomy.

After treatment, the patients should have a regular periodic follow-up with clinical gynecologic examinations, oncotic colpocytology and colposcopy. Follow-up protocols after the conclusion of the initial treatment are variable, using a number of tests in a variety of intervals with debatable results. The components that should be considered for an ideal follow-up program are: (i) optimal interval for the follow-up; (ii) available tests for followup; (iii) modifications in the course of the follow-up in accordance with the risk of recurrence identified in the primary treatment.

The tests available for the follow-up are the following: anamnesis, physical examination, cervical cytology, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, positron emission tomography (PET) and tumor markers. Physical examination and vaginal cytology are the most commonly used methods in the follow-up. The physical examination, especially, has led to a considerable number of detections in patients in which cyto-detection was low. To date, there is little definitive evidence of the most suitable strategy for followup (for patients clinically free of disease after primary treatment ). Therefore, it is important that the patient have some understanding to facilitate the follow-up. Among these, general symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, pain, cough, dyspnea, confusion, and edema of legs (mainly unilateral), beside local symptoms such as bleeding and vaginal, vesical or anal secretion, distension or abdominal pain.28

The periodicity recommended for the doctor visits is as follows: 3 to 4 months in the first 2 years; every 6 months for the next 3 years; and annually after this period, maintaining a follow-up for 10 years.

#### **7. References**


**9** 

Špela Smrkolj

s publication and before

*Slovenia* 

**The Clinical Outcome of Patients with** 

Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women, develops through well-defined precursor lesions with potential to progress to invasive disease if not properly detected and eradicated. In cervical carcinogenesis, human papillomavirus (HPV) plays an important causal role. Besides the evidental causal role in cervical carcinogenesis, HPV is an important prognostic factor for disease progression as well (Syrjänen, 2000). Early invasive carcinoma is an intermediate state in the development of invasive carcinoma from a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. According to clinical experience, the early stage of invasion has much better prognosis when compared to an advanced invasive cancer. This warrants the recognition of microinvasive carcinoma (MIC) as a separate entity among cervical cancer that is not visible at inspection, and therefore only diagnosed by histological examination of

Mestwerdt was the first to notice that cervical cancers with less than 5 mm of invasion behave less malignant and therefore could be treated by less radical surgery. He named these tumours "Mikrokarcinom". Mestwerdt also introduced tumour depth of 5 mm as a parameter of the management of cervical carcinoma and suggested a less radical surgery for such cases. Subsequent authors proposed different maximal depths as the upper limit

the most recent FIGO definition of stage IA cervical cancer in the 1994, an intense discussion has continued concerning the definition of microinvasion, terminology and treatment modalities as related to disease outcome, e.g. lymph node metastasis, reccurence and cancer death (Creasman, 1995). The latest FIGO definition of stage IA1 cervical cancer is defined as cervical carcinoma confined to the uterus with stromal invasion less than 3.0 mm and stage IA2 cervical cancer with stromal invasion more than 3.0 mm but not more than 5.0 mm, with limited horizontal spread beyond 7.0 mm (World Health Organization, 2006). Because of the effective use of screening, an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer in an early stage of the disease. However, many of these cases occur in younger women, for whom the preservation of fertility is desirable. More conservative methods have emerged as alternative treatment modalities for these women, as they may allow for future fertility,

a biopsy specimen that contains the complete lesion (Wright et al., 1994).

of an invasive growth (Mestwerdt, 1947). Following Mestwerdt,

without having a considerable adverse effect on cure rates.

**1. Introduction** 

**Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma** 

*Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana* 


### **The Clinical Outcome of Patients with Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma**

### Špela Smrkolj

*Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana Slovenia* 

#### **1. Introduction**

138 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

[7] Reich O, Pickel H, Tamussino K, Winter R. Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix: site of

[9] Ostor AG: Pandora's box or Ariadne's thread? Definition and prognostic significance of

[11] Biewenga P, Van der Velden J, Mol BW, et al. Prognostic model for survival in patients

[12] Matsuura Y, Kawagoe T, Toki N, Tanaka M, Kashimura M. Long-standing complications

examination at 5 years after treatment. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2006;16:294–7. [13] Rogers, Linda J. MMed, FCOG; Luesley, David M. MA, MD, FRCOG.Stage IA2 Cervical

[14] Sevin BU, Nadji M, Averette HE, Hilsenbeck S, Smith D, Lampe A. Microinvasive

[15] Cabanas RM: An approach for the treatment of penile carcinoma. Cancer 39:456-466, 1977 [16] Robison K, Holman LL, Moore RG. Update on sentinel lymph node evaluation in gynecologic malignancies. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Feb;23(1):8-12. [17] Darlin L, Persson J, Bossmar T, et al. The sentinel node concept in early cervical cancer performs well in tumors smaller than 2 cm. Gynecol Oncol 2010; 117:266–269 [18] LeCuru F, Mathevet P, Querleu D, et al. Bilateral negative sentinel nodes accurately

[19] Roy M, et al, Value of sentinel node mapping in cancer of the cervix, Gynecol Oncol

[20] Martinez A, Zerdoud S, Mery E, Bouissou E, Ferro G, Querleu D. Hybrid imaging by

[21] Pandit-Taskar N, Gemignani ML, Lyall A, Larson SM, Barakat RR, Abu Rustum NR.

[22] Querleu D, Childers JM, Dargent D. Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynecological Oncology.

[23] Stehman FB, Rose PG, Greer BE, Roy M, Plante M, Penalver M et al. Innovations in the treatment of invasive cervical cancer. Cancer 2003;98(9 Suppl):2052-63.

[25] Comprehensive cervical cancer control: a guide to essential practice. WHO Press.

[26] Creasman WT, Zaino RJ, Major FJ, DiSaia PJ, Hatch KD, Homesley HD. Early invasive

Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:62-5. [27] Benedet JL, Odicino F, Maisonneuve P, et al. Carcinoma of the cervix uteri. Int J

[28] Elit L, Fyles AW, Devries MC, Oliver TK, Fung-Kee-Fung M; Gynecology Cancer

carcinoma of the cervix (3 to 5 mm invasion): risk factors and prognosis. A

Disease Site Group. Follow-up for women after treatment for cervical cancer: a systematic review. Gynecol Oncol. 2009 Sep;114(3):528-35. Epub 2009 Jun 26.

[24] Kesic V. Management of cervical cancer. Eur J Surg Oncol 2006;32(8):832-7.

microinvasion in the uterine cervix: squamous lesions. Pathology Annual 1995;

after treatment for cancer of the uterine cervix—clinical significance of medical

Carcinoma: How Much Treatment Is Enough?. International Journal of

predict absence of lymph node metastasis in early cervical cancer: results of the

SPECT/CT for sentinel lymph node detection in patients with cancer of the uterine

Single photon emission computed tomography SPECT-CT improves sentinel node detection and localization in cervical and uterine malignancy. Gynecol Oncol. 2010

the first focus invasion. Obstet Gynecol 2001; 97:890-2.

with early stage cervical cancer. Cancer 2011;117:768–76.

Gynecological Cancer. 19(9):1620-1624, December 2009.

carcinoma of the cervix. Cancer 1992 ;70:2121-8.

SENTICOL study. J Clin Oncol 2011;29:1686–91

cervix. Gynecol Oncol. 2010;119(3):431-5.

(2011), doi:10.1016; 2011.04.002

Oxford: Blackwell Science, 1999.

Geneva, Switzerland. 2006. pp179-181.

Gynaecol Obstst 2003;83(Suppl 1):41-78.

Apr;117(1):59-64.

[8] Lee KBM, et al. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2006, 16:1184-1187

103-136

[10] Roche WD & Norris HJ. 1975

Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women, develops through well-defined precursor lesions with potential to progress to invasive disease if not properly detected and eradicated. In cervical carcinogenesis, human papillomavirus (HPV) plays an important causal role. Besides the evidental causal role in cervical carcinogenesis, HPV is an important prognostic factor for disease progression as well (Syrjänen, 2000). Early invasive carcinoma is an intermediate state in the development of invasive carcinoma from a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. According to clinical experience, the early stage of invasion has much better prognosis when compared to an advanced invasive cancer. This warrants the recognition of microinvasive carcinoma (MIC) as a separate entity among cervical cancer that is not visible at inspection, and therefore only diagnosed by histological examination of a biopsy specimen that contains the complete lesion (Wright et al., 1994).

Mestwerdt was the first to notice that cervical cancers with less than 5 mm of invasion behave less malignant and therefore could be treated by less radical surgery. He named these tumours "Mikrokarcinom". Mestwerdt also introduced tumour depth of 5 mm as a parameter of the management of cervical carcinoma and suggested a less radical surgery for such cases. Subsequent authors proposed different maximal depths as the upper limit of an invasive growth (Mestwerdt, 1947). Following Mestwerdt, s publication and before the most recent FIGO definition of stage IA cervical cancer in the 1994, an intense discussion has continued concerning the definition of microinvasion, terminology and treatment modalities as related to disease outcome, e.g. lymph node metastasis, reccurence and cancer death (Creasman, 1995). The latest FIGO definition of stage IA1 cervical cancer is defined as cervical carcinoma confined to the uterus with stromal invasion less than 3.0 mm and stage IA2 cervical cancer with stromal invasion more than 3.0 mm but not more than 5.0 mm, with limited horizontal spread beyond 7.0 mm (World Health Organization, 2006). Because of the effective use of screening, an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer in an early stage of the disease. However, many of these cases occur in younger women, for whom the preservation of fertility is desirable. More conservative methods have emerged as alternative treatment modalities for these women, as they may allow for future fertility, without having a considerable adverse effect on cure rates.

The Clinical Outcome of Patients with Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma 141

desired or

with or

or

and

Fig. 1. Treatment options for MIC: accurate pathologic evaluation and negative cone

Reports describing primary radiotherapy for microinvasive cervical cancer are limited and generally include patients who have medical contraindications to surgery. As opposed to patients with larger volume invasive disease , brachytherapy is often the sole, or major, component of radiation used. Brachytherapy alone is an effective treatment for nonsurgical candidates with microinvasive cervical carcinoma. The incidence of lymph node metastasis and regional relapse following brachytherapy, is very low for small-volume invasive cervical carcinoma, particularly in those with maximal depth of stromal invasion less than 5

Recommended follow-up for patients with MIC after completed therapy is every 3 months during the first year, then every 6 months up to 5 years and annually afterwards. Investigations in addition to gynaecological examination, including cytology and colposcopy, should be performed depending on symptoms, local findings and general

Conization if preservation of fertility is

Simple (extrafascial, type A) hysterectomy

without salpingoophorectomy

Conization or radical trachelectomy if preservation of fertility is desired

Pelvic lymphadenectomy

Primary radiation therapy.

Modified radical hysterectomy (type B)

**Stage IA1, LVSI negative:**

**IA2:**

**Stage IA1 with extensive LVSI and Stage** 

**Stage IA1 or IA2 nonsurgical candidates:**

margins for 2009 FIGO staging.

mm (Greer et al., 1990).

condition of the patient (ESGO, 2010).

The objective of this review is to discuss the management of patients with microinvasive cervical cancer and present the Ljubljana experience on management of FIGO stage IA (both IA1 and IA2) cervical cancer.

#### **2. Management of stage IA cervical carcinoma**

Lesions of the microinvasive type present a paradox in that they breach the basement membrane yet are rarely associated with metastasis. Traditionally the presence of stromal invasion predetermines a belief that metastasis is imminent and radical surgery obligatory. There is now considerable debate on the necessity for obligate radicality by radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy or radical irradiation such that conservative management, simple hysterectomy or even therapeutic cone biopsy, are alternatives in most cases. Individualization of treatment to reduce therapy-associated early and late morbidity is the most current trend in cervical cancer surgery. Despite advances over the past 3 decades in decreasing the morbidity of treatment, the cure rate associated with radical surgery (approximately 90%) has not changed appreciably. The limited risk of parametrial and nodes involvement in case of MIC unbalances the morbidity of radical hysterectomy and pelvic node removal.

Figure 1 shows the treatment options for microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix, based on the latest guidelines within the ESGO community and prepared by ESGO Educational Committee (ESGO, 2010).

Conization as definitive therapy should be reserved for patients who desire fertility preservation. The candidates for this procedure would be those patients with FIGO stage IA1 disease (less than or equal to 3 mm stromal invasion). The selection criteria for this conservative approach to definitive therapy should include squamous histology, negative conization margin, and adequate pathologic processing of the tissue specimen. The patient needs to be compliant with a follow-up regimen. In patients with 3 mm or less depth of stromal invasion who do not desire fertility preservation, a simple extrafascial hysterectomy can be performed.

Patients with FIGO stage IA2 cervical carcinoma can be treated with modified radical hysterectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. Selection of such patients for a modified radical hysterectomy include squamous histology with negative conization margins following adequate pathologic processing of tissue.

Patients with positive cone margins should be treated as if they had frankly invasive disease and undergo a radical hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection.

The patients who are nonsurgical candidates or individuals not opting for surgical management should be treated with primary radiation therapy.

The use of adjuvant radiation therapy in lymph node positive patients has been controversial. A recent studies indicates that postoperative radiotherapy in node positive cervix cancer significantly improves pelvic control, disease-free survival, and overall survival.

The objective of this review is to discuss the management of patients with microinvasive cervical cancer and present the Ljubljana experience on management of FIGO stage IA (both

Lesions of the microinvasive type present a paradox in that they breach the basement membrane yet are rarely associated with metastasis. Traditionally the presence of stromal invasion predetermines a belief that metastasis is imminent and radical surgery obligatory. There is now considerable debate on the necessity for obligate radicality by radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy or radical irradiation such that conservative management, simple hysterectomy or even therapeutic cone biopsy, are alternatives in most cases. Individualization of treatment to reduce therapy-associated early and late morbidity is the most current trend in cervical cancer surgery. Despite advances over the past 3 decades in decreasing the morbidity of treatment, the cure rate associated with radical surgery (approximately 90%) has not changed appreciably. The limited risk of parametrial and nodes involvement in case of MIC unbalances the morbidity of radical hysterectomy

Figure 1 shows the treatment options for microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix, based on the latest guidelines within the ESGO community and prepared by ESGO Educational

Conization as definitive therapy should be reserved for patients who desire fertility preservation. The candidates for this procedure would be those patients with FIGO stage IA1 disease (less than or equal to 3 mm stromal invasion). The selection criteria for this conservative approach to definitive therapy should include squamous histology, negative conization margin, and adequate pathologic processing of the tissue specimen. The patient needs to be compliant with a follow-up regimen. In patients with 3 mm or less depth of stromal invasion who do not desire fertility preservation, a simple extrafascial hysterectomy

Patients with FIGO stage IA2 cervical carcinoma can be treated with modified radical hysterectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. Selection of such patients for a modified radical hysterectomy include squamous histology with negative conization

Patients with positive cone margins should be treated as if they had frankly invasive disease and undergo a radical hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymph node

The patients who are nonsurgical candidates or individuals not opting for surgical

The use of adjuvant radiation therapy in lymph node positive patients has been controversial. A recent studies indicates that postoperative radiotherapy in node positive cervix cancer significantly improves pelvic control, disease-free survival, and overall

margins following adequate pathologic processing of tissue.

management should be treated with primary radiation therapy.

IA1 and IA2) cervical cancer.

and pelvic node removal.

Committee (ESGO, 2010).

can be performed.

dissection.

survival.

**2. Management of stage IA cervical carcinoma** 


Fig. 1. Treatment options for MIC: accurate pathologic evaluation and negative cone margins for 2009 FIGO staging.

Reports describing primary radiotherapy for microinvasive cervical cancer are limited and generally include patients who have medical contraindications to surgery. As opposed to patients with larger volume invasive disease , brachytherapy is often the sole, or major, component of radiation used. Brachytherapy alone is an effective treatment for nonsurgical candidates with microinvasive cervical carcinoma. The incidence of lymph node metastasis and regional relapse following brachytherapy, is very low for small-volume invasive cervical carcinoma, particularly in those with maximal depth of stromal invasion less than 5 mm (Greer et al., 1990).

Recommended follow-up for patients with MIC after completed therapy is every 3 months during the first year, then every 6 months up to 5 years and annually afterwards. Investigations in addition to gynaecological examination, including cytology and colposcopy, should be performed depending on symptoms, local findings and general condition of the patient (ESGO, 2010).

The Clinical Outcome of Patients with Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma 143

I. Cellular type - large cell type 1


II. Mitotic activity (per high power field) - 5 -10 mitoses 1

III. Type of invasion - pushing borders, singular buds 1

IV. Defence reaction - poor 1

V. Capillary-like space invasion - present 10

VI. Depth of invasion - less than 3 mm 2

patients. If resection margins were not disease-free or lateral clearance was not adequate, the suggested treatment was hysterectomy to avoid late recurrence. However the frequency of Wertheim radical hysterectomy and simple hysterectomy have declined accordingly. The Wertheim radical hysterectomy was performed only in 9,0 % of the cases, mostly due to incorrect preoperative diagnosis of invasive carcinoma, based on scanty biopsy material. The pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 11,2% of the cases, in these cases LVSI was present and the pelvic nodes were invariably free of cancer. The frequency of lymph node metastases in stage IA2 cervical cancer is reported to range from 0% to 9,7%. LVSI seems to play an important role in the risk of lymph node metastases in stage IA2 cervical cancer. The recent published article from Rogers LJ et al.

Table 1. Scoring of the morphological criteria of MIC



**Morphological criteria Points** 





5

7

#### **3. The Ljubljana experience on management of stage IA cervical carcinoma and the clinical outcome of our patients**

The Ljubljana experience on management of stage IA (both IA1 and IA2) cervical cancer consists of accumulated experience during several observation periods. During the period of 1960-1972, the surgical treatment in our institution followed the principle that cancer is cancer, therefore radical treatment is justified. During that period, 290 cases of stage IA cervical carcinoma were treated, the great majority by vaginal radical hysterectomy and abdominal radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy. Positive lymph nodes were found in none of these cases (Kovačič et al., 1989).

Our accumulated experience on the minimal risk of metastatic spread and reccurence, improved understanding of the development of early stages of cervical carcinoma, and the increasing frequency of young women wishing to preserve fertility were the reasons for the increased use of conservative treatment. A conservative surgical approach for MIC, FIGO stage IA was adopted when a scoring system was implemented in 1979, based on the evaluation of morphological criteria and exact estimation of the tumor size (Rainer, 1978). This scoring system has been used since 1979 as the basis for selecting treatment for all patients with stage IA cervical carcinoma. Table 1 shows the Rainer's scoring system.

The present scoring system was established when there was no definitive international consensus on the classification of MIC. The definition was vague and the criteria for identification varied. The applied score enabled uniform estimation of all histological criteria in every case and was effective in making decisions about the treatment modalities in individual cases. To obtain an unbiased estimation of the tumor size and its various histological parameters, 70 cases of MIC were subjected to stereological analysis (Eržen et al., 1995). The results of this analysis were used to define the criteria for the scoring system. The depth of stromal invasion, mitotic activity, pattern of invasion, host defence reaction and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) were evaluated and scored. The patient's age and her wish to preserve fertility were also taken into consideration.

During the first observation period (1960 – 1972), the cases with the depth of infiltration more than 3 mm were classified as stage IB. If the clinical data including the patient, s general condition and the surgeon, s competence were not taken into consideration, the following total scores were used as the criteria of selection for the different treatment modalities.

Between 1989 and 1993 conization was the definitive treatment for patients with a score of 7 points or less, simple vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy was performed in those who scored 8 to 12 points, and radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy was suggested in patients with more than 12 points, using the Rainer's scoring system. According to this scoring system which was further modified in 1994 for MIC stage IA2, radical hysterectomy was no longer indicated. Until 1997 lymphadenectomy was performed only in patients with LVSI, and thereafter in all of the patients with MIC IA2.

During the observation period from 1973 to 2009 the rate of conisation with/without pelvic lymphadenectomy as the sole mode of treatment of MIC, FIGO stage IA has increased continuously and was the definitive treatment for almost 75% of all our

**3. The Ljubljana experience on management of stage IA cervical carcinoma** 

The Ljubljana experience on management of stage IA (both IA1 and IA2) cervical cancer consists of accumulated experience during several observation periods. During the period of 1960-1972, the surgical treatment in our institution followed the principle that cancer is cancer, therefore radical treatment is justified. During that period, 290 cases of stage IA cervical carcinoma were treated, the great majority by vaginal radical hysterectomy and abdominal radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy. Positive lymph nodes were found

Our accumulated experience on the minimal risk of metastatic spread and reccurence, improved understanding of the development of early stages of cervical carcinoma, and the increasing frequency of young women wishing to preserve fertility were the reasons for the increased use of conservative treatment. A conservative surgical approach for MIC, FIGO stage IA was adopted when a scoring system was implemented in 1979, based on the evaluation of morphological criteria and exact estimation of the tumor size (Rainer, 1978). This scoring system has been used since 1979 as the basis for selecting treatment for all

patients with stage IA cervical carcinoma. Table 1 shows the Rainer's scoring system.

her wish to preserve fertility were also taken into consideration.

LVSI, and thereafter in all of the patients with MIC IA2.

general condition and the surgeon,

modalities.

The present scoring system was established when there was no definitive international consensus on the classification of MIC. The definition was vague and the criteria for identification varied. The applied score enabled uniform estimation of all histological criteria in every case and was effective in making decisions about the treatment modalities in individual cases. To obtain an unbiased estimation of the tumor size and its various histological parameters, 70 cases of MIC were subjected to stereological analysis (Eržen et al., 1995). The results of this analysis were used to define the criteria for the scoring system. The depth of stromal invasion, mitotic activity, pattern of invasion, host defence reaction and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) were evaluated and scored. The patient's age and

During the first observation period (1960 – 1972), the cases with the depth of infiltration more than 3 mm were classified as stage IB. If the clinical data including the patient,

following total scores were used as the criteria of selection for the different treatment

Between 1989 and 1993 conization was the definitive treatment for patients with a score of 7 points or less, simple vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy was performed in those who scored 8 to 12 points, and radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy was suggested in patients with more than 12 points, using the Rainer's scoring system. According to this scoring system which was further modified in 1994 for MIC stage IA2, radical hysterectomy was no longer indicated. Until 1997 lymphadenectomy was performed only in patients with

During the observation period from 1973 to 2009 the rate of conisation with/without pelvic lymphadenectomy as the sole mode of treatment of MIC, FIGO stage IA has increased continuously and was the definitive treatment for almost 75% of all our

s competence were not taken into consideration, the

s

**and the clinical outcome of our patients** 

in none of these cases (Kovačič et al., 1989).


Table 1. Scoring of the morphological criteria of MIC

patients. If resection margins were not disease-free or lateral clearance was not adequate, the suggested treatment was hysterectomy to avoid late recurrence. However the frequency of Wertheim radical hysterectomy and simple hysterectomy have declined accordingly. The Wertheim radical hysterectomy was performed only in 9,0 % of the cases, mostly due to incorrect preoperative diagnosis of invasive carcinoma, based on scanty biopsy material. The pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 11,2% of the cases, in these cases LVSI was present and the pelvic nodes were invariably free of cancer. The frequency of lymph node metastases in stage IA2 cervical cancer is reported to range from 0% to 9,7%. LVSI seems to play an important role in the risk of lymph node metastases in stage IA2 cervical cancer. The recent published article from Rogers LJ et al.

The Clinical Outcome of Patients with Microinvasive Cervical Carcinoma 145

listed major prognostic factors, the outcome of early invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix could also be significantly affected by: subjectivity of microscopical examination and estimation of histological parameters in differential diagnosis, adequate sampling and technical preparation of all cervical biopsy specimen, particularly adequate handling and

Each of these factors should be considered thoroughly when the prognosis of the disease is assessed, not just from the standpoint of eradicating the cancer, but also to avoid unnecessary over-treatment and with respect to the functional integrity of the patients wishing to preserve fertility. In the near future, the diagnostic procedure should also benefit from immunohistochemical and molecular methods used to predict the behaviour of all tumours classified as microinvasive carcinoma that reccur and progress to frankly invasive

Creasman WT. *Modification of the staging for stage I vulvar and stage Icervical cancer*. Int J

Eržen M, Rainer S, Kališnik M, Kovačič J, Blejec A. *Classification of microinvasive carcinoma of* 

Eržen M, Rakar S. *Prognostic factors in microinvasive cervical carcinoma*. CME J Gynecol Oncol

Kesić V, Cibula D, Kimmig R, Lopez A, Marth C, Reed N, et al. *Algorithms for management of* 

Greer BE et al. *Gynecologic radiotherapy fields defined by intraoperative measurements.* Gynecol

Kovačič J, Eržen M, Rainer S. *Current surgical controversies in the management of early cancer of* 

Syrjänen K. *Early detection of CIN, HPV and prevention of cervical cancer*. In: Syrjänen K,

Smrkolj S, Pogačnik RK, Slabe N, Rakar S. *Clinical outcome of patients with FIGO stage IA2 squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.* Gynecol Oncol 124 (2012): 63-66. World Health Organization. *Comprehensive cervical cancer control: A guide to essential practice*.

Mestwerdt G. *Die Frúhdiagnose des Kollumkarzinoms*. Zentralbl Gynákol 1947; 69: 198-202. Rainer S. *Patohistološka merila pri zdravljenju karcinoma cerviksa stadija Ia /Pathohistologic factors* 

*the cervix.* 4th round table: Current treatments in cervical and endometrial cancer.

*/ features in the treatment of cervical cancer stage Ia/*. Jugoslov Ginek Obstet 1978: 18;

Syrjänen S, eds. Papillomavirus infections in human pathology. Chapter 8. J. Wiley

*cervical cancer.* ESGO Educational Committee, 2010.

*the uterine cervix using quantitative analysis of pathological features and linear discriminant function.* Advances on Gynecological Oncology. CIC Edizioni

sampling of the cones and hysterectomy specimens.

Gynecol Obstet 1995; 50: 215-6.

Internationali, Roma, 1995.

2001; 6: 307-23.

149-54.

Oncol 1990; 38: 421-4.

Eur J Gynecol Oncol 1989; 10: 216-7.

Sons, New York, 2000: 252-80.

(http://www.who.int/reproductive-

Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006.

heealth/publications/cervical\_cancer\_gep/text.pdf.).

carcinomas.

**5. References** 

suggests that the latest studies adhering to the FIGO definitions showed a 0,5% incidence of lymph node metastases in stage IA2 cervical carcinomas, which is not as high as was previously believed. The very low rate of positive lymph nodes in correctly staged IA2 cases therefore cannot justify the inclusion of lymphadenectomy as part of standardised care for these patients (Eržen et al, 2001).

The first abdominal radical trachelectomy in our Department was performed by Professor Novak in 1954, but it did not become part of the standardized protocol; it was performed only in a few cases. In 2008 radical trachelectomy (abdominal and laparoscopic) was reintroduced and has been a treatment tool in our Department since.

The Rainer's scoring system has been used at the Department since 1979 as the basis for selecting the treatment option for all patients with stage IA cervical carcinoma, but has generally not gained acceptance. When all the unfavorable prognostic factors are discussed and excluded by the tumor board the treatment of patients with IA MIC wishing to preserve fertility is individualized (Smrkolj et al., 2012).

#### **4. Conclusion**

We suggest that treatment of MIC IA can be less radical, particularly for young women who want to preserve their fertility and anatomical integrity, especially if LVSI is absent. The treatment of stage IA should be based on the evaluation of prognostic factors in addition to an adequate assessment of the tumour size. Both parameters should be accurately evaluated by examination of numerous or serial step sections of cervical cones. Individualisation of treatment in patients wishing to preserve fertility should be done when all the unfavourable prognostic factors are excluded. Standardisation of the microscopic examination of the cervix is highly recommended. Cone margins should be carefully examined and proven disease-free. Cases with incorrect clinical estimation of the tumour size, associated with histological diagnosis of invasive carcinoma in punch biopsy, may still result in over-treatment when stage IA is found in cervical specimen after radical hysterectomy. Preoperative high resolution magnetic resonance imaging with an endovaginal coil or preoperative 3D-ultrasound perhaps could identify such patients with small tumour volume and might avoid unnecessary radical operation. According to our experience, follow-up of the patients after conization by regular pelvic examination, cytology and colposcopy is mandatory at least every six months for two years, and yearly thereafter.

Correct diagnosis and adequate treatment of early invasive cervical carcinoma, stage IA, should take into account the existing information of the prognostic factors. This is essential to individualise the treatment to avoid unnecessary risks, as well as over- or undertreatment. Such prognostic factors include: adequate estimation of the tumour size, lymphatic vessel invasion, type of confluence of the invasion, mitotic activity, host defence reaction and accurate examination of the surgical margins. Unfortunately, the existing FIGO staging systems disregard some other important prognostic factors in early cervical carcinoma such as capillary-like space invasion, type of invasion and mitotic activity. The most frequently reported factors increasing the risk for lymph node metastasis, reccurence and cancer death are: depth and pattern of stromal invasion, involvement of lymphatic and vascular space, tumour volume and state of the resection margins. In addition to the above listed major prognostic factors, the outcome of early invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix could also be significantly affected by: subjectivity of microscopical examination and estimation of histological parameters in differential diagnosis, adequate sampling and technical preparation of all cervical biopsy specimen, particularly adequate handling and sampling of the cones and hysterectomy specimens.

Each of these factors should be considered thoroughly when the prognosis of the disease is assessed, not just from the standpoint of eradicating the cancer, but also to avoid unnecessary over-treatment and with respect to the functional integrity of the patients wishing to preserve fertility. In the near future, the diagnostic procedure should also benefit from immunohistochemical and molecular methods used to predict the behaviour of all tumours classified as microinvasive carcinoma that reccur and progress to frankly invasive carcinomas.

#### **5. References**

144 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

suggests that the latest studies adhering to the FIGO definitions showed a 0,5% incidence of lymph node metastases in stage IA2 cervical carcinomas, which is not as high as was previously believed. The very low rate of positive lymph nodes in correctly staged IA2 cases therefore cannot justify the inclusion of lymphadenectomy as part of standardised

The first abdominal radical trachelectomy in our Department was performed by Professor Novak in 1954, but it did not become part of the standardized protocol; it was performed only in a few cases. In 2008 radical trachelectomy (abdominal and laparoscopic) was re-

The Rainer's scoring system has been used at the Department since 1979 as the basis for selecting the treatment option for all patients with stage IA cervical carcinoma, but has generally not gained acceptance. When all the unfavorable prognostic factors are discussed and excluded by the tumor board the treatment of patients with IA MIC wishing to preserve

We suggest that treatment of MIC IA can be less radical, particularly for young women who want to preserve their fertility and anatomical integrity, especially if LVSI is absent. The treatment of stage IA should be based on the evaluation of prognostic factors in addition to an adequate assessment of the tumour size. Both parameters should be accurately evaluated by examination of numerous or serial step sections of cervical cones. Individualisation of treatment in patients wishing to preserve fertility should be done when all the unfavourable prognostic factors are excluded. Standardisation of the microscopic examination of the cervix is highly recommended. Cone margins should be carefully examined and proven disease-free. Cases with incorrect clinical estimation of the tumour size, associated with histological diagnosis of invasive carcinoma in punch biopsy, may still result in over-treatment when stage IA is found in cervical specimen after radical hysterectomy. Preoperative high resolution magnetic resonance imaging with an endovaginal coil or preoperative 3D-ultrasound perhaps could identify such patients with small tumour volume and might avoid unnecessary radical operation. According to our experience, follow-up of the patients after conization by regular pelvic examination, cytology and colposcopy is mandatory at least every six months for two years, and yearly

Correct diagnosis and adequate treatment of early invasive cervical carcinoma, stage IA, should take into account the existing information of the prognostic factors. This is essential to individualise the treatment to avoid unnecessary risks, as well as over- or undertreatment. Such prognostic factors include: adequate estimation of the tumour size, lymphatic vessel invasion, type of confluence of the invasion, mitotic activity, host defence reaction and accurate examination of the surgical margins. Unfortunately, the existing FIGO staging systems disregard some other important prognostic factors in early cervical carcinoma such as capillary-like space invasion, type of invasion and mitotic activity. The most frequently reported factors increasing the risk for lymph node metastasis, reccurence and cancer death are: depth and pattern of stromal invasion, involvement of lymphatic and vascular space, tumour volume and state of the resection margins. In addition to the above

introduced and has been a treatment tool in our Department since.

care for these patients (Eržen et al, 2001).

fertility is individualized (Smrkolj et al., 2012).

**4. Conclusion** 

thereafter.


(http://www.who.int/reproductive-

heealth/publications/cervical\_cancer\_gep/text.pdf.).

**10** 

*France* 

**New Therapeutic Targets** 

Magali Provansal1, Maria Cappiello1,

*1Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille 2Faculty of Medicine of Marseille* 

Frederique Rousseau1, Anthony Goncalves1,2 and Patrice Viens1,2

Cervical cancer occurs in approximately 500,000 women and kills 288,000 women worldwide each year. Prognosis is highly dependent on disease stage at diagnosis. When detected early, cervical cancer is generally curable. Early lesions are treated surgically and locally advanced lesions are managed with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and pelvic radiation. Unfortunately, responses to chemoradiation are partial and are of short duration. Metastatic disease or recurrent lesions not amenable to radical local excision or regional radiation are treated with palliative chemotherapy. Current chemotherapeutic regimens are associated with significant side effects and only limited activity making the identification of

The evidence supporting the biological rational to combine novel non-cytotoxic agents with chemoradiotherapy is strong, and drugs targeting different molecular pathways are currently under clinical development (EGFR inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors, hypoxia targeted agents, etc). Early pre-clinical and clinical strategies also favor the use of vascular-targeted agents with the aim to normalize the abnormal tumor vasculature, increase tumor oxygenation, and reduce interstitial fluid pressure. The integration of these novel targeted therapies with chemoradiotherapy in clinical trials is discussed, as well as new and

**2. Overexpression of epidermal growth factor type-1 receptor (EGF-R1) in cervical cancer: A possible therapeutic target for cervical carcinoma** 

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor type-1 receptor (EGF-R1) has been found in

Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody, binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and competitively inhibits the binding of epidermal growth factor and other ligands. Cetuximab is clinically approved for the treatment of EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer and advanced head and neck cancer. Cetuximab might be a novel and attractive therapeutic strategy in patients harboring chemotherapy-resistant,

active and tolerable novel targeted agents a high priority.

promising biomarkers to test drug activity (Herrera, 2008).

more than 70% of carcinomas of the cervix.

recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.

**2.1 Cetuximab** 

**1. Introduction** 

Wright TC, Ferenczy A, Kurman RJ. et al*. Carcinoma and other tumours of the cervix*. In: Kurman RJ, ed. Blausstein, s Pathology of the female genital tract. 4th edn. New York, Springer –Verlag, 1994: 284-7.

## **New Therapeutic Targets**

Magali Provansal1, Maria Cappiello1,

Frederique Rousseau1, Anthony Goncalves1,2 and Patrice Viens1,2 *1Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille 2Faculty of Medicine of Marseille France* 

#### **1. Introduction**

146 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Wright TC, Ferenczy A, Kurman RJ. et al*. Carcinoma and other tumours of the cervix*. In:

s Pathology of the female genital tract. 4th edn. New

Kurman RJ, ed. Blausstein,

York, Springer –Verlag, 1994: 284-7.

Cervical cancer occurs in approximately 500,000 women and kills 288,000 women worldwide each year. Prognosis is highly dependent on disease stage at diagnosis. When detected early, cervical cancer is generally curable. Early lesions are treated surgically and locally advanced lesions are managed with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and pelvic radiation. Unfortunately, responses to chemoradiation are partial and are of short duration.

Metastatic disease or recurrent lesions not amenable to radical local excision or regional radiation are treated with palliative chemotherapy. Current chemotherapeutic regimens are associated with significant side effects and only limited activity making the identification of active and tolerable novel targeted agents a high priority.

The evidence supporting the biological rational to combine novel non-cytotoxic agents with chemoradiotherapy is strong, and drugs targeting different molecular pathways are currently under clinical development (EGFR inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors, hypoxia targeted agents, etc). Early pre-clinical and clinical strategies also favor the use of vascular-targeted agents with the aim to normalize the abnormal tumor vasculature, increase tumor oxygenation, and reduce interstitial fluid pressure. The integration of these novel targeted therapies with chemoradiotherapy in clinical trials is discussed, as well as new and promising biomarkers to test drug activity (Herrera, 2008).

#### **2. Overexpression of epidermal growth factor type-1 receptor (EGF-R1) in cervical cancer: A possible therapeutic target for cervical carcinoma**

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor type-1 receptor (EGF-R1) has been found in more than 70% of carcinomas of the cervix.

#### **2.1 Cetuximab**

Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody, binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and competitively inhibits the binding of epidermal growth factor and other ligands. Cetuximab is clinically approved for the treatment of EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer and advanced head and neck cancer. Cetuximab might be a novel and attractive therapeutic strategy in patients harboring chemotherapy-resistant, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.

New Therapeutic Targets 149

new cohort of 150 mg was started. No further grade 4 toxicity occurred. Grade 3 toxicity occurred in 6 cases: diarrhea in 3 patients, rash in 2 patients, and leukopenia in 1 patient.

This study showed that erlotinib + CRT was feasible to locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer and was well tolerated. The maximum tolerated dose has been defined as

A phase II trial of erlotinib in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was aimed to determine the proportion of patients with tumor response, the proportion who survived progression-free for at least 6 months and the frequency and severity of toxicities of patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with erlotinib. This multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of oral erlotinib at an initial dosage of 150 mg daily until progressive disease or adverse effects prohibited

Twenty-eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled and 25 patients were evaluable. There were no objective responses, with 4 (16%) patients achieving stable disease; only 1 patient had a progression-free survival of 6 months (4%) or more. Erlotinib was well tolerated, with the most common drug-related adverse events being gastrointestinal toxicities, fatigue, and rash. This study showed that erlotinib was inactive as monotherapy in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (Schilder, 2009).

Evidence suggests the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed at moderate to high levels in cervical carcinomas. A multicenter, open-label, non-comparative phase II trial (study 1839IL/0075) investigated whether gefitinib (IRESSA), an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a potential second- or third-line treatment option for patients with recurring locoregionally advanced or metastatic cervical cancer. This study evaluated the clinical

Thirty patients with squamous-cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma were recruited from six centers in France. Of these, 28 patients were evaluable for efficacy. Although there were no objective responses, six (20%) patients experienced stable disease with a median duration of 111.5 days. Median time to progression was 37 days and median overall survival was 107 days. Disease control did not appear to correlate with levels of EGFR expression. Gefitinib was well tolerated, with the most common drug-related adverse events being skin and

This study showed that gefitinib has only minimal monotherapy activity in recurrent disease resistant to standard treatment. However, the observation that 20% of patients treated with

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor that plays a critical role across many cellular processes including embryonic and neuronal development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses to infection and inflammation. Dysregulation of NF-

gefitinib had stable disease may warrant further investigation (Goncalves, 2008).

kappaB signaling is associated with inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

Erlotinib +CRT did not lead to limiting in-field toxicity.

150 mg (Nogueira-Rodrigues, 2008).

outcomes of 500 mg/day gefitinib.

gastrointestinal toxicities.

**3. NF-κB inhibition** 

further therapy.

**2.3 Gefitinib** 

As anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies sensitise tumours, Cetuximab's toxicity plus chemoradiation on cervical cancer cells which express different EGFR levels was investigated. This study showed that Cetuximab combined with chemoradiation, trastuzumab or MAPK inhibitors has useful applications for cervical cancer treatment, independently of EGFR expression (Meira, 2009).

In cervical cancer the expression of EGFR is reported in up to 85% of the tumour cells. Therefore, Cetuximab monotherapy could be a new option in the treatment of patients with advanced cervical cancer.

In a retrospective study, 5 patients with stage IIB to IVB cervical cancer were treated with Cetuximab monotherapy 250 mg/m² weekly after an initial loading dose of 400 mg/m² as third- to fifth-line therapy. Only one patient (20%) had a stable disease, and the other four a progressive disease. Four out of five patients (80%) developed an acneiform rash. The median survival time was 8.6 months.

This study showed no advantage in the treatment with Cetuximab monotherapy in patients with advanced cervical cancer. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the significance of Cetuximab in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer (Hertlein, 2011).

In a phase II GINECO trial, patients with advanced cervical squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma and at least one measurable target received intravenous cisplatin 50 mg/m² on day 1 plus topotecan 0.75 mg/m²/day from days 1 to 3 every 3 weeks combined with cetuximab (initial dose of 400 mg/m² followed by subsequent weekly dose of 250 mg/m²).

Nineteen out of the 44 planned patients were accrued before the study was stopped early due to excessive toxicity. The most frequent adverse event was severe myelosuppression. The main grades 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities were infection (39%) and febrile neutropenia (28%), skin reactions (22%), renal toxicity (11%), and pulmonary embolism (11%). Five (28%) patients died during the treatment including 3 deaths related to treatment toxicity. Six (32%) evaluable patients achieved a partial response. The median times of progression free survival and overall survival were 172 and 220 days, respectively.

In this phase II trial, the combination cisplatin - topotecan - cetuximab induced a high rate of serious adverse and/or fatal events at standard dose and schedule (Kurtz, 2009).

#### **2.2 Erlotinib**

A phase I trial was aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and related toxicity of erlotinib when administered concurrently with cisplatin and radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer. There was three cohorts of at least three patients receiving escalating doses of erlotinib combined with cisplatin (40 mg/m², weekly, 5 cycles) and radiotherapy (external beam 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions, followed by 4 fractions/600 cGy/weekly of brachytherapy) in squamous cell cervical carcinoma patients, stage IIB to IIIB.

Fifteen patients were enrolled, 3 at dose level (DL) 50 mg, 4 at DL 100 mg, and 8 at DL 150 mg. Patients presented median age 47 (36-59), stage IIB (46.2%) and IIIB (53.8%). Overall, erlotinib+CRT was well-tolerated. Three patients did not complete the planned schedule. One patient at DL 100 mg withdrew informed consent due to grade 2 rash; at DL 150 mg, 1 patient presented Raynaud's Syndrome and had C interrupted, and another patient presented grade 4 hepatotoxicity. The latter was interpreted as dose limiting toxicity and a

As anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies sensitise tumours, Cetuximab's toxicity plus chemoradiation on cervical cancer cells which express different EGFR levels was investigated. This study showed that Cetuximab combined with chemoradiation, trastuzumab or MAPK inhibitors has useful applications for cervical cancer treatment,

In cervical cancer the expression of EGFR is reported in up to 85% of the tumour cells. Therefore, Cetuximab monotherapy could be a new option in the treatment of patients with

In a retrospective study, 5 patients with stage IIB to IVB cervical cancer were treated with Cetuximab monotherapy 250 mg/m² weekly after an initial loading dose of 400 mg/m² as third- to fifth-line therapy. Only one patient (20%) had a stable disease, and the other four a progressive disease. Four out of five patients (80%) developed an acneiform rash. The

This study showed no advantage in the treatment with Cetuximab monotherapy in patients with advanced cervical cancer. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the significance of

In a phase II GINECO trial, patients with advanced cervical squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma and at least one measurable target received intravenous cisplatin 50 mg/m² on day 1 plus topotecan 0.75 mg/m²/day from days 1 to 3 every 3 weeks combined with cetuximab (initial dose of 400 mg/m² followed by subsequent weekly dose of 250 mg/m²). Nineteen out of the 44 planned patients were accrued before the study was stopped early due to excessive toxicity. The most frequent adverse event was severe myelosuppression. The main grades 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities were infection (39%) and febrile neutropenia (28%), skin reactions (22%), renal toxicity (11%), and pulmonary embolism (11%). Five (28%) patients died during the treatment including 3 deaths related to treatment toxicity. Six (32%) evaluable patients achieved a partial response. The median times of progression free

In this phase II trial, the combination cisplatin - topotecan - cetuximab induced a high rate of

A phase I trial was aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and related toxicity of erlotinib when administered concurrently with cisplatin and radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer. There was three cohorts of at least three patients receiving escalating doses of erlotinib combined with cisplatin (40 mg/m², weekly, 5 cycles) and radiotherapy (external beam 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions, followed by 4 fractions/600 cGy/weekly of brachytherapy) in squamous cell cervical carcinoma patients, stage IIB to IIIB. Fifteen patients were enrolled, 3 at dose level (DL) 50 mg, 4 at DL 100 mg, and 8 at DL 150 mg. Patients presented median age 47 (36-59), stage IIB (46.2%) and IIIB (53.8%). Overall, erlotinib+CRT was well-tolerated. Three patients did not complete the planned schedule. One patient at DL 100 mg withdrew informed consent due to grade 2 rash; at DL 150 mg, 1 patient presented Raynaud's Syndrome and had C interrupted, and another patient presented grade 4 hepatotoxicity. The latter was interpreted as dose limiting toxicity and a

serious adverse and/or fatal events at standard dose and schedule (Kurtz, 2009).

Cetuximab in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer (Hertlein, 2011).

survival and overall survival were 172 and 220 days, respectively.

independently of EGFR expression (Meira, 2009).

advanced cervical cancer.

**2.2 Erlotinib** 

median survival time was 8.6 months.

new cohort of 150 mg was started. No further grade 4 toxicity occurred. Grade 3 toxicity occurred in 6 cases: diarrhea in 3 patients, rash in 2 patients, and leukopenia in 1 patient. Erlotinib +CRT did not lead to limiting in-field toxicity.

This study showed that erlotinib + CRT was feasible to locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer and was well tolerated. The maximum tolerated dose has been defined as 150 mg (Nogueira-Rodrigues, 2008).

A phase II trial of erlotinib in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was aimed to determine the proportion of patients with tumor response, the proportion who survived progression-free for at least 6 months and the frequency and severity of toxicities of patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with erlotinib. This multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of oral erlotinib at an initial dosage of 150 mg daily until progressive disease or adverse effects prohibited further therapy.

Twenty-eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled and 25 patients were evaluable. There were no objective responses, with 4 (16%) patients achieving stable disease; only 1 patient had a progression-free survival of 6 months (4%) or more. Erlotinib was well tolerated, with the most common drug-related adverse events being gastrointestinal toxicities, fatigue, and rash. This study showed that erlotinib was inactive as monotherapy in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (Schilder, 2009).

#### **2.3 Gefitinib**

Evidence suggests the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed at moderate to high levels in cervical carcinomas. A multicenter, open-label, non-comparative phase II trial (study 1839IL/0075) investigated whether gefitinib (IRESSA), an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a potential second- or third-line treatment option for patients with recurring locoregionally advanced or metastatic cervical cancer. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of 500 mg/day gefitinib.

Thirty patients with squamous-cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma were recruited from six centers in France. Of these, 28 patients were evaluable for efficacy. Although there were no objective responses, six (20%) patients experienced stable disease with a median duration of 111.5 days. Median time to progression was 37 days and median overall survival was 107 days. Disease control did not appear to correlate with levels of EGFR expression. Gefitinib was well tolerated, with the most common drug-related adverse events being skin and gastrointestinal toxicities.

This study showed that gefitinib has only minimal monotherapy activity in recurrent disease resistant to standard treatment. However, the observation that 20% of patients treated with gefitinib had stable disease may warrant further investigation (Goncalves, 2008).

#### **3. NF-κB inhibition**

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor that plays a critical role across many cellular processes including embryonic and neuronal development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses to infection and inflammation. Dysregulation of NFkappaB signaling is associated with inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

New Therapeutic Targets 151

Celecoxib in combination with definitive CRT is associated with acceptable acute toxicity, but higher than expected late complications. Celecoxib is associated with a modest reduction in the angiogenic biomarker IFP, but this does not correspond with tumor

A phase II study determined the efficacy, patterns of initial failure and treatment-related acute toxicity rates in patients with locally advanced cancer of the cervix treated by oral celecoxib, intravenous cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, and concurrent pelvic radiation therapy

Eligible patients included FIGO Stage IIB-IVA or patients with FIGO Stage IB through IIA with biopsy proven pelvic node metastases or tumor size > or =5 cm. Celecoxib was prescribed at a dose of 400 mg twice daily for 1 year beginning on the first day of radiotherapy. Cisplatin (75 mg/m²) and 5-FU (1g/m² for 4 days) were administered every 3 weeks times 3. A total of 84

At 2 years, the estimated disease-free survival and overall survival rate for patients with advanced cervical cancer who underwent a combination of chemoradiotherapy and celecoxib treatment was 69% and 83%, respectively. Of the 78 patients, 24 had treatment failure and, of those patients, 18 had a component of locoregional failure as a site of first failure (Gaffney, 2007a). Toxicities were observed in the following areas: blood/bone marrow (16), gastrointestinal (14), pain (7), renal/genitourinary (6), cardiovascular (3), hemorrhage (1), and neurologic (1). For the first 75 evaluable patients, a toxicity failure was

Thus, locoregional control continues to be problematic after chemoradiotherapy (Gaffney, 2007a). Celecoxib at 400 mg twice daily together with concurrent cisplatin and 5-FU and pelvic radiotherapy has a high incidence of acute toxicities. The most frequent toxicities

Previous data demonstrate an association between cyclooxygenase activity and development of cervical cancer. A review investigated the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the development of cervical cancer and potential therapeutic options targeting this pathway.

Studies in vivo and in vitro confirm the role of COX-2 in the development of cervical cancer. In addition, COX-2 overexpression is associated with an increase in angiogenesis markers. Clinical correlation found that COX-2 overexpression in cervical cancer patients is a poor prognostic marker associated with increased risk for recurrent or metastatic disease. Despite early promise, two phase II trials in use of specific COX-2 inhibitors as radio-sensitizers in locally advanced cervical cancer demonstrated increased toxicity with no change in therapeutic effect. Results of studies using COX-2 inhibitors in pre-invasive cervical disease

Jung *and al.* evaluated 67 FIGO stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer patients treated with cisplatinbased chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The study group included patients who received rofecoxib (N=30) and the control group included patients who received CCRT only (N=37). There were no significant differences in toxicity between the two groups. The most common acute grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia. Grade 3/4 late toxicity was observed in 2 patients in the study group and 3 in the control group. There was no treatment-related deaths in either group. Six patients in the study group had treatment failure. In the control group, 6

patients were accrued, of whom 78 were eligible and 77 were evaluable for toxicity.

response (Herrera, 2007).

in patients with locally advanced cancer of the cervix.

identified in 36 patients for a rate of 48% (Gaffney, 2007b).

were hematologic (Gaffney, 2007b).

are encouraging (Young, 2008).

Constitutive activation of NF-kappaB signaling has been found in some types of tumors including breast, colon, prostate, skin and lymphoid, hence therapeutic blockade of NFkappaB signaling in cancer cells provides an attractive strategy for the development of anticancer drugs.

Miller *and al.* indicated that many currently approved pharmaceuticals have previously unappreciated effects on NF-kappaB signaling, which may contribute to anticancer therapeutic effects. Comprehensive profiling of approved drugs provides insight into their molecular mechanisms, thus providing a basis for drug repurposing (Miller, 2010).

Kima *and al.* suggested that the HPV 16 E5 oncoprotein mediates cervical carcinogenesis at least in part via upregulation of COX-2 expression through NF-kappaB and AP-1, with NFkappaB playing a larger role (Kim, 2009).

NF-kappaB activation is known to reduce the efficiency of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Ursolic acid, a minimally toxic compound, has shown the capability to inhibit NF-kappaB activation in living cells. Li *and al.* investigated the effects and mechanisms of NF-kappaB inhibition by ursolic acid on chemotherapy treatment (Taxol or cisplatin) of cancerBy supplementing chemotherapy with minimally toxic ursolic acid, it is possible to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment by significantly reducing the necessary drug dose without sacrificing the treatment results (Li, 2010).

This recent studies suggested that NF-kappaB may contribute to the resistance of human cervical cancer cells to cisplatin and highlight the potential use of combination therapy involving cisplatin and NF-kappaB inhibitors.

#### **4. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor**

Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies indicates that COX-2-derived prostaglandins participate in carcinogenesis, inflammation, immune response suppression, apoptosis inhibition, angiogenesis, and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Clinical trial results have demonstrated that selective inhibition of COX-2 can alter the development and the progression of cancer. In animal models, selective inhibition of COX-2 activity is associated with the enhanced radiation sensitivity of tumors without appreciably increasing the effects of radiation on normal tissue, and preclinical evidence suggests that the principal mechanism of radiation potentiation through selective COX-2 inhibition is the direct increase in cellular radiation sensitivity and the direct inhibition of tumor neovascularization (Choy, 2003).

A phase I-II accrued 31 women with locally advanced cervical cancer to receive celecoxib 400 mg by mouth twice per day for 2 weeks before and during chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Tumor oxygenation (HP(5)) and interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) were measured before and 2 weeks after celecoxib administration alone. The median follow-up time was 2.7 years.

The most common acute G3/4 toxicities were hematologic and gastrointestinal largely attributed to chemotherapy. Late G3/4 toxicity was seen in 4 of 31 patients, including fistulas in 3 patients. Within the first year of follow-up, 25 of 31 patients achieved complete response (CR), of whom 20 remained in CR at last follow-up. After 2 weeks of celecoxib administration before CRT, the median IFP decreased slightly, whereas HP(5) did not change significantly. No significant associations were seen between changes in HP(5) or IFP and response to treatment.

Constitutive activation of NF-kappaB signaling has been found in some types of tumors including breast, colon, prostate, skin and lymphoid, hence therapeutic blockade of NFkappaB signaling in cancer cells provides an attractive strategy for the development of

Miller *and al.* indicated that many currently approved pharmaceuticals have previously unappreciated effects on NF-kappaB signaling, which may contribute to anticancer therapeutic effects. Comprehensive profiling of approved drugs provides insight into their

Kima *and al.* suggested that the HPV 16 E5 oncoprotein mediates cervical carcinogenesis at least in part via upregulation of COX-2 expression through NF-kappaB and AP-1, with NF-

NF-kappaB activation is known to reduce the efficiency of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Ursolic acid, a minimally toxic compound, has shown the capability to inhibit NF-kappaB activation in living cells. Li *and al.* investigated the effects and mechanisms of NF-kappaB inhibition by ursolic acid on chemotherapy treatment (Taxol or cisplatin) of cancerBy supplementing chemotherapy with minimally toxic ursolic acid, it is possible to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment by significantly reducing the necessary drug dose

This recent studies suggested that NF-kappaB may contribute to the resistance of human cervical cancer cells to cisplatin and highlight the potential use of combination therapy

Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies indicates that COX-2-derived prostaglandins participate in carcinogenesis, inflammation, immune response suppression, apoptosis inhibition, angiogenesis, and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Clinical trial results have demonstrated that selective inhibition of COX-2 can alter the development and the progression of cancer. In animal models, selective inhibition of COX-2 activity is associated with the enhanced radiation sensitivity of tumors without appreciably increasing the effects of radiation on normal tissue, and preclinical evidence suggests that the principal mechanism of radiation potentiation through selective COX-2 inhibition is the direct increase in cellular radiation sensitivity and the direct inhibition of tumor

A phase I-II accrued 31 women with locally advanced cervical cancer to receive celecoxib 400 mg by mouth twice per day for 2 weeks before and during chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Tumor oxygenation (HP(5)) and interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) were measured before and 2 weeks after celecoxib administration alone. The median follow-up time was 2.7 years.

The most common acute G3/4 toxicities were hematologic and gastrointestinal largely attributed to chemotherapy. Late G3/4 toxicity was seen in 4 of 31 patients, including fistulas in 3 patients. Within the first year of follow-up, 25 of 31 patients achieved complete response (CR), of whom 20 remained in CR at last follow-up. After 2 weeks of celecoxib administration before CRT, the median IFP decreased slightly, whereas HP(5) did not change significantly. No significant associations were seen between changes in HP(5) or IFP

molecular mechanisms, thus providing a basis for drug repurposing (Miller, 2010).

anticancer drugs.

kappaB playing a larger role (Kim, 2009).

without sacrificing the treatment results (Li, 2010).

involving cisplatin and NF-kappaB inhibitors.

**4. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor** 

neovascularization (Choy, 2003).

and response to treatment.

A phase II study determined the efficacy, patterns of initial failure and treatment-related acute toxicity rates in patients with locally advanced cancer of the cervix treated by oral celecoxib, intravenous cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, and concurrent pelvic radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced cancer of the cervix.

Eligible patients included FIGO Stage IIB-IVA or patients with FIGO Stage IB through IIA with biopsy proven pelvic node metastases or tumor size > or =5 cm. Celecoxib was prescribed at a dose of 400 mg twice daily for 1 year beginning on the first day of radiotherapy. Cisplatin (75 mg/m²) and 5-FU (1g/m² for 4 days) were administered every 3 weeks times 3. A total of 84 patients were accrued, of whom 78 were eligible and 77 were evaluable for toxicity.

At 2 years, the estimated disease-free survival and overall survival rate for patients with advanced cervical cancer who underwent a combination of chemoradiotherapy and celecoxib treatment was 69% and 83%, respectively. Of the 78 patients, 24 had treatment failure and, of those patients, 18 had a component of locoregional failure as a site of first failure (Gaffney, 2007a). Toxicities were observed in the following areas: blood/bone marrow (16), gastrointestinal (14), pain (7), renal/genitourinary (6), cardiovascular (3), hemorrhage (1), and neurologic (1). For the first 75 evaluable patients, a toxicity failure was identified in 36 patients for a rate of 48% (Gaffney, 2007b).

Thus, locoregional control continues to be problematic after chemoradiotherapy (Gaffney, 2007a). Celecoxib at 400 mg twice daily together with concurrent cisplatin and 5-FU and pelvic radiotherapy has a high incidence of acute toxicities. The most frequent toxicities were hematologic (Gaffney, 2007b).

Previous data demonstrate an association between cyclooxygenase activity and development of cervical cancer. A review investigated the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the development of cervical cancer and potential therapeutic options targeting this pathway.

Studies in vivo and in vitro confirm the role of COX-2 in the development of cervical cancer. In addition, COX-2 overexpression is associated with an increase in angiogenesis markers. Clinical correlation found that COX-2 overexpression in cervical cancer patients is a poor prognostic marker associated with increased risk for recurrent or metastatic disease. Despite early promise, two phase II trials in use of specific COX-2 inhibitors as radio-sensitizers in locally advanced cervical cancer demonstrated increased toxicity with no change in therapeutic effect. Results of studies using COX-2 inhibitors in pre-invasive cervical disease are encouraging (Young, 2008).

Jung *and al.* evaluated 67 FIGO stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer patients treated with cisplatinbased chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The study group included patients who received rofecoxib (N=30) and the control group included patients who received CCRT only (N=37).

There were no significant differences in toxicity between the two groups. The most common acute grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia. Grade 3/4 late toxicity was observed in 2 patients in the study group and 3 in the control group. There was no treatment-related deaths in either group. Six patients in the study group had treatment failure. In the control group, 6

New Therapeutic Targets 153

Pazopanib exhibited in vivo and in vitro activity against tumor growth and, in early clinical trials, was well tolerated with the main side effects being hypertension, fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders. Pazopanib showed clinical activity in several tumors including renal cell cancer (RCC), breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, thyroid cancer, hepatocellular

A phase II open-label study compared pazopanib or lapatinib monotherapy with pazopanib plus lapatinib combination therapy in patients with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer. Patients with measurable stage IVB persistent/recurrent cervical carcinoma not amenable to curative therapy and at least one prior regimen in the metastatic setting were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1:1 to pazopanib at 800 mg once daily, lapatinib at 1,500 mg once daily, or lapatinib plus pazopanib combination therapy (lapatinib at 1,000 mg plus pazopanib at 400

Of 230 patients enrolled, 152 were randomly assigned to the monotherapy arms: pazopanib (n = 74) or lapatinib (n = 78). Most patients (62%) had recurrent cancer. Pazopanib improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 90% CI, 0.48 to 0.91; P = .013) and OS (HR, 0.67; 90% CI, 0.46 to 0.99; P = .045). Median OS was 50.7 weeks and 39.1 weeks and RRs were 9% and 5% for pazopanib and lapatinib, respectively. The only grade 3 AE > 10% was diarrhea (11% pazopanib and 13% lapatinib). Grade 4 AEs were 9% (lapatinib) and 12% (pazopanib).

This study confirms the activity of antiangiogenesis agents in advanced and recurrent cervical cancer and demonstrates the benefit of pazopanib based on the prolonged PFS and favorable toxicity profile. Further study of angiogenesis and its inhibition are ongoing

Choy H, Milas L (2003). Enhancing radiotherapy with cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme inhibitors:

Gaffney DK, Winter K, Dicker AP, Miller B, Eifel PJ, Ryu J, Avizonis V, Fromm M, Small W,

Gaffney DK, Winter K, Dicker AP, Miller B, Eifel PJ, Ryu J, Avizonis V, Fromm M, Greven K

Herrera FG, Chan P, Doll C, Milosevic M, Oza A, Syed A, Pintilie M, Levin W, Manchul L,

Greven K (2007). Efficacy and patterns of failure for locally advanced cancer of the cervix treated with celebrex (celecoxib) and chemoradiotherapy in RTOG 0128. *Int J* 

(2007). A Phase II study of acute toxicity for Celebrex (celecoxib) and chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer: primary endpoint analysis of RTOG 0128. *Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys.* Vol 1;67(1):104-9. Goncalves A, Fabbro M, Lhommé C, Gladieff L, Extra JM, Floquet A, Chaigneau L, Carrasco

AT, Viens P (2008). A phase II trial to evaluate gefitinib as second- or third-line treatment in patients with recurring locoregionally advanced or metastatic cervical

Fyles A (2007). A prospective phase I-II trial of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib in patients with carcinoma of the cervix with biomarker assessment of the tumor microenvironment. *Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys.* Vol 1;67(1):97-103. Herrera FG, Vidal L, Oza A, Milosevic M, Fyles A (2008). Molecular targeted agents

combined with chemo-radiation in the treatment of locally advanced cervix cancer.

a rational advance? *J Natl Cancer Inst.* Vol 1;95(19):1440-52.

*Radiat Oncol Biol Phys.* Vol 1;69(1):111-7.

cancer. *Gynecol Oncol.* Vol 108(1):42-6.

*Rev Recent Clin Trials.* Vol 3(2):111-20.

mg once daily or lapatinib at 1,500 mg plus pazopanib at 800 mg once daily).

cancer and cervical cancer (Schutz, 2011).

(Monk, 2010).

**6. References** 

patients experienced treatment failure. There were no differences in progression-free and overall survival between the 2 groups.

This data indicated that rofecoxib, at a dose of 25 mg twice daily, has acceptable acute toxicity as a radiosensitizer during CCRT. Although rofecoxib was not efficacious as a radiosensitizer in the present study, the benefit of rofecoxib as a radiosensitizer should be further evaluated in a prospective study (Jung, 2009).

#### **5. Anti-angiogenesis agents**

Angiogenesis is central to cervical cancer development and progression. The dominant role of angiogenesis in cervical cancer seems to be directly related to HPV inhibition of p53 and stabilization of HIF-1 alpha, both of which increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

#### **5.1 Bevacizumab**

Bevacizumab binding and subsequent inactivation of VEGF seem to shrink cervical tumors and delay progression without appreciable toxicity, and are therefore being studied in a Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) phase III trial. Other intracellular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of angiogenesis such as pazopanib are also encouraging, especially in lieu of their oral administration (Monk, 2010).

The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) conducted a phase II trial to assess the efficacy and tolerability of bevacizumab. Eligible patients had recurrent cervical cancer, measurable disease, and GOG performance status < or = 2. Treatment consisted of bevacizumab 15 mg/kg intravenously every 21 days until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Forty-six patients were enrolled. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events at least possibly related to bevacizumab included hypertension, thrombo-embolism, gastro-intestinal, anemia, other cardiovascular, vaginal bleeding, neutropenia, and fistula. One grade 5 infection was observed. Eleven patients (23.9%) survived progression free for at least 6 months, and five patients (10.9%) had partial responses. The median response duration was 6.21 months. The median PFS and overall survival times were 3.40 months and 7.29 months, respectively (Monk, 2009).

A retrospective analysis of women with recurrent cervical cancer treated with bevacizumab combination therapy was performed. Six patients were identified. The patients had a median of 3 prior regimens. All of the patients had multisite, metastatic disease. The combination regimen included IV 5-fluorouracil in 5 (83%) patients and capecitabine in one (17%) subject. Treatment was well tolerated. Grade 4 toxicity occurred in one patient who developed neutropenic sepsis. Clinical benefit (CR, PR, or SD) was noted in 67% of the subjects. This included 1 (17%) complete response, 1 (17%) partial response and two (33%) patients with stable disease. The median time to progression for the four women who demonstrated clinical benefit was 4.3 months (Wright, 2006).

#### **5.2 Pazopanib**

Pazopanib is an oral multi-targeted TKI that binds to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and c-Kit or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), responsible for angiogenesis, tumor growth and cell survival.

patients experienced treatment failure. There were no differences in progression-free and

This data indicated that rofecoxib, at a dose of 25 mg twice daily, has acceptable acute toxicity as a radiosensitizer during CCRT. Although rofecoxib was not efficacious as a radiosensitizer in the present study, the benefit of rofecoxib as a radiosensitizer should be

Angiogenesis is central to cervical cancer development and progression. The dominant role of angiogenesis in cervical cancer seems to be directly related to HPV inhibition of p53 and stabilization of HIF-1 alpha, both of which increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Bevacizumab binding and subsequent inactivation of VEGF seem to shrink cervical tumors and delay progression without appreciable toxicity, and are therefore being studied in a Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) phase III trial. Other intracellular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of angiogenesis such as pazopanib are also encouraging, especially in lieu

The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) conducted a phase II trial to assess the efficacy and tolerability of bevacizumab. Eligible patients had recurrent cervical cancer, measurable disease, and GOG performance status < or = 2. Treatment consisted of bevacizumab 15 mg/kg intravenously every 21 days until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Forty-six patients were enrolled. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events at least possibly related to bevacizumab included hypertension, thrombo-embolism, gastro-intestinal, anemia, other cardiovascular, vaginal bleeding, neutropenia, and fistula. One grade 5 infection was observed. Eleven patients (23.9%) survived progression free for at least 6 months, and five patients (10.9%) had partial responses. The median response duration was 6.21 months. The median PFS and overall

A retrospective analysis of women with recurrent cervical cancer treated with bevacizumab combination therapy was performed. Six patients were identified. The patients had a median of 3 prior regimens. All of the patients had multisite, metastatic disease. The combination regimen included IV 5-fluorouracil in 5 (83%) patients and capecitabine in one (17%) subject. Treatment was well tolerated. Grade 4 toxicity occurred in one patient who developed neutropenic sepsis. Clinical benefit (CR, PR, or SD) was noted in 67% of the subjects. This included 1 (17%) complete response, 1 (17%) partial response and two (33%) patients with stable disease. The median time to progression for the four women who

Pazopanib is an oral multi-targeted TKI that binds to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and c-Kit or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu),

survival times were 3.40 months and 7.29 months, respectively (Monk, 2009).

demonstrated clinical benefit was 4.3 months (Wright, 2006).

responsible for angiogenesis, tumor growth and cell survival.

overall survival between the 2 groups.

**5. Anti-angiogenesis agents** 

of their oral administration (Monk, 2010).

**5.1 Bevacizumab** 

**5.2 Pazopanib** 

further evaluated in a prospective study (Jung, 2009).

Pazopanib exhibited in vivo and in vitro activity against tumor growth and, in early clinical trials, was well tolerated with the main side effects being hypertension, fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders. Pazopanib showed clinical activity in several tumors including renal cell cancer (RCC), breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, thyroid cancer, hepatocellular cancer and cervical cancer (Schutz, 2011).

A phase II open-label study compared pazopanib or lapatinib monotherapy with pazopanib plus lapatinib combination therapy in patients with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer.

Patients with measurable stage IVB persistent/recurrent cervical carcinoma not amenable to curative therapy and at least one prior regimen in the metastatic setting were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1:1 to pazopanib at 800 mg once daily, lapatinib at 1,500 mg once daily, or lapatinib plus pazopanib combination therapy (lapatinib at 1,000 mg plus pazopanib at 400 mg once daily or lapatinib at 1,500 mg plus pazopanib at 800 mg once daily).

Of 230 patients enrolled, 152 were randomly assigned to the monotherapy arms: pazopanib (n = 74) or lapatinib (n = 78). Most patients (62%) had recurrent cancer. Pazopanib improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 90% CI, 0.48 to 0.91; P = .013) and OS (HR, 0.67; 90% CI, 0.46 to 0.99; P = .045). Median OS was 50.7 weeks and 39.1 weeks and RRs were 9% and 5% for pazopanib and lapatinib, respectively. The only grade 3 AE > 10% was diarrhea (11% pazopanib and 13% lapatinib). Grade 4 AEs were 9% (lapatinib) and 12% (pazopanib).

This study confirms the activity of antiangiogenesis agents in advanced and recurrent cervical cancer and demonstrates the benefit of pazopanib based on the prolonged PFS and favorable toxicity profile. Further study of angiogenesis and its inhibition are ongoing (Monk, 2010).

#### **6. References**


**11** 

*CINVESTAV-IPN* 

*1,2Germany 3Mexico* 

**A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based** 

Carlos G. Acevedo-Rocha1,2, José A. Munguía-Moreno3,

Rodolfo Ocádiz-Delgado3 and Patricio Gariglio3 *1Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Organische Chemie* 

> *2Philipps-Universität-Marburg, Fakultät für Chemie 3Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular,*

**Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer** 

The 20th century witnessed a great development of genetics and molecular biology, laying the foundations for a new era in medicine. The elucidation of the mechanism of heredity, for example, helped us understanding the connection between cells, chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code, an historical journey to the center of biology (Lander & Weinberg, 2000). This process strongly consolidated when "the central dogma of molecular biology" (Crick, 1970) was proposed long time ago, whereby the genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. Since then, however, our understanding in the molecular and cellular organization, as well as physiology of living systems has radically changed, partially challenging the validity of the central 'dogma'– by the way, dogma strictly means a belief that people are expected to accept without any doubts, a word to be expectedly seen outside the scientific method lexicon – of molecular biology (Shapiro, 2009). The main paradigm is that cells are able to make decisions based on actively sensing their environment; hence, information processing in living systems can be regarded at least bidirectional. In any case, the recent sequencing of the human genome is a great milestone (Human Genome Sequencing, 2004), whereby the language of the "common thread of humanity" in this new

Genomics studies the total DNA sequence of an organism. Of the approximately 3,000 million base pairs that comprise the human genome, only 1% was firstly estimated to correspond to as low as 25,000 proteins (Southan, 2004), a number that has been changing since the initial sequence drafts of the Human Genome Project (HGP). One motivation behind genome-sequencing projects is the assumption that the nucleotide sequence of an organism provides a description of the genes, its products and interaction networks that orchestrate programs like those sustaining the metabolic activity of a cell or deploying a body plan. However, new discoveries in transcriptome functions significantly expand—and even challenge—the classical concept of the gene and how post-transcriptional molecular

events are becoming key to understand gene regulation in higher eukaryotes.

medicine era is just "the end of the beginning" (Stein, 2004).

**1. Introduction** 


### **A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer**

Carlos G. Acevedo-Rocha1,2, José A. Munguía-Moreno3, Rodolfo Ocádiz-Delgado3 and Patricio Gariglio3 *1Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Organische Chemie 2Philipps-Universität-Marburg, Fakultät für Chemie 3Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN 1,2Germany 3Mexico* 

#### **1. Introduction**

154 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Hertlein L, Lenhard M, Kirschenhofer A, Kahlert S, Mayr D, Burges A, Friese K (2011). In a

Jung YW, Lee SH, Paek JH, Nam EJ, Kim SW, Kim JH, Kim JW, Kim YT (2009). Acute

Kim SH, Oh JM, No JH, Bang YJ, Juhnn YS, Song YS (2009). Involvement of NF-kappaB and

Kurtz JE, Hardy-Bessard AC, Deslandres M, Lavau-Denes S, Largillier R, Roemer-Becuwe C,

Li Y, Xing D, Chen Q, Chen WR (2010). Enhancement of chemotherapeutic agent-induced

Meira DD, de Almeida VH, Mororó JS, Nóbrega I, Bardella L, Silva RL, Albano RM, Ferreira

Miller SC, Huang R, Sakamuru S, Shukla SJ, Attene-Ramos MS, Shinn P, Van Leer D, Leister

Monk BJ, Sill MW, Burger RA, Gray HJ, Buekers TE, Roman LD (2009). Phase II trial of

Monk BJ, Mas Lopez L, Zarba JJ, Oaknin A, Tarpin C, Termrungruanglert W, Alber JA, Ding J,

Monk BJ, Willmott LJ, Sumner DA (2010). Anti-angiogenesis agents in metastatic or

Nogueira-Rodrigues A, do Carmo CC, Viegas C, Erlich F, Camisão C, Fontão K, Lima R,

Schutz FA, Choueiri TK, Sternberg CN (2011). Pazopanib: Clinical development of a potent

Wright JD, Viviano D, Powell MA, Gibb RK, Mutch DG, Grigsby PW, Rader JS (2006).

Young JL, Jazaeri AA, Darus CJ, Modesitt SC (2008). Cyclooxygenase-2 in cervical neoplasia:

anti-angiogenic drug. *Crit Rev Oncol Hematol.* Vol 77(3):163-71.

recurrent cervical cancer. *Gynecol Oncol.* Vol 116(2):181-6.

*Gynecol Cancer.* Vol 19(5):929-33.

*Gynecol Oncol.* Vol 103(2):489-93.

a review. *Gynecol Oncol.* Vol 109(1):140-5.

cancer. *Arch Gynecol Obstet.* Vol 283(1):109-13.

20(3):151-7.

15;127(2):462-73.

1;101(5):782-91.

1;79(9):1272-80.

*Carcinogenesis.* Vol 30(5):753-7.

trial. *Gynecol Oncol.* Vol 113(1):16-20.

retrospective study, Cetuximab monotherapy was applied in advanced cervical

toxicity of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib as a radiosensitizer for concurrent chemoradiation in the treatment of uterine cervical cancer. *J Gynecol Oncol.* Vol

AP-1 in COX-2 upregulation by human papillomavirus 16 E5 oncoprotein.

Weber B, Guillemet C, Paraiso D, Pujade-Lauraine E (2009). Cetuximab, topotecan and cisplatin for the treatment of advanced cervical cancer: A phase II GINECO

apoptosis by inhibition of NF-kappaB using ursolic acid. *Int J Cancer.* Vol

CG (2009). Combination of cetuximab with chemoradiation, trastuzumab or MAPK inhibitors: mechanisms of sensitisation of cervical cancer cells. *Br J Cancer.* Vol

W, Austin CP, Xia M (2010). Identification of known drugs that act as inhibitors of NF-kappaB signaling and their mechanism of action. *Biochem Pharmacol.* Vol

bevacizumab in the treatment of persistent or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a gynecologic oncology group study. *J Clin Oncol.* Vol 1;27(7):1069-74.

Stutts MW, Pandite LN (2010). Phase II, open-label study of pazopanib or lapatinib monotherapy compared with pazopanib plus lapatinib combination therapy in patients with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer. *J Clin Oncol.* Vol 1;28(22):3562-9.

Herchenhorn D, Martins RG, Moralez GM, Small IA, Ferreira CG (2008). Phase I trial of erlotinib combined with cisplatin and radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer. *Clin Cancer Res.* Vol 1;14(19):6324-9. Schilder RJ, Sill MW, Lee YC, Mannel R (2009). A phase II trial of erlotinib in recurrent

squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study. *Int J* 

Bevacizumab combination therapy in heavily pretreated, recurrent cervical cancer.

The 20th century witnessed a great development of genetics and molecular biology, laying the foundations for a new era in medicine. The elucidation of the mechanism of heredity, for example, helped us understanding the connection between cells, chromosomes, DNA and the genetic code, an historical journey to the center of biology (Lander & Weinberg, 2000). This process strongly consolidated when "the central dogma of molecular biology" (Crick, 1970) was proposed long time ago, whereby the genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. Since then, however, our understanding in the molecular and cellular organization, as well as physiology of living systems has radically changed, partially challenging the validity of the central 'dogma'– by the way, dogma strictly means a belief that people are expected to accept without any doubts, a word to be expectedly seen outside the scientific method lexicon – of molecular biology (Shapiro, 2009). The main paradigm is that cells are able to make decisions based on actively sensing their environment; hence, information processing in living systems can be regarded at least bidirectional. In any case, the recent sequencing of the human genome is a great milestone (Human Genome Sequencing, 2004), whereby the language of the "common thread of humanity" in this new medicine era is just "the end of the beginning" (Stein, 2004).

Genomics studies the total DNA sequence of an organism. Of the approximately 3,000 million base pairs that comprise the human genome, only 1% was firstly estimated to correspond to as low as 25,000 proteins (Southan, 2004), a number that has been changing since the initial sequence drafts of the Human Genome Project (HGP). One motivation behind genome-sequencing projects is the assumption that the nucleotide sequence of an organism provides a description of the genes, its products and interaction networks that orchestrate programs like those sustaining the metabolic activity of a cell or deploying a body plan. However, new discoveries in transcriptome functions significantly expand—and even challenge—the classical concept of the gene and how post-transcriptional molecular events are becoming key to understand gene regulation in higher eukaryotes.

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 157

Fig. 1. Role of transcription in the central 'dogma' of molecular biology. According to this 'dogma', the genetic information flows from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) to proteins. The gene CDKN2A/p16INK4a, for example, is located at position "21.3" of the short arm of

the human chromosome 9, which resides inside the nucleus. Upon activation by the transcription factor (E2F1), its mRNA is transcribed and the corresponding proteins are translated in the cytoplasm (CDKN2A encodes three but only two variants are displayed).

The interplay between the genome, transcriptome and proteome is oversimplified.

The relationship between a particular molecule and cellular phenotype has allowed us to better understand the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases such as cancer. In the course of molecular biology many useful techniques to analyze DNA, RNA and proteins were developed. For about half century, reasonably, the practice of molecular biology was comfortable with its reductionism; however, in the coming era of genomics, the tendency to probe in a single experiment hundreds or thousands of biomolecules allows us talking of two mechanisms: (i) The "reductionist mechanism" employs tools to analyze one or few different molecules in a single experiment; it is a slow but comprehensive conclusions can be reliably obtained; (ii) The "holistic mechanism" allows the assessment of thousands of different molecules in a single experiment; it is a fast mechanism but the obtained

**2. Probing the transcriptome** 

The success of the HGP has provided a blueprint of genes encoding the entire human protein set potentially expressed in any of the approximately 230 cell types comprising the human proteome. Considering that both the current and sometimes limited knowledge of only two-thirds of the 20,300 protein-coding human genes mapped through the HGP is at hand (Legrain *et al.*, 2011), the recently launched Human Proteome Project (HPP) aims to provide for the remaining one-third of proteins experimental evidence related to abundance, distribution, subcellular localization, functions, and interactions (Bustamante *et al.*, 2011).

In the current "post-genomic era" scientists aim not only to build a catalog of all genes, but also to translate the knowledge obtained into benefits for humanity (Collins *et al.*, 2003). By examining tumors at the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels, for instance, it is possible to better understand cancer biology and improve patient care, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy (Lin & Li, 2008). Importantly, one key development that has emerged between the interface of the HGP and the HPP is the area of functional genomics or transcriptomics, which aims to assign a function to all transcripts. But this is not a trivial task because talking about transcriptomes involves considering these as entities as diverse as the cell types, developmental stages, environmental conditions and pathological states that an organism harbors or faces. Therefore, we must include a global vision for the process of transcription, i.e. the process by which information contained in DNA is converted (or transcribed) into RNA and how this process is regulated by protein(s) (Fig. 1).

Importantly, it should bear on mind that 57% - a scalable number up to 90% (Costa, 2010) of the genome is transcribed into RNA but does not code for proteins (Frith *et al.*, 2005). Moreover, very recently non-coding RNAs (microRNAs, small RNAs, small interfering RNAs or siRNAs as well as medium and large RNAs) have emerged as key elements in carcinogenesis. The amazing complexity of the transcriptome and its expansion (Mendes Soares & Valcarcel, 2006), has led to scientists eager to hunt transcriptomes. Fortunately, there are tools to examine the expression of genes at many levels, allowing us to globally understand complex diseases like cancer.

The current manuscript introduces the most common techniques to study the transcription of the 1% protein-coding genes encoded in the human genome, followed by a review of microarray studies that had provided invaluable information of the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer (CC), the most and second most common cancer disease in women from the developing and developed world, respectively. The integration of all this information is very important to not only understand CC from a global perspective, but also to identify key tumor markers that could help for CC diagnosis, prognosis and/or therapy, as discussed in the last part of the manuscript. As for cancer progression involving noncoding RNAs – importantly considered the "masters of regulation" (Costa, 2010), the reader is encouraged to read an excellent recent review (Gibb *et al.*, 2011).

Importantly, CC is largely associated to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, from which there are over hundred types but of these 40 infecting the genital tract and 15 of highrisk related to the development of CC. Thus, HPV is a common sexually transmitted agent after a woman starts her first sexual relationship and responsible of *ca.* 30% of the global cancer burden associated to infective agents (20% of the total) (zur Hausen, 2009).

The success of the HGP has provided a blueprint of genes encoding the entire human protein set potentially expressed in any of the approximately 230 cell types comprising the human proteome. Considering that both the current and sometimes limited knowledge of only two-thirds of the 20,300 protein-coding human genes mapped through the HGP is at hand (Legrain *et al.*, 2011), the recently launched Human Proteome Project (HPP) aims to provide for the remaining one-third of proteins experimental evidence related to abundance, distribution, subcellular localization, functions, and interactions

In the current "post-genomic era" scientists aim not only to build a catalog of all genes, but also to translate the knowledge obtained into benefits for humanity (Collins *et al.*, 2003). By examining tumors at the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels, for instance, it is possible to better understand cancer biology and improve patient care, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy (Lin & Li, 2008). Importantly, one key development that has emerged between the interface of the HGP and the HPP is the area of functional genomics or transcriptomics, which aims to assign a function to all transcripts. But this is not a trivial task because talking about transcriptomes involves considering these as entities as diverse as the cell types, developmental stages, environmental conditions and pathological states that an organism harbors or faces. Therefore, we must include a global vision for the process of transcription, i.e. the process by which information contained in DNA is converted (or transcribed) into RNA and how this process is regulated by

Importantly, it should bear on mind that 57% - a scalable number up to 90% (Costa, 2010) of the genome is transcribed into RNA but does not code for proteins (Frith *et al.*, 2005). Moreover, very recently non-coding RNAs (microRNAs, small RNAs, small interfering RNAs or siRNAs as well as medium and large RNAs) have emerged as key elements in carcinogenesis. The amazing complexity of the transcriptome and its expansion (Mendes Soares & Valcarcel, 2006), has led to scientists eager to hunt transcriptomes. Fortunately, there are tools to examine the expression of genes at many levels, allowing us to globally

The current manuscript introduces the most common techniques to study the transcription of the 1% protein-coding genes encoded in the human genome, followed by a review of microarray studies that had provided invaluable information of the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer (CC), the most and second most common cancer disease in women from the developing and developed world, respectively. The integration of all this information is very important to not only understand CC from a global perspective, but also to identify key tumor markers that could help for CC diagnosis, prognosis and/or therapy, as discussed in the last part of the manuscript. As for cancer progression involving noncoding RNAs – importantly considered the "masters of regulation" (Costa, 2010), the reader is encouraged

Importantly, CC is largely associated to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, from which there are over hundred types but of these 40 infecting the genital tract and 15 of highrisk related to the development of CC. Thus, HPV is a common sexually transmitted agent after a woman starts her first sexual relationship and responsible of *ca.* 30% of the global

cancer burden associated to infective agents (20% of the total) (zur Hausen, 2009).

(Bustamante *et al.*, 2011).

protein(s) (Fig. 1).

understand complex diseases like cancer.

to read an excellent recent review (Gibb *et al.*, 2011).

Fig. 1. Role of transcription in the central 'dogma' of molecular biology. According to this 'dogma', the genetic information flows from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) to proteins. The gene CDKN2A/p16INK4a, for example, is located at position "21.3" of the short arm of the human chromosome 9, which resides inside the nucleus. Upon activation by the transcription factor (E2F1), its mRNA is transcribed and the corresponding proteins are translated in the cytoplasm (CDKN2A encodes three but only two variants are displayed). The interplay between the genome, transcriptome and proteome is oversimplified.

#### **2. Probing the transcriptome**

The relationship between a particular molecule and cellular phenotype has allowed us to better understand the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases such as cancer. In the course of molecular biology many useful techniques to analyze DNA, RNA and proteins were developed. For about half century, reasonably, the practice of molecular biology was comfortable with its reductionism; however, in the coming era of genomics, the tendency to probe in a single experiment hundreds or thousands of biomolecules allows us talking of two mechanisms: (i) The "reductionist mechanism" employs tools to analyze one or few different molecules in a single experiment; it is a slow but comprehensive conclusions can be reliably obtained; (ii) The "holistic mechanism" allows the assessment of thousands of different molecules in a single experiment; it is a fast mechanism but the obtained

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 159

two samples (e.g. cancerous and normal tissue) by hybrid formation between cDNA:RNA and identified those differentially expressed genes in a particular tissue (Zimmermann *et al.*, 1980). The tumor-suppresor gene p21WAF1/CIP1, also known as CDKN1A, involved in the negative regulation of the cell cycle as well as the induction of apoptosis, was identified using SH (el-Deiry et al, 1993). Finally, the Retro-Transcription coupled to PCR (RT-PCR) allows the amplification of a cDNA synthesized from a specific mRNA using a reverse transcriptase (Rappolee *et al.*, 1988). RT-PCR can also be applied to tissues (*in situ* RT-PCR) similarly to the ISH but the sensitivity differs: While ISH can detect from 20 to 200 copies of transcript per cell, *in situ* RT-PCR can detect one transcript per cell (Bartlett, 2002). The enormous sensitivity of RT-PCR has allowed the development of a technique to quantify quickly and accurately the amount of transcripts in a given biological sample. It is called quantitative RT-PCR or Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) (Bustin, 2000). All these methods mainly based on hybridization and PCR can generally characterize one transcript per experiment.

When a mRNA is converted to cDNA, the fragments obtained can be cloned or inserted into a vector (plasmid), which can be introduced into bacteria to obtain many copies of the transcript. At the end, the fragment of interest must be sequenced. In this way, various types of sequences can be generated: A EST (Expressed Sequence Tags) corresponds to an arbitrary portion of a cDNA sequence, i.e. a random sequence that allows identification of a transcript (Adams *et al.*, 1991), whereas "ORESTES" (Open Reading Frame Expressed Sequence Tags) contain an open reading frame, which generally corresponds to a central portion of the cDNA sequence (Dias Neto *et al.*, 2000); it is also possible to alternatively clone the entire sequence of cDNA without tag (Strausberg *et al.*, 2002). Importantly, all these partial or complete cDNA sequences had enabled the characterization of large numbers of transcripts and their differential expression

Similarly, the techniques of Differential Display (DD) and Representational Differential Analysis (RDA) permit the identification of differentially expressed transcripts e.g. coming from different sources or coming from the same source but subjected to different conditions. DD is essentially based on a series of RT-PCR amplifications where the transcripts of two samples are fluorescently or radioactively labeled, compared by electrophoresis, selected and finally sequenced (Liang & Pardee, 1992). The RDA technique is based on SH and RT-PCR, so that common transcripts between two samples are removed after the formation of hybrid cDNA:cDNA and genes only expressed in a tissue are amplified in a sensitive and accurate way (Hubank & Schatz, 1994). Since both techniques are of easy accessibility and use, their use has allowed the identification of many genes altered in cancer (Liang & Pardee, 2003; Hollestelle & Schutte, 2005). For example, while the Cyclin G was identified using the DD technique (Okamoto & Beach, 1994) the anti-oncogene PTEN was characterized through RDA (Li *et al.*, 1997). The medium-throughput methods basically depend on sequencing and differ from those of low-performance because many transcripts can be characterized at a single

In general, these methods are based on sequencing and hybridization. Sequencing includes Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) and Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing

**2.2 Medium-throughput techniques** 

depending on their frequency and tissue of origin.

experiment, but not as many as when using high-performance ones.

**2.3 High-throughput techniques** 

hypotheses remained to be tested (Coulton, 2004). While single gene analyses gradually shifted towards large mutational screens and complete genome mapping, whole genome sequencing moved towards bioinformatics with exhaustive functional genomics and proteomics data. Systems biology aims to understand this complexity. Ironically, the holism in systems biology has re-emerged out of the traditional molecular biology, carrying with it the *reductionism-holism* debate since the past years (Gatherer, 2010). Interestingly, it has been boldly argued that traditional molecular biology represents a greedy reductionist approach (to some authors a naively reductionist one) that requires either extensive complementation from, or even replacement by systems biology. However, as we discuss along the text, it is more meaningful to combine both approaches.

The study of transcription is important because the levels of mRNA transcripts in a cell correlate frequently with the expression levels of the corresponding proteins. There are several techniques used in transcriptomics, which are based on gene amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), hybridization and sequencing. All these tools permit analyzing differential expression, and determine what transcripts are mainly expressed in cancerous tissue in comparison with normal tissue and *vice versa*. This is important because knowing what and how genes are differentially expressed suggests that these may play an important role in carcinogenesis. This scenario can be found in the case of proto-oncogenes and anti-oncogenes (or tumor suppressor genes) that promote and prevent cell growth, respectively. In other words, the levels of expression of many oncogenes (normally known as proto-oncogenes) may be very high and the levels of expression of tumor suppressor genes may be low. Following the reductionist and holistic classification, the most common techniques used in transcriptomics can be classified into high, medium, and low performance, with respect to its ability to analyze different molecules in a single experiment.

#### **2.1 Low-throughput techniques**

One of the first developed methods to detect a mRNA transcript was *in situ* hybridization (ISH) (Harrison *et al.*, 1973). ISH requires labelling either fluorescently or radioactively a RNA or complementary DNA (cDNA) corresponding to the transcript of interest. Through the formation of hybrid cDNA:RNA or RNA:RNA duplexes, the amount of the specific transcript can be determined as well as its cellular position can be localized. Thereafter, the popular technique Northern Blot (NB) was developed. NB uses a labeled probe that recognizes the transcript of interest in a similar manner to the ISH, but the hybridization is performed on cellulose, because the RNA of a tissue is previously separated by electrophoresis and transferred to a special paper surface. If the transcript of interest forms a hybrid with the radioactively labeled probe, it will reveal the presence of a band in a autoradiography upon exposure (Alwine *et al.*, 1977). Because of its sensitivity, this technique is commonly used in molecular biology. Another similar technique, called ribonuclease protection assay (RPA), is based on hybrid formation between the mRNA of the gene in question and a labeled probe (RNA or cDNA), being the non-hybridized singlestrand RNA part degraded by a RNAse enzyme (Berk & Sharp, 1977). This way, the hybrids can be detected because the RNA chain is radiolabelled; this method is 50 times more sensitive than NB (Bartlett, 2002).

Another old technique is subtractive hybridization (SH), which employs single-strand RNA or cDNA labeled probes. Using SH one can remove commonly expressed genes between two samples (e.g. cancerous and normal tissue) by hybrid formation between cDNA:RNA and identified those differentially expressed genes in a particular tissue (Zimmermann *et al.*, 1980). The tumor-suppresor gene p21WAF1/CIP1, also known as CDKN1A, involved in the negative regulation of the cell cycle as well as the induction of apoptosis, was identified using SH (el-Deiry et al, 1993). Finally, the Retro-Transcription coupled to PCR (RT-PCR) allows the amplification of a cDNA synthesized from a specific mRNA using a reverse transcriptase (Rappolee *et al.*, 1988). RT-PCR can also be applied to tissues (*in situ* RT-PCR) similarly to the ISH but the sensitivity differs: While ISH can detect from 20 to 200 copies of transcript per cell, *in situ* RT-PCR can detect one transcript per cell (Bartlett, 2002). The enormous sensitivity of RT-PCR has allowed the development of a technique to quantify quickly and accurately the amount of transcripts in a given biological sample. It is called quantitative RT-PCR or Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) (Bustin, 2000). All these methods mainly based on hybridization and PCR can generally characterize one transcript per experiment.

#### **2.2 Medium-throughput techniques**

158 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

hypotheses remained to be tested (Coulton, 2004). While single gene analyses gradually shifted towards large mutational screens and complete genome mapping, whole genome sequencing moved towards bioinformatics with exhaustive functional genomics and proteomics data. Systems biology aims to understand this complexity. Ironically, the holism in systems biology has re-emerged out of the traditional molecular biology, carrying with it the *reductionism-holism* debate since the past years (Gatherer, 2010). Interestingly, it has been boldly argued that traditional molecular biology represents a greedy reductionist approach (to some authors a naively reductionist one) that requires either extensive complementation from, or even replacement by systems biology. However, as we discuss along the text, it is

The study of transcription is important because the levels of mRNA transcripts in a cell correlate frequently with the expression levels of the corresponding proteins. There are several techniques used in transcriptomics, which are based on gene amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), hybridization and sequencing. All these tools permit analyzing differential expression, and determine what transcripts are mainly expressed in cancerous tissue in comparison with normal tissue and *vice versa*. This is important because knowing what and how genes are differentially expressed suggests that these may play an important role in carcinogenesis. This scenario can be found in the case of proto-oncogenes and anti-oncogenes (or tumor suppressor genes) that promote and prevent cell growth, respectively. In other words, the levels of expression of many oncogenes (normally known as proto-oncogenes) may be very high and the levels of expression of tumor suppressor genes may be low. Following the reductionist and holistic classification, the most common techniques used in transcriptomics can be classified into high, medium, and low performance, with respect to its ability to analyze different molecules in a single experiment.

One of the first developed methods to detect a mRNA transcript was *in situ* hybridization (ISH) (Harrison *et al.*, 1973). ISH requires labelling either fluorescently or radioactively a RNA or complementary DNA (cDNA) corresponding to the transcript of interest. Through the formation of hybrid cDNA:RNA or RNA:RNA duplexes, the amount of the specific transcript can be determined as well as its cellular position can be localized. Thereafter, the popular technique Northern Blot (NB) was developed. NB uses a labeled probe that recognizes the transcript of interest in a similar manner to the ISH, but the hybridization is performed on cellulose, because the RNA of a tissue is previously separated by electrophoresis and transferred to a special paper surface. If the transcript of interest forms a hybrid with the radioactively labeled probe, it will reveal the presence of a band in a autoradiography upon exposure (Alwine *et al.*, 1977). Because of its sensitivity, this technique is commonly used in molecular biology. Another similar technique, called ribonuclease protection assay (RPA), is based on hybrid formation between the mRNA of the gene in question and a labeled probe (RNA or cDNA), being the non-hybridized singlestrand RNA part degraded by a RNAse enzyme (Berk & Sharp, 1977). This way, the hybrids can be detected because the RNA chain is radiolabelled; this method is 50 times more

Another old technique is subtractive hybridization (SH), which employs single-strand RNA or cDNA labeled probes. Using SH one can remove commonly expressed genes between

more meaningful to combine both approaches.

**2.1 Low-throughput techniques** 

sensitive than NB (Bartlett, 2002).

When a mRNA is converted to cDNA, the fragments obtained can be cloned or inserted into a vector (plasmid), which can be introduced into bacteria to obtain many copies of the transcript. At the end, the fragment of interest must be sequenced. In this way, various types of sequences can be generated: A EST (Expressed Sequence Tags) corresponds to an arbitrary portion of a cDNA sequence, i.e. a random sequence that allows identification of a transcript (Adams *et al.*, 1991), whereas "ORESTES" (Open Reading Frame Expressed Sequence Tags) contain an open reading frame, which generally corresponds to a central portion of the cDNA sequence (Dias Neto *et al.*, 2000); it is also possible to alternatively clone the entire sequence of cDNA without tag (Strausberg *et al.*, 2002). Importantly, all these partial or complete cDNA sequences had enabled the characterization of large numbers of transcripts and their differential expression depending on their frequency and tissue of origin.

Similarly, the techniques of Differential Display (DD) and Representational Differential Analysis (RDA) permit the identification of differentially expressed transcripts e.g. coming from different sources or coming from the same source but subjected to different conditions. DD is essentially based on a series of RT-PCR amplifications where the transcripts of two samples are fluorescently or radioactively labeled, compared by electrophoresis, selected and finally sequenced (Liang & Pardee, 1992). The RDA technique is based on SH and RT-PCR, so that common transcripts between two samples are removed after the formation of hybrid cDNA:cDNA and genes only expressed in a tissue are amplified in a sensitive and accurate way (Hubank & Schatz, 1994). Since both techniques are of easy accessibility and use, their use has allowed the identification of many genes altered in cancer (Liang & Pardee, 2003; Hollestelle & Schutte, 2005). For example, while the Cyclin G was identified using the DD technique (Okamoto & Beach, 1994) the anti-oncogene PTEN was characterized through RDA (Li *et al.*, 1997). The medium-throughput methods basically depend on sequencing and differ from those of low-performance because many transcripts can be characterized at a single experiment, but not as many as when using high-performance ones.

#### **2.3 High-throughput techniques**

In general, these methods are based on sequencing and hybridization. Sequencing includes Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) and Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 161

is coupled with: i) DNA microarrays (Ren *et al.*, 2000), also known as "ChIP-on-Chip", for instance, many genes that can be activated by the transcription factors E2F have been identified (Bracken *et al.*, 2004); or 2) Sequencing-based techniques like Paired-end di-tags (PET) that is equivalent to SAGE but in contrast to a tag, two gene extremes are joined (Ng *et al.*, 2005). Using ChIP-PET, several TP53-regulated genes have been identified (Wei *et al.*, 2006). TP53 and E2F are the most important transcription factors known in cancer

Last but not least, another successful tool combined with microarrays is Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM), which uses a laser beam targeted to specific tissue sections under microscopic control to isolate cell clusters, allowing the molecular comparison of cell populations that are histologically or pathologically distinct but topographically contiguous (Kalantari *et al.*, 2009). The main limitation of this technique, however, is that it requires trained personnel to visually select cell populations of interest. One approach to increase dissection performance is to utilize molecular probes to facilitate the process. Expression microdissection (xMD) is such an example, where an antibody is used for cell targeting in place of an investigator (Tangrea *et al.*, 2004; Hanson *et al.*, 2011). In fact, large numbers of cells can be greatly analyzed by using the recently described SIVQ feature matching algorithm, making possible the development of a high-throughput cell procurement instrument. This approach permits histologically constrained morphologies (e.g. automated selection of only the malignant epithelium of solid tissue tumours) to be acquired in a semiautonomous fashion, allowing the generation of large, preparative quantities of DNA, RNA, or protein for subsequent high-throughput analysis. In fact, SIVQ–LCM holds unique potential as a discovery tool for molecular pathology, since individual cells with particular computer-defined morphologic features can be microdissected and profiled, thus generation new integrated and composite morphological data types (e.g. morpho-genomics or proteomics) (Hipp *et al.*, 2011). Importantly, there is increasing evidence demonstrating the necessity of upfront malignant cell enrichment techniques for specific molecular profiles, being especially desirable for clinical trials that require accurate, disease cell-specific molecular measurements (Harrell *et al.*, 2008; Klee *et al.*, 2009; Silvestri *et al.*, 2010). This technique has opened new and promising avenues to molecularly enquire histology and

development, activating or deactivating genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis.

pathology in many fields of cancer research (Fuller *et al.*, 2003; Domazet *et al.*, 2008).

microarrays with relation to a particular phenotype.

**3. A brief overview on microarrays and cancer** 

All the techniques mentioned above (Fig. 2) have favorable characteristics, while the highthroughput methods have a great capacity for data management; the low-throughput ones confer higher specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. Due to this, high- and mediumperformance techniques are complementary, but they must be validated with those of lowperformance. These tools have generated much information that should be integrated to extract biological meaning, allowing the complete characterization of the transcriptome of a cell. Indeed, a complete integrative analysis of the cancer transcriptome cannot only be obtained by analyzing the genome, transcriptional networks and the interactome, (Rhodes & Chinnaiyan, 2005), but also by delineating the subtypes of cancer obtained from DNA

Microarrays are one of the most versatile tools used in transcriptomics, whereby many benefits for oncogenomics have been found. For example, thanks to the determination of

(MPSS) and, in the case of hybridization, the best example is DNA microarrays. SAGE is similar to the sequencing of ESTs or cDNA clones, but the performance is much higher because in a single vector a lot of small tags corresponding to different mRNAs can be inserted. After sequencing, the abundance of these tags can be measured doing a bioinformatics analysis, whereby the fold expression change of a gene in different tissues/conditions can be estimated (Velculescu *et al.*, 1995). MPSS is similar to SAGE but the main difference is that in the former small tags are attached to microbead arrays, increasing the capacity of the system (Brenner *et al.*, 2000). Although MPSS is similar to SAGE, the later method has been widely used, uncovering many genes with a potential role in cancer (Yamashita *et al.*, 2008), and allowing the identification of known oncogenes such as ERBB2 and EGFR (Polyak & Riggins, 2001; Forrest *et al.*, 2006).

The DNA microarrays are a set of gene sequences (which may correspond to transcripts) arranged on a flat surface. There are two types of DNA microarrays: cDNA microarrays, in which transcripts of interest are amplified by PCR and deposited on sites identified in a paper or small glass slide (Schena *et al.*, 1995) and oligonucleotide microarrays, in which small sequences corresponding to a gene are synthesized and arranged on a particular area of a slide (Lockhart *et al.*, 1996; Singh-Gasson *et al.*, 1999; Hughes *et al.*, 2001). While the former arrays are normally produced in-house by researchers, the latter one are usually obtained from companies, being the most known "Affymetrix". During the experiment, the mRNA of a tissue of interest is firstly converted into cDNA and labeled either radioactively or fluorescently. Then, through the formation of hybrids between the labeled cDNA and the unlabelled cDNA or oligonucleotides attached to the surface, differentially expressed genes between two samples can be identified. Finally, the ratios of frequency can be estimated using different bioinformatics methods. Both cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays have been widely used, the difference lies in the number of genes per square centimeter: On paper there may be hundreds of genes, whereas in a glass slide it is possible to bear sequences representing up to 10,000 and 25,000 genes in the case of cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays, respectively. This allows the simultaneous quantification of thousands of gene transcripts in two samples when they are tagged with different fluorophores, for example, if the transcripts from tumor cells are stained with red (e.g. Cy5) and those from normal cells with green (e.g. Cy3), upon locating spots on a cDNA microarray, while the red and green ones would respectively correspond to genes differentially expressed in the tumor and normal tissue, the yellow (and alike degrees of color) would correspond to genes similarly expressed in both tissues. This is usually done on cDNA microarrays because the spots can be compared directly in one experiment, but in the case of oligonucleotide microarrays, the spots are compared indirectly in separate experiments because the detection and analysis methods differ. In either case, the different spot intensities can be transformed into transcript levels present in each sample. The numerical data are analyzed with a computer and mathematical algorithms, allowing various genes to display a characteristic pattern or "Gene Expression Profile" (GEP) related to the phenotype of the different samples. Depending on the intensity in which the various genes from the GEP are expressed, the sample acquires a particular "expression signature".

The transcriptome should study not only the expression of transcripts, but also the DNA sites where transcription factors bind as well as chromatin modifications that regulate gene expression. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a old technique to identify genes that can be activated by a protein *in vivo* (Orlando, 2000), but can be of high-throughput when it

(MPSS) and, in the case of hybridization, the best example is DNA microarrays. SAGE is similar to the sequencing of ESTs or cDNA clones, but the performance is much higher because in a single vector a lot of small tags corresponding to different mRNAs can be inserted. After sequencing, the abundance of these tags can be measured doing a bioinformatics analysis, whereby the fold expression change of a gene in different tissues/conditions can be estimated (Velculescu *et al.*, 1995). MPSS is similar to SAGE but the main difference is that in the former small tags are attached to microbead arrays, increasing the capacity of the system (Brenner *et al.*, 2000). Although MPSS is similar to SAGE, the later method has been widely used, uncovering many genes with a potential role in cancer (Yamashita *et al.*, 2008), and allowing the identification of known oncogenes such

The DNA microarrays are a set of gene sequences (which may correspond to transcripts) arranged on a flat surface. There are two types of DNA microarrays: cDNA microarrays, in which transcripts of interest are amplified by PCR and deposited on sites identified in a paper or small glass slide (Schena *et al.*, 1995) and oligonucleotide microarrays, in which small sequences corresponding to a gene are synthesized and arranged on a particular area of a slide (Lockhart *et al.*, 1996; Singh-Gasson *et al.*, 1999; Hughes *et al.*, 2001). While the former arrays are normally produced in-house by researchers, the latter one are usually obtained from companies, being the most known "Affymetrix". During the experiment, the mRNA of a tissue of interest is firstly converted into cDNA and labeled either radioactively or fluorescently. Then, through the formation of hybrids between the labeled cDNA and the unlabelled cDNA or oligonucleotides attached to the surface, differentially expressed genes between two samples can be identified. Finally, the ratios of frequency can be estimated using different bioinformatics methods. Both cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays have been widely used, the difference lies in the number of genes per square centimeter: On paper there may be hundreds of genes, whereas in a glass slide it is possible to bear sequences representing up to 10,000 and 25,000 genes in the case of cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays, respectively. This allows the simultaneous quantification of thousands of gene transcripts in two samples when they are tagged with different fluorophores, for example, if the transcripts from tumor cells are stained with red (e.g. Cy5) and those from normal cells with green (e.g. Cy3), upon locating spots on a cDNA microarray, while the red and green ones would respectively correspond to genes differentially expressed in the tumor and normal tissue, the yellow (and alike degrees of color) would correspond to genes similarly expressed in both tissues. This is usually done on cDNA microarrays because the spots can be compared directly in one experiment, but in the case of oligonucleotide microarrays, the spots are compared indirectly in separate experiments because the detection and analysis methods differ. In either case, the different spot intensities can be transformed into transcript levels present in each sample. The numerical data are analyzed with a computer and mathematical algorithms, allowing various genes to display a characteristic pattern or "Gene Expression Profile" (GEP) related to the phenotype of the different samples. Depending on the intensity in which the various genes from the GEP are expressed, the sample acquires a particular "expression signature". The transcriptome should study not only the expression of transcripts, but also the DNA sites where transcription factors bind as well as chromatin modifications that regulate gene expression. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a old technique to identify genes that can be activated by a protein *in vivo* (Orlando, 2000), but can be of high-throughput when it

as ERBB2 and EGFR (Polyak & Riggins, 2001; Forrest *et al.*, 2006).

is coupled with: i) DNA microarrays (Ren *et al.*, 2000), also known as "ChIP-on-Chip", for instance, many genes that can be activated by the transcription factors E2F have been identified (Bracken *et al.*, 2004); or 2) Sequencing-based techniques like Paired-end di-tags (PET) that is equivalent to SAGE but in contrast to a tag, two gene extremes are joined (Ng *et al.*, 2005). Using ChIP-PET, several TP53-regulated genes have been identified (Wei *et al.*, 2006). TP53 and E2F are the most important transcription factors known in cancer development, activating or deactivating genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis.

Last but not least, another successful tool combined with microarrays is Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM), which uses a laser beam targeted to specific tissue sections under microscopic control to isolate cell clusters, allowing the molecular comparison of cell populations that are histologically or pathologically distinct but topographically contiguous (Kalantari *et al.*, 2009). The main limitation of this technique, however, is that it requires trained personnel to visually select cell populations of interest. One approach to increase dissection performance is to utilize molecular probes to facilitate the process. Expression microdissection (xMD) is such an example, where an antibody is used for cell targeting in place of an investigator (Tangrea *et al.*, 2004; Hanson *et al.*, 2011). In fact, large numbers of cells can be greatly analyzed by using the recently described SIVQ feature matching algorithm, making possible the development of a high-throughput cell procurement instrument. This approach permits histologically constrained morphologies (e.g. automated selection of only the malignant epithelium of solid tissue tumours) to be acquired in a semiautonomous fashion, allowing the generation of large, preparative quantities of DNA, RNA, or protein for subsequent high-throughput analysis. In fact, SIVQ–LCM holds unique potential as a discovery tool for molecular pathology, since individual cells with particular computer-defined morphologic features can be microdissected and profiled, thus generation new integrated and composite morphological data types (e.g. morpho-genomics or proteomics) (Hipp *et al.*, 2011). Importantly, there is increasing evidence demonstrating the necessity of upfront malignant cell enrichment techniques for specific molecular profiles, being especially desirable for clinical trials that require accurate, disease cell-specific molecular measurements (Harrell *et al.*, 2008; Klee *et al.*, 2009; Silvestri *et al.*, 2010). This technique has opened new and promising avenues to molecularly enquire histology and pathology in many fields of cancer research (Fuller *et al.*, 2003; Domazet *et al.*, 2008).

All the techniques mentioned above (Fig. 2) have favorable characteristics, while the highthroughput methods have a great capacity for data management; the low-throughput ones confer higher specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. Due to this, high- and mediumperformance techniques are complementary, but they must be validated with those of lowperformance. These tools have generated much information that should be integrated to extract biological meaning, allowing the complete characterization of the transcriptome of a cell. Indeed, a complete integrative analysis of the cancer transcriptome cannot only be obtained by analyzing the genome, transcriptional networks and the interactome, (Rhodes & Chinnaiyan, 2005), but also by delineating the subtypes of cancer obtained from DNA microarrays with relation to a particular phenotype.

#### **3. A brief overview on microarrays and cancer**

Microarrays are one of the most versatile tools used in transcriptomics, whereby many benefits for oncogenomics have been found. For example, thanks to the determination of

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 163

have been developed (Macoska, 2002; Ciro *et al.*, 2003; Wadlow & Ramaswamy, 2005). Likewise, new potential markers for therapy have been identified and there is a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cancer (Clarke *et al.*, 2004). There are classic studies that have demonstrated the potentials of microarray technology, for instance, one of the first reports was the molecular classification of human acute leukemias using an oligonucleotide microarray (Affymetrix) representing 6817 genes (Golub *et al.*, 1999). In this study, 50 genes were found aid to distinguish between acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To validate the gene set, 34 samples were analyzed without knowledge of its type (unsupervised analysis) and classified in their respective type with a high accuracy. This was a very important achievement because the right diagnosis of this cancer is often difficult but essential to discern because an effective treatment relies on an

Another classical study was applied on the Diffuse Large-B-Cell Lymphoma since it is known that patients exhibit different prognoses and variable responses to therapy. Using a microarray containing over 18,000 cDNA clones, a GEP with little more than 100 genes and 96 different samples was established (Alizadeh *et al.*, 2000). This pattern allowed the classification of this cancer into two subtypes regarding the status of differentiation of B cells: one similar to germ B cells and other similar to activated B cells *in vitro*. Interestingly, the two subtypes showed a strong correlation with clinical prognosis, which was the best for the subtype bearing germinal B cells. These patients are usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy based on anthracyclines, but if they don´t have a good prognosis then a bone marrow transplantation is rather recommended. Therefore, the GEP of about hundred genes can help to determine what kind of treatment and prognosis a patient should have. Thereafter, this work was validated by using 240 samples that allowed the identification of only 17 genes capable to correlate disease with prognosis (Rosenwald *et al.*, 2002). Similarly, another laboratory studied the prognosis of the same cancer type but whose patients received different treatments, allowing the identification of two groups of patients with different life expectancy for 5 years (72% good versus 12% bad prognosis) using only a predictor of 13 out of 6,817 genes included in a "Genechip" from Affymetrix (Shipp *et al.*, 2002). It is noteworthy that 3 tumor markers were detected in both the 17 and 13 gene

The best example of GEPs, nonetheless, has been demonstrated in the prognosis of breast cancer. Using an oligonucleotide microarray of 25,000 and 78 samples of primary breast tumors obtained from patients with negative lymph node status for metastasis, a 70-gene "poor-prognosis" molecular signature was identified (van 't Veer *et al.*, 2002). This signature corresponds to a high probability of developing metastasis in the short term and most likely die. What is interesting about this study is that tumors are not "good" nor "bad" when the disease progresses as was proposed not so long time ago with the clonal model of development (Couzin, 2003); rather, the malignant cell is destined to metastasize very early. Through this genetic signature, experts can decide what patients should receive adjuvant therapy consisting of Tamoxifen (an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue via its active metabolite, hydroxytamoxifen). Shortly after, this study was clinically validated using 217 new samples, which reconfirmed that the signature of 70 genes is the best criterion for deciding whether a patient requires adjuvant therapy or not

accurate identification of the cancer subtype.

predictors developed independently by those laboratories.

(van de Vijver *et al.*, 2002).

Fig. 2. Probing the transcriptome at different performances. a) Upon DNA transcription, messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules can be analyzed in a single experiment: i) For one or few transcripts, low-throughput methods include *in situ* hybridization (ISH), subtractive hybridization (SH), "Northern Blot" (NB), Ribonuclease-Protection Assay (RPA), Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), *in situ* RT-PCR and quantitative or real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). ii) For various transcripts there are medium-throughput tools based on cDNA clones, Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), Open Reading Frame ESTs (ORESTES), Differential Display (DD) and Representative Differential Analysis (RDA). iii) For thousands of transcripts, Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE), Massive-Parallel Signature Sequencing as well as DNA and oligonucleotide microarrays are high-throughput approaches. b) Transcription regulation: To identify Transcription Factors (TF) that bind specifically to DNA sites, one can use Chromatin Immunoprecipitation in a low- (ChIP) or high-throughput manner when it is coupled to microarrays (ChIP-to-Chip) or Pair-End di-Tags (ChIP-PET). These methods are classified according to the holism-reductionism approach.

Gene Expression Profiles (GEPs) using DNA microarrays, a new molecular classification and subclassification, as well as clinical prediction and diagnosis of many cancer (sub)types

Fig. 2. Probing the transcriptome at different performances. a) Upon DNA transcription, messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules can be analyzed in a single experiment: i) For one or few transcripts, low-throughput methods include *in situ* hybridization (ISH), subtractive hybridization (SH), "Northern Blot" (NB), Ribonuclease-Protection Assay (RPA), Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), *in situ* RT-PCR and quantitative or real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). ii) For various transcripts there are medium-throughput tools based on cDNA clones, Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), Open Reading Frame ESTs (ORESTES), Differential Display (DD) and Representative Differential Analysis (RDA). iii) For thousands of transcripts, Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE), Massive-Parallel Signature Sequencing as well as DNA and oligonucleotide microarrays are high-throughput approaches. b) Transcription regulation: To identify Transcription Factors (TF) that bind specifically to DNA sites, one can use Chromatin Immunoprecipitation in a low- (ChIP) or high-throughput manner when it is coupled to microarrays (ChIP-to-Chip) or Pair-End di-Tags (ChIP-PET). These methods are classified according to the holism-reductionism

Gene Expression Profiles (GEPs) using DNA microarrays, a new molecular classification and subclassification, as well as clinical prediction and diagnosis of many cancer (sub)types

approach.

have been developed (Macoska, 2002; Ciro *et al.*, 2003; Wadlow & Ramaswamy, 2005). Likewise, new potential markers for therapy have been identified and there is a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cancer (Clarke *et al.*, 2004). There are classic studies that have demonstrated the potentials of microarray technology, for instance, one of the first reports was the molecular classification of human acute leukemias using an oligonucleotide microarray (Affymetrix) representing 6817 genes (Golub *et al.*, 1999). In this study, 50 genes were found aid to distinguish between acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To validate the gene set, 34 samples were analyzed without knowledge of its type (unsupervised analysis) and classified in their respective type with a high accuracy. This was a very important achievement because the right diagnosis of this cancer is often difficult but essential to discern because an effective treatment relies on an accurate identification of the cancer subtype.

Another classical study was applied on the Diffuse Large-B-Cell Lymphoma since it is known that patients exhibit different prognoses and variable responses to therapy. Using a microarray containing over 18,000 cDNA clones, a GEP with little more than 100 genes and 96 different samples was established (Alizadeh *et al.*, 2000). This pattern allowed the classification of this cancer into two subtypes regarding the status of differentiation of B cells: one similar to germ B cells and other similar to activated B cells *in vitro*. Interestingly, the two subtypes showed a strong correlation with clinical prognosis, which was the best for the subtype bearing germinal B cells. These patients are usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy based on anthracyclines, but if they don´t have a good prognosis then a bone marrow transplantation is rather recommended. Therefore, the GEP of about hundred genes can help to determine what kind of treatment and prognosis a patient should have. Thereafter, this work was validated by using 240 samples that allowed the identification of only 17 genes capable to correlate disease with prognosis (Rosenwald *et al.*, 2002). Similarly, another laboratory studied the prognosis of the same cancer type but whose patients received different treatments, allowing the identification of two groups of patients with different life expectancy for 5 years (72% good versus 12% bad prognosis) using only a predictor of 13 out of 6,817 genes included in a "Genechip" from Affymetrix (Shipp *et al.*, 2002). It is noteworthy that 3 tumor markers were detected in both the 17 and 13 gene predictors developed independently by those laboratories.

The best example of GEPs, nonetheless, has been demonstrated in the prognosis of breast cancer. Using an oligonucleotide microarray of 25,000 and 78 samples of primary breast tumors obtained from patients with negative lymph node status for metastasis, a 70-gene "poor-prognosis" molecular signature was identified (van 't Veer *et al.*, 2002). This signature corresponds to a high probability of developing metastasis in the short term and most likely die. What is interesting about this study is that tumors are not "good" nor "bad" when the disease progresses as was proposed not so long time ago with the clonal model of development (Couzin, 2003); rather, the malignant cell is destined to metastasize very early. Through this genetic signature, experts can decide what patients should receive adjuvant therapy consisting of Tamoxifen (an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue via its active metabolite, hydroxytamoxifen). Shortly after, this study was clinically validated using 217 new samples, which reconfirmed that the signature of 70 genes is the best criterion for deciding whether a patient requires adjuvant therapy or not (van de Vijver *et al.*, 2002).

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 165

Another important event in the carcinogenesis of CC is the integration of viral genomes into the cellular genome. It is known that upon viral DNA integration into the host genome, the E2 protein expression is usually lost. Since E2 normally represses both E6 and E7, its absence deregulates the latter oncoproteins. Using microarrays, the overall effect upon viral genome integration of HR-HPV type 16, 18, and 33 into cell lines and keratinocytes has been determined (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002; Ruutu *et al.*, 2002; Pett *et al.*, 2006). Notably, these studies found that the integration of the viral genome into the host genome is a critical step because, besides the high chromosomal instability of the infected cells, interferon-inducible genes are accordingly activated, thus eliminating the cells containing mainly viral episomes but

In addition, the overall effect of expressing E2 in some cervical carcinoma cell lines has been also determined (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), inducing in some cases cellular senescence or exit to the G0 cell cycle phase (Wells *et al.*, 2003). Last but not least, the general effect of eliminating the gene E6AP, an important gene involved in the E6-mediated TP53 protein degradation, has been also assessed in multiple CC-derived (HPV+) cell lines (Kelley *et al.*, 2005). All the studies mentioned in this section have identified significant changes in the expression patterns of hundreds of genes including cyclins, kinases, oncogenes, and anti-oncogenes; some known to be involved in CC but other previously unknown, so all these gathered information is essential to systematically study the HPV-mediated CC carcinogenesis.

To identify key genes in the development of CC several strategies have been followed. Some of them had focused on the progress of the lesions while others had compared their origin, i.e. squamous and/or glandular lesions vs normal tissue. In any case, these studies had allowed the identification of gene expression profiles useful for the molecular classification

In the first attempts to classify CC, an expression profile of only 18 differentially expressed genes involved in apoptosis, cell adhesion, and transcription regulation was found between cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and normal cervical tissue using a microarray of 588 genes (Shim *et al.*, 1998). In another interesting study, employing a 10,000-gene microarray, 40 genes allowed the classification of 34 samples of patients into a normal and a tumoral group (Wong *et al.*, 2003). Moreover, from the 34 samples, 16 could be sub-classified as patients with grade IB and IIB tumors, from which four genes displayed key expression levels in both the previous classification and subclassification, suggesting their role as possible tumor markers (Wong *et al.*, 2003). In a similar analysis but using only 1,276 genes together with 10 samples of SCC and 20 of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), a gene expression profile showed that, from all the samples corresponding to CIN3, some correlated with the progression to cancer while others did not, implying the existence of a new subdivision of precancerous lesions histologically indistinguishable (Sopov *et al.*, 2004). The selection and characterization of tumor samples is critical as this has permitted the establishment of significant gene expression differences between samples from squamous and glandular origin in both normal and pathological conditions (Contag *et al.*, 2004). Obviously, these differences arise by the transcriptional activity of genes particularly expressed in the histological subtypes of CC, but other strategies had also compared the

promoting the selection of the more unstable cells.

**4.2 Studying carcinogenesis using patient samples** 

and subclassification of CC.

Since the first two studies were developed using samples from young patients with relatively early tumours from the same institution, it was not clear whether the 70-gene could also be applied to other patients. Interestingly, the TRANSBIG consortium, a network of 28 institutions promoting international collaboration in translational research across 11 countries, independently validated the 70-gene signature using 302 samples from patients from different age groups (up to 61 years) and from 5 different European hospitals (Buyse *et al.*, 2006). Despite its achievements, the same group questioned whether this 70-gene signature could be used as a standard high-throughput diagnostic test, so, using the samples from the first two mentioned reports, they validated a customized mini-array containing a reduced set of 1,900 probes known as the "MammaPrint" (Glas *et al.*, 2006). The "MammaPrint" prognostic assay is currently being validated under the clinical MINDACT (Microarray in Node-Negative Disease May Avoid Chemotherapy) randomized trial that includes 6,000 patient samples from various centers, even though the 70-gene signature has been validated several times in patients with negative (Bueno-de-Mesquita *et al.*, 2009) or positive (Mook *et al.*, 2009) lymph-node status as well as from other populations, including Japanese (Ishitobi *et al.*, 2010). Remarkably, the MammaPrint 70-gene signature, whose genes reflect the hallmarks of cancer (Tian *et al.*, 2010), can be considered as a milestone in the personalized care for breast cancer patients (Slodkowska & Ross, 2009).

#### **4. Microarrays and cervical cancer**

The origin of cervical cancer (CC) is linked to the infection of High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HR-HPV) mainly type 16 and 18. The genome of these viruses contain 8 viral oncogenes, 2 of which code for the early-expressed oncoproteins E6 and E7 that inhibit the activity of the anti-oncoproteins p53 and pRb, respectively. This way, the oncoproteins deregulate the necessary balance between proliferation and apoptosis, promoting the development of cancer. These imbalances have been studied at the transcriptional level and in a comprehensive manner using microarrays in both clinical samples and cell lines derived from CC with and without therapy. Although there are much fewer reports of microarrays compared to other tissues e.g. for every CC microarray paper, there are 7 for breast cancer (Acevedo Rocha *et al.*, 2007); these few studies have provided invaluable information on the molecular mechanisms of CC.

#### **4.1 Studying carcinogenesis using** *in vitro* **HPV models**

A key event in the development of CC is the infection by HR-HPVs. Using microarray technology, gene expression profiles in cell lines as well as keratinocytes containing HR-HPVs have been assessed (Chang & Laimins, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2001; Duffy *et al.*, 2003; Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004; Lee *et al.*, 2004; Toussaint-Smith *et al.*, 2004). Similarly, the overall effect upon infection of cultured human keratinocytes with low-risk HPVs (LR-HPVs) has been described (Thomas *et al.*, 2001). Interestingly, in contrast to HR-HPVs, LR-HPVs induce the overexpression of a larger number of genes from the family TGF- (Tumor Growth Factor) and apparently, LR-HPVs do not suppress interferoninducible genes (Thomas *et al.*, 2001). This is very interesting as members of the TGF family play a role as tumor suppressor genes (at least at the early development of CC) and interferons are key molecules that counteract viral infections mediated by the immune system. These findings help to explain why the LR-HPVs episomes, conversely to those of HR-HPVs, are easily eliminated in many cases.

Since the first two studies were developed using samples from young patients with relatively early tumours from the same institution, it was not clear whether the 70-gene could also be applied to other patients. Interestingly, the TRANSBIG consortium, a network of 28 institutions promoting international collaboration in translational research across 11 countries, independently validated the 70-gene signature using 302 samples from patients from different age groups (up to 61 years) and from 5 different European hospitals (Buyse *et al.*, 2006). Despite its achievements, the same group questioned whether this 70-gene signature could be used as a standard high-throughput diagnostic test, so, using the samples from the first two mentioned reports, they validated a customized mini-array containing a reduced set of 1,900 probes known as the "MammaPrint" (Glas *et al.*, 2006). The "MammaPrint" prognostic assay is currently being validated under the clinical MINDACT (Microarray in Node-Negative Disease May Avoid Chemotherapy) randomized trial that includes 6,000 patient samples from various centers, even though the 70-gene signature has been validated several times in patients with negative (Bueno-de-Mesquita *et al.*, 2009) or positive (Mook *et al.*, 2009) lymph-node status as well as from other populations, including Japanese (Ishitobi *et al.*, 2010). Remarkably, the MammaPrint 70-gene signature, whose genes reflect the hallmarks of cancer (Tian *et al.*, 2010), can be considered as a milestone in

the personalized care for breast cancer patients (Slodkowska & Ross, 2009).

The origin of cervical cancer (CC) is linked to the infection of High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HR-HPV) mainly type 16 and 18. The genome of these viruses contain 8 viral oncogenes, 2 of which code for the early-expressed oncoproteins E6 and E7 that inhibit the activity of the anti-oncoproteins p53 and pRb, respectively. This way, the oncoproteins deregulate the necessary balance between proliferation and apoptosis, promoting the development of cancer. These imbalances have been studied at the transcriptional level and in a comprehensive manner using microarrays in both clinical samples and cell lines derived from CC with and without therapy. Although there are much fewer reports of microarrays compared to other tissues e.g. for every CC microarray paper, there are 7 for breast cancer (Acevedo Rocha *et al.*, 2007); these few studies have provided invaluable information on the

A key event in the development of CC is the infection by HR-HPVs. Using microarray technology, gene expression profiles in cell lines as well as keratinocytes containing HR-HPVs have been assessed (Chang & Laimins, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2001; Duffy *et al.*, 2003; Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004; Lee *et al.*, 2004; Toussaint-Smith *et al.*, 2004). Similarly, the overall effect upon infection of cultured human keratinocytes with low-risk HPVs (LR-HPVs) has been described (Thomas *et al.*, 2001). Interestingly, in contrast to HR-HPVs, LR-HPVs induce the overexpression of a larger number of genes from the family TGF- (Tumor Growth Factor) and apparently, LR-HPVs do not suppress interferoninducible genes (Thomas *et al.*, 2001). This is very interesting as members of the TGF family play a role as tumor suppressor genes (at least at the early development of CC) and interferons are key molecules that counteract viral infections mediated by the immune system. These findings help to explain why the LR-HPVs episomes, conversely to those of

**4. Microarrays and cervical cancer** 

molecular mechanisms of CC.

**4.1 Studying carcinogenesis using** *in vitro* **HPV models** 

HR-HPVs, are easily eliminated in many cases.

Another important event in the carcinogenesis of CC is the integration of viral genomes into the cellular genome. It is known that upon viral DNA integration into the host genome, the E2 protein expression is usually lost. Since E2 normally represses both E6 and E7, its absence deregulates the latter oncoproteins. Using microarrays, the overall effect upon viral genome integration of HR-HPV type 16, 18, and 33 into cell lines and keratinocytes has been determined (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002; Ruutu *et al.*, 2002; Pett *et al.*, 2006). Notably, these studies found that the integration of the viral genome into the host genome is a critical step because, besides the high chromosomal instability of the infected cells, interferon-inducible genes are accordingly activated, thus eliminating the cells containing mainly viral episomes but promoting the selection of the more unstable cells.

In addition, the overall effect of expressing E2 in some cervical carcinoma cell lines has been also determined (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), inducing in some cases cellular senescence or exit to the G0 cell cycle phase (Wells *et al.*, 2003). Last but not least, the general effect of eliminating the gene E6AP, an important gene involved in the E6-mediated TP53 protein degradation, has been also assessed in multiple CC-derived (HPV+) cell lines (Kelley *et al.*, 2005). All the studies mentioned in this section have identified significant changes in the expression patterns of hundreds of genes including cyclins, kinases, oncogenes, and anti-oncogenes; some known to be involved in CC but other previously unknown, so all these gathered information is essential to systematically study the HPV-mediated CC carcinogenesis.

#### **4.2 Studying carcinogenesis using patient samples**

To identify key genes in the development of CC several strategies have been followed. Some of them had focused on the progress of the lesions while others had compared their origin, i.e. squamous and/or glandular lesions vs normal tissue. In any case, these studies had allowed the identification of gene expression profiles useful for the molecular classification and subclassification of CC.

In the first attempts to classify CC, an expression profile of only 18 differentially expressed genes involved in apoptosis, cell adhesion, and transcription regulation was found between cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and normal cervical tissue using a microarray of 588 genes (Shim *et al.*, 1998). In another interesting study, employing a 10,000-gene microarray, 40 genes allowed the classification of 34 samples of patients into a normal and a tumoral group (Wong *et al.*, 2003). Moreover, from the 34 samples, 16 could be sub-classified as patients with grade IB and IIB tumors, from which four genes displayed key expression levels in both the previous classification and subclassification, suggesting their role as possible tumor markers (Wong *et al.*, 2003). In a similar analysis but using only 1,276 genes together with 10 samples of SCC and 20 of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), a gene expression profile showed that, from all the samples corresponding to CIN3, some correlated with the progression to cancer while others did not, implying the existence of a new subdivision of precancerous lesions histologically indistinguishable (Sopov *et al.*, 2004).

The selection and characterization of tumor samples is critical as this has permitted the establishment of significant gene expression differences between samples from squamous and glandular origin in both normal and pathological conditions (Contag *et al.*, 2004). Obviously, these differences arise by the transcriptional activity of genes particularly expressed in the histological subtypes of CC, but other strategies had also compared the

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 167

classified samples from patients treated with radiation and hyperthermia in two groups: sensitive and tolerant (Harima *et al.*, 2004). Importantly, not only the combined treatment offered a better prognosis than radiotherapy alone, but a long list of genes with a possible

There are other studies where samples of patients with CC were classified in radiotolerant or radiosensitive (Wong *et al.*, 2003), as well as in different radiosensitivity degrees (Tewari *et al.*, 2005). In addition, *in vitro* studies using human keratinocytes (Chen *et al.*, 2002), cervical carcinoma cell lines lacking HPV (Liu *et al.*, 2003) and harboring HPV type either 16 (Liu *et al.*, 2003; Chung *et al.*, 2005) or 18 (Crawford & Piwnica-Worms, 2001; Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003) have been also useful to improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that occur when tumor cells are treated with IR. Moreover, high levels of cyclin D1 mRNA (a molecule that promotes the progression of cell cycle) and low mRNA levels of the "Insulinlike Growth Factor-Binding Protein 2" or IGFBP2 (protein that can inhibit or promote tumor growth in many cancers) (Hoeflich *et al.*, 2001) correlate with a radioresistant phenotype in immortalized human keratinocytes and CC cell lines (Chen *et al.*, 2002; Liu *et al.*, 2003; Chung *et al.*, 2005). Other up-regulated genes, primarily involved in the cell cycle, that were detected in patients and radio-resistant cell lines include GAPDH (Kitahara *et al.*, 2002; Harima *et al.*, 2004), E2F3 (Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003; Liu *et al.*, 2003), DDB1 (Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003; Wong *et al.*, 2003) and ICAM5 (Achary *et al.*, 2000; Chung *et al.*, 2005). However, cyclin B1 and D1 have been determined to be overexpressed in immortalized human keratinocytes and several CC-derived radio-resistant cell lines (Chen *et al.*, 2002; Liu *et al.*, 2003), but suppressed in radiosensitive cell lines (Crawford & Piwnica-Worms, 2001; Chaudhry *et al.*,

Unfortunately, is difficult to find a clear correlation of differentially expressed genes between different microarray studies related to radiation therapy because the response is not only different in every patient, but it also depends on the dose, type, time, etc. In spite of this, other radiation-related tumor markers (Haffty & Glazer, 2003) have also been detected including cyclin D1 (CCND1), the factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), though in isolated studies (Chen *et al.*, 2002;

Similar to radiation, there are several studies but using instead chemical agents. For example, using cell lines derived from CC with and without HPV infection, the effect of anticancer substances that stop cell cycle like lovastatin has been study in a comprehensive manner (Dimitroulakos *et al.*, 2002). Other chemicals have been used like the apoptosisinducing di-indol-methane (Carter *et al.*, 2002), catechin EGCG (found in green tea) (Ahn *et al.*, 2003), arsenic-derived (As2O3 and As4O6) (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b), and platinum-derived compounds (Gatti *et al.*, 2004) as well as the antibiotic zeocin (Hwang *et al.*, 2005). In addition, several effects exerted by chemicals that inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) oncogene (Woodworth *et al.*, 2005) and phosphatidylinositol kinase (PIK3CA) (Lee *et al.*, 2006) signaling pathways had been also assessed. However, since these compounds are highly toxic, with broad action spectra, similar to those of radiotherapy, only very slight correlations of activated or deactivated genes across all these studies can be observed. For example, the expression of pro-metastatic factor JAG2 is suppressed when CC

role in the molecular mechanisms associated with therapy was obtained.

2003).

Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003; Liu *et al.*, 2003).

**4.3.2 Chemotherapy** 

expression profiles between normal and squamous (Cheng *et al.*, 2002b; Chen *et al.*, 2003; Wong *et al.*, 2006) or glandular (Chen *et al.*, 2003; Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004; Chao *et al.*, 2006) tumor samples. Importantly, with a correct histological characterization of the samples, other factors can also be correlated, for example, using more than 40 samples derived from invasive CC (HPV+), it was found that a high burden of viral DNA correlates with high levels of E6 and E7 transcripts, poor prognosis, genomic instability and overexpression of more than 100 genes related to the cell cycle, from which many were identified as oncogenes and at least 50 target genes for the relevant E2F transcription factor family (Rosty *et al.*, 2005). Although the sample description in other studies has remained considerably poor (Ahn *et al.*, 2004a; Guelaguetza Vázquez-Ortíz, 2005; Santin *et al.*, 2005; Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005a; Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005b), these also had generated long lists of genes possibly important for the molecular study of CC.

Lastly, there are two more examples displaying the great power of microarray technology as these have enriched samples from cytological screening (Papanicolaou). For instance, by obtaining normal and cancerous cells from a cytobrush and from simple exfoliated cells, it was possible to identify known and potential tumor markers in epithelial cells (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005) and CIN3 lesions (Steinau *et al.*, 2005), respectively.

#### **4.3 Treatment**

In the CC treatment, besides surgery there is radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, it's not possible to predict the individual response of patients. The ability of tumor cells to evade treatments suggests that there are different resistance-induced mechanisms. It is believed that by monitoring the genes involved in the resistance against therapy, will help not only to understand the molecular mechanisms of CC, but also to improve its treatment. Accordingly, depending on the gene expression profiles of tumor samples that indicate sensitivity to radiation or chemotherapy, it could be possible to classify patients, allowing a customized CC treatment (Chin *et al.*, 2005).

#### **4.3.1 Radiation**

The survival of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer has been improved by combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, it has been estimated that about 65% of patients can be cured with radiation alone (Usmani *et al.*, 2005) but such patients have not been identified so far and therefore they suffer the unnecessary and lethal chemotherapy effects. The long-term goal of the first report using microarrays in combination with radiotherapy against CC, was to find a GEP that would help deciding whether a patient would benefit or not with this treatment, avoiding in this way chemotherapy (Achary *et al.*, 2000). Using a microarray of 5,776 genes, 70 identified genes allowed the differentiation of two cell lines derived from a single carcinoma, which had been previously characterized as radiosensitive and radiotolerant. Interestingly, some genes were previously associated with a cellular response against radiation, suggesting a key role in therapy resistance (Achary *et al.*, 2000). Likewise, it was possible to classify 19 samples with 100% accuracy in two groups: sensitive and tolerant to ionizing radiation (IR) by using 62 out of 23.000 (Kitahara *et al.*, 2002). Moreover, from the genes identified in the previous study, it was found that low levels of the gene XRCC5, and its corresponding protein Ku80, correlated with a good prognosis in CC patients (Harima *et al.*, 2003). Thereafter, but using instead 35 genes, the same group classified samples from patients treated with radiation and hyperthermia in two groups: sensitive and tolerant (Harima *et al.*, 2004). Importantly, not only the combined treatment offered a better prognosis than radiotherapy alone, but a long list of genes with a possible role in the molecular mechanisms associated with therapy was obtained.

There are other studies where samples of patients with CC were classified in radiotolerant or radiosensitive (Wong *et al.*, 2003), as well as in different radiosensitivity degrees (Tewari *et al.*, 2005). In addition, *in vitro* studies using human keratinocytes (Chen *et al.*, 2002), cervical carcinoma cell lines lacking HPV (Liu *et al.*, 2003) and harboring HPV type either 16 (Liu *et al.*, 2003; Chung *et al.*, 2005) or 18 (Crawford & Piwnica-Worms, 2001; Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003) have been also useful to improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that occur when tumor cells are treated with IR. Moreover, high levels of cyclin D1 mRNA (a molecule that promotes the progression of cell cycle) and low mRNA levels of the "Insulinlike Growth Factor-Binding Protein 2" or IGFBP2 (protein that can inhibit or promote tumor growth in many cancers) (Hoeflich *et al.*, 2001) correlate with a radioresistant phenotype in immortalized human keratinocytes and CC cell lines (Chen *et al.*, 2002; Liu *et al.*, 2003; Chung *et al.*, 2005). Other up-regulated genes, primarily involved in the cell cycle, that were detected in patients and radio-resistant cell lines include GAPDH (Kitahara *et al.*, 2002; Harima *et al.*, 2004), E2F3 (Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003; Liu *et al.*, 2003), DDB1 (Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003; Wong *et al.*, 2003) and ICAM5 (Achary *et al.*, 2000; Chung *et al.*, 2005). However, cyclin B1 and D1 have been determined to be overexpressed in immortalized human keratinocytes and several CC-derived radio-resistant cell lines (Chen *et al.*, 2002; Liu *et al.*, 2003), but suppressed in radiosensitive cell lines (Crawford & Piwnica-Worms, 2001; Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003).

Unfortunately, is difficult to find a clear correlation of differentially expressed genes between different microarray studies related to radiation therapy because the response is not only different in every patient, but it also depends on the dose, type, time, etc. In spite of this, other radiation-related tumor markers (Haffty & Glazer, 2003) have also been detected including cyclin D1 (CCND1), the factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), though in isolated studies (Chen *et al.*, 2002; Chaudhry *et al.*, 2003; Liu *et al.*, 2003).

#### **4.3.2 Chemotherapy**

166 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

expression profiles between normal and squamous (Cheng *et al.*, 2002b; Chen *et al.*, 2003; Wong *et al.*, 2006) or glandular (Chen *et al.*, 2003; Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004; Chao *et al.*, 2006) tumor samples. Importantly, with a correct histological characterization of the samples, other factors can also be correlated, for example, using more than 40 samples derived from invasive CC (HPV+), it was found that a high burden of viral DNA correlates with high levels of E6 and E7 transcripts, poor prognosis, genomic instability and overexpression of more than 100 genes related to the cell cycle, from which many were identified as oncogenes and at least 50 target genes for the relevant E2F transcription factor family (Rosty *et al.*, 2005). Although the sample description in other studies has remained considerably poor (Ahn *et al.*, 2004a; Guelaguetza Vázquez-Ortíz, 2005; Santin *et al.*, 2005; Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005a; Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005b), these also had generated long lists of genes possibly

Lastly, there are two more examples displaying the great power of microarray technology as these have enriched samples from cytological screening (Papanicolaou). For instance, by obtaining normal and cancerous cells from a cytobrush and from simple exfoliated cells, it was possible to identify known and potential tumor markers in epithelial cells (Hudelist *et* 

In the CC treatment, besides surgery there is radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, it's not possible to predict the individual response of patients. The ability of tumor cells to evade treatments suggests that there are different resistance-induced mechanisms. It is believed that by monitoring the genes involved in the resistance against therapy, will help not only to understand the molecular mechanisms of CC, but also to improve its treatment. Accordingly, depending on the gene expression profiles of tumor samples that indicate sensitivity to radiation or chemotherapy, it could be possible to classify patients, allowing a

The survival of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer has been improved by combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, it has been estimated that about 65% of patients can be cured with radiation alone (Usmani *et al.*, 2005) but such patients have not been identified so far and therefore they suffer the unnecessary and lethal chemotherapy effects. The long-term goal of the first report using microarrays in combination with radiotherapy against CC, was to find a GEP that would help deciding whether a patient would benefit or not with this treatment, avoiding in this way chemotherapy (Achary *et al.*, 2000). Using a microarray of 5,776 genes, 70 identified genes allowed the differentiation of two cell lines derived from a single carcinoma, which had been previously characterized as radiosensitive and radiotolerant. Interestingly, some genes were previously associated with a cellular response against radiation, suggesting a key role in therapy resistance (Achary *et al.*, 2000). Likewise, it was possible to classify 19 samples with 100% accuracy in two groups: sensitive and tolerant to ionizing radiation (IR) by using 62 out of 23.000 (Kitahara *et al.*, 2002). Moreover, from the genes identified in the previous study, it was found that low levels of the gene XRCC5, and its corresponding protein Ku80, correlated with a good prognosis in CC patients (Harima *et al.*, 2003). Thereafter, but using instead 35 genes, the same group

important for the molecular study of CC.

customized CC treatment (Chin *et al.*, 2005).

**4.3 Treatment** 

**4.3.1 Radiation** 

*al.*, 2005) and CIN3 lesions (Steinau *et al.*, 2005), respectively.

Similar to radiation, there are several studies but using instead chemical agents. For example, using cell lines derived from CC with and without HPV infection, the effect of anticancer substances that stop cell cycle like lovastatin has been study in a comprehensive manner (Dimitroulakos *et al.*, 2002). Other chemicals have been used like the apoptosisinducing di-indol-methane (Carter *et al.*, 2002), catechin EGCG (found in green tea) (Ahn *et al.*, 2003), arsenic-derived (As2O3 and As4O6) (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b), and platinum-derived compounds (Gatti *et al.*, 2004) as well as the antibiotic zeocin (Hwang *et al.*, 2005). In addition, several effects exerted by chemicals that inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) oncogene (Woodworth *et al.*, 2005) and phosphatidylinositol kinase (PIK3CA) (Lee *et al.*, 2006) signaling pathways had been also assessed. However, since these compounds are highly toxic, with broad action spectra, similar to those of radiotherapy, only very slight correlations of activated or deactivated genes across all these studies can be observed. For example, the expression of pro-metastatic factor JAG2 is suppressed when CC

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 169

**Up-regulated genes in cervical cancer Down-regulated genes in cervical cancer** 

CDKN1A

FN1

TRIM22

IL1RN

SPRR1A

TNC

2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005) ABCA1 (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Kelley *et al.*,

2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) BNIP2 (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004),

2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005) CSPG2 (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002),

*al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) DDB2 (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004),

*et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) GSN (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*,

*et al.*, 2005), (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005) INPP5D (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Wells

2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) IVL (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*,

2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005) KLK7 (Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003),

2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) LAMA3 (Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005),

*al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) KRT4 (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002),

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Toussaint-Smith *et al.*, 2004), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005), (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Pett *et al.*, 2006), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Pett *et al.*, 2006), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

2006), (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005), (Liu *et al.*, 2003)

2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Kelley *et al.*, 2005)

2004), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005)

*et al.*, 2003)

2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Santin *et al.*, 2005)

KRT16 (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002),

IGFBP6 (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*,

LCN2 (Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

*Gene References Gene References* 

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Chen *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005), (Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005a), (Liu *et al.*, 2003)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) , (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Pett *et al.*, 2006), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

BUB1 (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*,

CCNB2 (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*,

CDC2 (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*,

CDC20 (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et* 

CKS1B (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty

E2F1 (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin

FOXM1 (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*,

KRT18 (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*,

MEST (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Chen *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et* 

MSH6 (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*,

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Vazquez-Ortiz et al, 2005b)

TOP2A

CCNA2

CCNB1

CDKN2A

PLK1

BIRC5

MCM2

NEK2

MKI67

cell lines were treated with platinum-containing compounds (Gatti *et al.*, 2004) or diindolymethane (Carter *et al.*, 2002). Di-indolymethane (Carter *et al.*, 2002) or arsenic compounds (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b), on the other hand, suppressed the transcripts of the proliferation marker PCNA.

It has been likewise reported that the transcription factor E2F4 can be suppressed by the competitive inhibition (in the ATP binding-site) of the EGFR (Woodworth *et al.*, 2005) or simply using zeocin (Hwang *et al.*, 2005). Another gene involved in cell proliferation is CHEK1, which can be suppressed by zeocin (Hwang *et al.*, 2005) and derivatives of arsenic (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b). Lastly, the membrane marker CD83 (antigen involved in immunologic response) has also been down-regulated using arsenic compounds (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b) and EGCG (Ahn *et al.*, 2003). Despite efforts to improve the prognosis of patients through the use of diverse chemotherapy regimens, radiation and their combinations, the quality of life, generally speaking, has not been yet improved significantly (Duenas-Gonzalez *et al.*, 2003). Owed to this, the search for new tumor markers and the development of drugs specifically targeted against these molecules is an important step to control CC.

#### **5. A systematic view on cervical cancer**

Systems biology (SB) seeks to explain biological phenomena through the study of networks that emerge because of the interactions of the cellular and biochemical components of a cell or organism (Kitano, 2002). This can be achieved with the aid of bioinformatics, as it allows the integration of large amounts of information that are generated every day as well as the construction of biology-oriented mathematical models. In fact, not only transcriptional network models for the understanding of cancer have been simulated, but also the integration of microarray-derived data has been a useful tool for identifying gene modules involved in different cancer-altered pathways (Segal *et al.*, 2005). Furthermore, it has been shown that cancer alterations can be better correlated when these are compared to different organisms, suggesting that combining data obtained from both cell lines and various techniques can provide more compelling ideas to understand biological phenomena.

#### **5.1 Systems biology and cervical cancer**

All available information from the cancer transcriptome could be easily correlated if the respective studies would share a universal language e.g. MIAME (Minimal Information About a Microarray Experiment) (Quackenbush, 2004).

Most microarray reports and in particular those in CC, however, contain no standardized data. Using a database and different computational tools (Kent, 2002; Wain *et al.*, 2004; Wheeler *et al.*, 2008) to assign all genes the same nomenclature, it is nonetheless possible to assess their expression levels and correlate them in different scenarios. For example, from all the aforementioned CC microarray studies, when assessing only "on"/"off" expression, we observed genes commonly found between some studies (Table 1).

Many of the genes in Table 1 have been implicated before in CC. Nevertheless, these genes can be related to other high performance techniques, such as the identification of tumor suppressor genes among a big set of genes that increase their expression during loss of tumorigenicity in HeLa cells (Mikheev *et al.*, 2004) or the quantification of transcripts present in samples of CC (Frigessi *et al.*, 2005) or normal cervix (Perez-Plasencia *et al.*, 2005).

cell lines were treated with platinum-containing compounds (Gatti *et al.*, 2004) or diindolymethane (Carter *et al.*, 2002). Di-indolymethane (Carter *et al.*, 2002) or arsenic compounds (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b), on the other hand, suppressed the transcripts of the

It has been likewise reported that the transcription factor E2F4 can be suppressed by the competitive inhibition (in the ATP binding-site) of the EGFR (Woodworth *et al.*, 2005) or simply using zeocin (Hwang *et al.*, 2005). Another gene involved in cell proliferation is CHEK1, which can be suppressed by zeocin (Hwang *et al.*, 2005) and derivatives of arsenic (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b). Lastly, the membrane marker CD83 (antigen involved in immunologic response) has also been down-regulated using arsenic compounds (Ahn *et al.*, 2004b) and EGCG (Ahn *et al.*, 2003). Despite efforts to improve the prognosis of patients through the use of diverse chemotherapy regimens, radiation and their combinations, the quality of life, generally speaking, has not been yet improved significantly (Duenas-Gonzalez *et al.*, 2003). Owed to this, the search for new tumor markers and the development of drugs specifically

Systems biology (SB) seeks to explain biological phenomena through the study of networks that emerge because of the interactions of the cellular and biochemical components of a cell or organism (Kitano, 2002). This can be achieved with the aid of bioinformatics, as it allows the integration of large amounts of information that are generated every day as well as the construction of biology-oriented mathematical models. In fact, not only transcriptional network models for the understanding of cancer have been simulated, but also the integration of microarray-derived data has been a useful tool for identifying gene modules involved in different cancer-altered pathways (Segal *et al.*, 2005). Furthermore, it has been shown that cancer alterations can be better correlated when these are compared to different organisms, suggesting that combining data obtained from both cell lines and various

techniques can provide more compelling ideas to understand biological phenomena.

All available information from the cancer transcriptome could be easily correlated if the respective studies would share a universal language e.g. MIAME (Minimal Information

Most microarray reports and in particular those in CC, however, contain no standardized data. Using a database and different computational tools (Kent, 2002; Wain *et al.*, 2004; Wheeler *et al.*, 2008) to assign all genes the same nomenclature, it is nonetheless possible to assess their expression levels and correlate them in different scenarios. For example, from all the aforementioned CC microarray studies, when assessing only "on"/"off" expression, we

Many of the genes in Table 1 have been implicated before in CC. Nevertheless, these genes can be related to other high performance techniques, such as the identification of tumor suppressor genes among a big set of genes that increase their expression during loss of tumorigenicity in HeLa cells (Mikheev *et al.*, 2004) or the quantification of transcripts present in samples of CC (Frigessi *et al.*, 2005) or normal cervix (Perez-Plasencia *et al.*, 2005).

targeted against these molecules is an important step to control CC.

**5. A systematic view on cervical cancer** 

**5.1 Systems biology and cervical cancer** 

About a Microarray Experiment) (Quackenbush, 2004).

observed genes commonly found between some studies (Table 1).

proliferation marker PCNA.


A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 171

cancerous lesions of squamous and/or glandular origin and ultimately to death. In other words, with this model (Fig. 3) it is not only possible to correlate the up/down regulation of

Fig. 3. Cervix carcinogenesis systematic model. The various nomenclatures employed in the histopathology of cervical cancer are aligned by dashed lines and extended to key cellular and molecular events that occur during the transformation of the epithelium. The solid lines indicate a direct relationship between key events. A key event is the infection of cells in the basal membrane by HR-HPVs. These can turn into episomal bodies, which will be in charge of, on one hand, producing infective virions and, on the other, integrating into the genome of epithelial cells. Upon infection, an average of 2-3 years are necessary to develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of low- (CIN1/2) and/or high-grade (CIN3), often characterized by the integration of the viral genome, another key event for the disease progression as this often triggers the deregulation of the oncogenes E6 and E7, mayor chromosomal alterations and cellular immortalization. The immune system plays a key role during carcinogenesis since the majority of HR-HPV infections (80%) as well as most low-grade lesions (80%) regress. Due to this and the long periods of time between viral infection and the progression

to invasive disease, the infection by HR-HPVs is necessary but not sufficient for the

grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

development of cervical cancer; in addition, the inactivation of anti-oncogenes (besides pRb and p53) and activation of oncogenes are necessary to consequently provoke changes at the (epi-)genomic, transcriptomic and protemic level. *D* = Displasia; L- or HSIL = Low- or High-


Table 1. Genes primarily found to be up- or down-regulated in cervical cancer across different DNA microarray platforms comparing non-pathogenic vs tumor samples and cell lines. The internationally accepted nomenclature for each gene can be found in: http://www.genenames.org/ or http://cgap.nci.nih.gov/Genes/GeneFinder.

Moreover, it is even possible to combine all this information with that derived of techniques of medium- (Nees *et al.*, 1998; Cheng *et al.*, 2002a; Brentani *et al.*, 2003; Ahn *et al.*, 2005; Ranamukhaarachchi *et al.*, 2005; Seo *et al.*, 2005; Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005) and low- (Helliwell, 2001; Keating *et al.*, 2001; Follen *et al.*, 2003; Gray & Herrington, 2004) performance in CC.

In addition, the to-be-integrated information can be further correlated with genes that have been (a) implied as potential markers in several metastatic solid tumors, including some of uterine origin (Ramaswamy *et al.*, 2003); (b) associated with cervical cancer and other kind of cancers whose somatic or germline mutations frequently favor the development of neoplasia (Forbes *et al.*, 2006); or (c) proposed as common tumor proliferation markers overexpressed across microarray reports in very diverse tumor tissues (Whitfield *et al.*, 2006). Last but not least, a more comprehensive systematic analysis of CC can be done by correlating gene upregulation mediated via the transcription factors E2F (Bracken *et al.*, 2004) and TP53 (Wei *et al.*, 2006), being this integration crucial for a general understanding of the transcriptional regulation during CC development because the functions E2F and TP53 are respectively altered by the oncoproteins E7 and E6. The idea of integrating all these additional supporting studies from many sources poses great potential in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer as has been shown in liver carcinoma (Thorgeirsson *et al.*, 2006).

#### **5.2 Systematic model of HPV-mediated cervical carcinogenesis**

The invaluable information provided by all the aforementioned microarray-based CC reports can be related to those additional supporting studies through an integrative disease model as the HPV-mediated cervix carcinogenesis develops in a complex multiple-step process (Sherman & Kurman, 1998; Klaes *et al.*, 1999; zur Hausen, 2002; Sherman, 2003; Ahn *et al.*, 2004a; Frazer, 2004; Pett *et al.*, 2006; Snijders *et al.*, 2006). It starts with the HR-HPV infection and episomes formation thereof, followed by the production of virions and/or the integration of the viral genome into the host one that can lead to precancerous and

**Up-regulated genes in cervical cancer Down-regulated genes in cervical cancer** 

*et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) SMPG (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*,

*et al.*, 2006), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005) PPP2R5B (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Ruutu *et al.*,

*al.*, 2003), (Ahn *et al.*, 2004a) SERPINB2 (Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002),

2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) PI3 (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002),

2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005) SPRR2B (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Wong *et al.*, 2006),

2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Santin *et al.*, 2005)

2002), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Wong *et al.*, 2006)

SULT2B1 (Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003),

*Gene References Gene References* 

Table 1. Genes primarily found to be up- or down-regulated in cervical cancer across different DNA microarray platforms comparing non-pathogenic vs tumor samples and cell

Moreover, it is even possible to combine all this information with that derived of techniques of medium- (Nees *et al.*, 1998; Cheng *et al.*, 2002a; Brentani *et al.*, 2003; Ahn *et al.*, 2005; Ranamukhaarachchi *et al.*, 2005; Seo *et al.*, 2005; Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005) and low- (Helliwell, 2001; Keating *et al.*, 2001; Follen *et al.*, 2003; Gray & Herrington, 2004) performance in CC.

In addition, the to-be-integrated information can be further correlated with genes that have been (a) implied as potential markers in several metastatic solid tumors, including some of uterine origin (Ramaswamy *et al.*, 2003); (b) associated with cervical cancer and other kind of cancers whose somatic or germline mutations frequently favor the development of neoplasia (Forbes *et al.*, 2006); or (c) proposed as common tumor proliferation markers overexpressed across microarray reports in very diverse tumor tissues (Whitfield *et al.*, 2006). Last but not least, a more comprehensive systematic analysis of CC can be done by correlating gene upregulation mediated via the transcription factors E2F (Bracken *et al.*, 2004) and TP53 (Wei *et al.*, 2006), being this integration crucial for a general understanding of the transcriptional regulation during CC development because the functions E2F and TP53 are respectively altered by the oncoproteins E7 and E6. The idea of integrating all these additional supporting studies from many sources poses great potential in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer as has been shown in liver carcinoma (Thorgeirsson *et al.*, 2006).

The invaluable information provided by all the aforementioned microarray-based CC reports can be related to those additional supporting studies through an integrative disease model as the HPV-mediated cervix carcinogenesis develops in a complex multiple-step process (Sherman & Kurman, 1998; Klaes *et al.*, 1999; zur Hausen, 2002; Sherman, 2003; Ahn *et al.*, 2004a; Frazer, 2004; Pett *et al.*, 2006; Snijders *et al.*, 2006). It starts with the HR-HPV infection and episomes formation thereof, followed by the production of virions and/or the integration of the viral genome into the host one that can lead to precancerous and

lines. The internationally accepted nomenclature for each gene can be found in: http://www.genenames.org/ or http://cgap.nci.nih.gov/Genes/GeneFinder.

**5.2 Systematic model of HPV-mediated cervical carcinogenesis** 

MYBL2 (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Chen *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty

PRIM1 (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*,

RRM2 (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Wong

SPARC (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Chen *et* 

TTK (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wells *et al.*,

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Toussaint-Smith *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005a)

VEGF

cancerous lesions of squamous and/or glandular origin and ultimately to death. In other words, with this model (Fig. 3) it is not only possible to correlate the up/down regulation of

Fig. 3. Cervix carcinogenesis systematic model. The various nomenclatures employed in the histopathology of cervical cancer are aligned by dashed lines and extended to key cellular and molecular events that occur during the transformation of the epithelium. The solid lines indicate a direct relationship between key events. A key event is the infection of cells in the basal membrane by HR-HPVs. These can turn into episomal bodies, which will be in charge of, on one hand, producing infective virions and, on the other, integrating into the genome of epithelial cells. Upon infection, an average of 2-3 years are necessary to develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of low- (CIN1/2) and/or high-grade (CIN3), often characterized by the integration of the viral genome, another key event for the disease progression as this often triggers the deregulation of the oncogenes E6 and E7, mayor chromosomal alterations and cellular immortalization. The immune system plays a key role during carcinogenesis since the majority of HR-HPV infections (80%) as well as most low-grade lesions (80%) regress. Due to this and the long periods of time between viral infection and the progression to invasive disease, the infection by HR-HPVs is necessary but not sufficient for the development of cervical cancer; in addition, the inactivation of anti-oncogenes (besides pRb and p53) and activation of oncogenes are necessary to consequently provoke changes at the (epi-)genomic, transcriptomic and protemic level. *D* = Displasia; L- or HSIL = Low- or Highgrade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 173

*Medium-*

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003)

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003)

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003) (Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005) (Cheng *et al.*, 2002a)

(Brentani *et al.*,

(Brentani *et al.*,

(Ranamukhaar achchi *et al.*, 2005)

(Brentani *et al.*,

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003) (Ranamukhaar achchi *et al.*, 2005)

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003) (Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005)

(Brentani *et al.*,

**References** 

*Low-Metastasis* 

(Follen *et* 

(Keating *et* 

2003) - - -


2003) - - -

2003) - - -

(Forbes


*et al.*,

2006) -

(Whitfield

(Whitfield

*et al.*, 2006)

*et al.*, 2006)

*al.*, 2003)

*al.*, 2001)



**ThroughputB MarkerC TFD AnalysisE**

*Cancer* 


*Proliferation* 

(Whitfield

2006)

(Whitfield *et al.*, 2006)

2003) - - - - - - - -

(Bracken *et al.*, 2004)



(Wei *et*

*al.*,

2006)

(Wilting *et al.*, 2006)


*et al.*, 2006) (Bracken *et* 

*al.*, 2004)



*E2F* 

*TP53* 

*Genome* 

*Transcriptome* 


(Martin *et al.*,

2006)





2006)



Gonzalez *et* 

*l* 2005)

*Proteome* 

*Epigenome* 

**Biological Process** 

*Cell Cycle* 

**Gene (Locus)A**

MKI67 (Ag Ki-67) (10q25-ter)

CDKN2A (p16INK4a) (9p21)

> CCNB1 (5q12)

PLK1 (16p12.1)

CCNA2 (4q25-31)

> *MSH6*  (2p16)

*MAD2L1* (4q27)

*CKS1B* (1q21.2)

*SMC4L1*  (3q26.1)

*ZWINT* (10q21-22)

> BIRC5 (17q25)

*Apoptosis* 

*High-*

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005b)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005), (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005), (Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005a), (Liu *et al.*, 2003)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Pett *et al.*, 2006), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

specific genes upon presence/absence of HR-HPVs episomes or genome integration as well as that of the oncoproteins E6 and/or E7, but also to identify specific carcinogenesis targets.

Depending on the study, however, the gene correlation has to be carefully done, for example, the processes of cell differentiation and senescence (Nees *et al.*, 2000; Wells *et al.*, 2003; Ranamukhaarachchi *et al.*, 2005) have been considered as anti-cell proliferation molecular events (Gandarillas, 2000). Similarly, an indirect correlation could be observed for gene activation mediated by LR-HPVs (Thomas *et al.*, 2001) but not HR-HPVs or E6 and E7 oncogene suppression (Wells *et al.*, 2003; Thierry *et al.*, 2004; Kelley *et al.*, 2005) by E2 (Dowhanick *et al.*, 1995) or RNA interference (Novina & Sharp, 2004). More importantly, nonetheless, as will be discussed in the coming subsections, this model allows the comparison of candidate tumor markers to data obtained from other CC studies at the genomic (Lazo, 1999; Wilting *et al.*, 2006), transcriptomic (Martin *et al.*, 2006), proteomic (Bae *et al.*, 2005; Choi *et al.*, 2005; Yim & Park, 2006) and epigenomic (Duenas-Gonzalez *et al.*, 2005; Sova *et al.*, 2006) level.

#### **5.3 Up-regulated candidate tumor markers**

Although many genes frequently activated in CC have been reported using microarrays, other techniques and analyses strongly suggest that these are tumor markers. This can be illustrated with the inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) *p16INK4a* or *CDKN2A*, which is involved in cell cycle and has been categorized as a tumor marker in the development of CC (Keating *et al.*, 2001). Overexpression of *p16INK4a* at both the transcript and protein level can be detected in samples of cervical dysplasia, squamous and glandular HR-HPV positive and negative lesions when compared with normal cervix by lowthroughput techniques (Martin *et al.*, 2006). As summarized in Table 2, *p16INK4a* up-regulation has been also found using medium- (Brentani *et al.*, 2003) and high-performance methods when the oncoprotein E7 is expressed in cell lines *in vitro* (Nees *et al.*, 2001; Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), in patient samples *in vivo* (Rosty *et al.*, 2005) and when comparing tumors vs normal tissue (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005; Rosty *et al.*, 2005; Santin *et al.*, 2005; Wong *et al.*, 2006).

Interestingly, *p16INK4a* is one of the genes that can display somatic mutations in CC; an abnormal status that has been linked to the development of cervical squamous cell cancer (SCC) (Forbes *et al.*, 2006). Dozens of references in the literature demonstrate that the overexpression of *p16INK4a* is useful as a CC tumor marker; however, using patient samples, others have determined transcript inactivation due to strong hypermethylation on its promoter region (Duenas-Gonzalez *et al.*, 2005). Although these findings are contradictory at first glance, some subpopulations of dysplastic cervical cells can also display epigenetic silencing of *p16INK4a* and associated low protein levels (Nuovo *et al.*, 1999). This suggests that the expression of *p16INK4a* is inhibited in some cells within the tumor, whereas its overexpression can be abundant in other cells, most probably expressing the oncoprotein E7. In spite of this, the detection of *p16INK4a* is very useful in the cytological diagnosis of CC and, furthermore, recent evidence suggests that the determination of the *p16INK4a* protein may be even more useful than the already-established HR-HPVs detection in the cytological diagnosis (Nieh *et al.*, 2005).

Another important up-regulated gene is "survivin" or *BIRC5* (Table 2). Although surviving expression is undetectable in normal adult tissues, its expression can be detected normally

specific genes upon presence/absence of HR-HPVs episomes or genome integration as well as that of the oncoproteins E6 and/or E7, but also to identify specific carcinogenesis targets. Depending on the study, however, the gene correlation has to be carefully done, for example, the processes of cell differentiation and senescence (Nees *et al.*, 2000; Wells *et al.*, 2003; Ranamukhaarachchi *et al.*, 2005) have been considered as anti-cell proliferation molecular events (Gandarillas, 2000). Similarly, an indirect correlation could be observed for gene activation mediated by LR-HPVs (Thomas *et al.*, 2001) but not HR-HPVs or E6 and E7 oncogene suppression (Wells *et al.*, 2003; Thierry *et al.*, 2004; Kelley *et al.*, 2005) by E2 (Dowhanick *et al.*, 1995) or RNA interference (Novina & Sharp, 2004). More importantly, nonetheless, as will be discussed in the coming subsections, this model allows the comparison of candidate tumor markers to data obtained from other CC studies at the genomic (Lazo, 1999; Wilting *et al.*, 2006), transcriptomic (Martin *et al.*, 2006), proteomic (Bae *et al.*, 2005; Choi *et al.*, 2005; Yim & Park, 2006) and epigenomic (Duenas-Gonzalez *et al.*,

Although many genes frequently activated in CC have been reported using microarrays, other techniques and analyses strongly suggest that these are tumor markers. This can be illustrated with the inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) *p16INK4a* or *CDKN2A*, which is involved in cell cycle and has been categorized as a tumor marker in the development of CC (Keating *et al.*, 2001). Overexpression of *p16INK4a* at both the transcript and protein level can be detected in samples of cervical dysplasia, squamous and glandular HR-HPV positive and negative lesions when compared with normal cervix by lowthroughput techniques (Martin *et al.*, 2006). As summarized in Table 2, *p16INK4a* up-regulation has been also found using medium- (Brentani *et al.*, 2003) and high-performance methods when the oncoprotein E7 is expressed in cell lines *in vitro* (Nees *et al.*, 2001; Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), in patient samples *in vivo* (Rosty *et al.*, 2005) and when comparing tumors vs normal tissue (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005; Rosty *et al.*, 2005; Santin *et al.*, 2005; Wong *et al.*, 2006).

Interestingly, *p16INK4a* is one of the genes that can display somatic mutations in CC; an abnormal status that has been linked to the development of cervical squamous cell cancer (SCC) (Forbes *et al.*, 2006). Dozens of references in the literature demonstrate that the overexpression of *p16INK4a* is useful as a CC tumor marker; however, using patient samples, others have determined transcript inactivation due to strong hypermethylation on its promoter region (Duenas-Gonzalez *et al.*, 2005). Although these findings are contradictory at first glance, some subpopulations of dysplastic cervical cells can also display epigenetic silencing of *p16INK4a* and associated low protein levels (Nuovo *et al.*, 1999). This suggests that the expression of *p16INK4a* is inhibited in some cells within the tumor, whereas its overexpression can be abundant in other cells, most probably expressing the oncoprotein E7. In spite of this, the detection of *p16INK4a* is very useful in the cytological diagnosis of CC and, furthermore, recent evidence suggests that the determination of the *p16INK4a* protein may be even more useful than the already-established HR-HPVs detection in the cytological

Another important up-regulated gene is "survivin" or *BIRC5* (Table 2). Although surviving expression is undetectable in normal adult tissues, its expression can be detected normally

2005; Sova *et al.*, 2006) level.

diagnosis (Nieh *et al.*, 2005).

**5.3 Up-regulated candidate tumor markers** 


A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 175

and particularly in CC (Branca *et al.*, 2005), opening promising therapeutic strategies (Altieri, 2006). Other emergent useful target genes are the members 2 and 4 from the "minichromosome maintenance deficient" complex or *MCM* found, genes primary involved in DNA replication that have been considered useful for cancer diagnosis and therapy (Rosty et al., 2005; Santin et al., 2005). Similarly, other up-regulated genes that could be specifically targeted are the 2 topoisomerase or *TOP2A* (Whitfield *et al.*, 2006), cyclin B1 or *CCNB1* (Yuan *et al.*, 2004), the kinase 1 polo type or *PLK1* (Strebhardt & Ullrich, 2006) and keratin 19 or *KRT19* (Chang *et al.*, 2005). The transcripts of the latter gene have been abundantly estimated not only in CC-derived samples (Frigessi *et al.*, 2005), but also determined as overexpressed at both the messenger (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002; Brentani *et al.*, 2003; Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004; Wong *et al.*, 2006), and protein (Bae *et al.*, 2005) level in cervical neoplasia compared to normal tissue. As *KRT19*, a protein part of the intermediate filaments of epithelial cells, *KRT18* (Table

It should be noted that several genes reported in Table 2 only have been linked to CC using high and average performance techniques, such as the gene involved in the structural maintenance of chromosomes *"SMC4L1"*. As far as we known, a single report correlated the expression levels of this gene to esophageal squamous cancer (Yen *et al.*, 2005), but a genomic analysis showed that chromosomal gains in the region 3q12.1- 28 (where *SMC4L1* lies) are most common in SCC (Wilting *et al.*, 2006). This gene might be activated by E2F (Bracken *et al.*, 2004), but it is desirable to check the expression levels of SMC4L1 with lowyield techniques to determine its relevance in CC as well as for potential metastatic markers

Using microarrays and other techniques it has been possible to find genes frequently downregulated in CC, suggesting that these may play a role as tumor markers e.g. the tumor suppressor gene *p21WAF1/CIP1* or *CDKN1A*, which regulates the cell cycle via CDKs inhibition, senescence as well as TP53-dependent and -independent apoptosis (Table 3). Upon degradation or inactivation of the nuclear phosphoprotein TP53 by E6 or PLK1, respectively, the transcription of *p21WAF1/CIP1* is reduced as observed in several types of cancer (Gartel & Radhakrishnan, 2005) and particularly in CC samples using DNA microarrays (Chang & Laimins, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2001; Duffy *et al.*, 2003; Wells *et al.*, 2003; Thierry *et al.*, 2004; Kelley *et al.*, 2005). In addition, it has been suggested that low *p21WAF1/CIP1* expression correlates with poor prognosis in cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) (Lu *et al.*, 1998). Moreover, in samples derived from CC it has been observed a decrease in cell growth and induction of *p21WAF1/CIP1* by platinum-based chemotherapy (Gatti *et al.*, 2004) as well as

Other down-regulated genes in CC include the gene desmoglein 1 or *DSG1*, which encodes a protein involved in the homeostasis of cell-cell epithelial junctions and belongs to the family of "cadherins", proteins whose expression decreases as it progresses in many kinds of cancers, such as cervical cancer (de Boer *et al.*, 1999). It has been determined that the expression of *DSG1* increases in presence of LR-HPVs episomal bodies in human keratinocytes, but its expression levels highly decrease when HR-HPV episomes are present in cell lines and SCC samples. Moreover, DSG1 importantly lies in an area that often presents chromosomal losses during CC (Table 3) and has been assigned as a pro-apoptotic

2) could likewise play an important role in the molecular diagnosis of cancer.

like LMNB1 or proliferation ones like MAD2L1 gene (Table 2).

radioimmunotherapy directed against KRT19 (Chang *et al.*, 2005).

factor mediated by the caspase 3 in keratinocytes (Dusek *et al.*, 2006).

**5.4 Down-regulated candidate tumor markers** 


Table 2. Genes frequently reported as up-regulated in cervical cancer (CC). A) For each biological process, genes are listed in descending order by the mayor number of reports related to CC e.g. the gene MKI67 has been reported at least 190 times in CC. Genes in bold have been used as therapeutic targets in cancer, whereas genes in italics are not so known in CC. The chromosomal localization of the gene is shown in brackets. B) Techniques of highthroughput are DNA microarrays; medium- DD, RDA and ESTs; and low- are tumor markers previously defined in CC. C) Genes proposed as metastasis markers (in solid tumors), tumoral cancer markers (due to frequent mutations) and proliferation markers (large number of cancers). D) Transcription factor (TF) that might regulate the corresponding gene. E) The analysis of the genome refers to the most common chromosomal gains in CC (1q, 3q, 5p, 8q, 20q and Xq); transcriptome to the importance of genes in CC; proteome to overexpressed proteins in CC and; epigenome to genes whose promoter has been found methylated in samples derived from CC. For gene nomenclature see Table 1.

in embryogenesis and abnormally in cancer (mainly inhibiting apoptosis). Due to this, survivin has been generally proposed as a proliferation tumor marker in cancer (Whitfield *et al.*, 2006)

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003) (Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005)

(Brentani *et al.*,

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003) (Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005)

(Brentani *et al.*,

(Brentani *et al.*,


Table 2. Genes frequently reported as up-regulated in cervical cancer (CC). A) For each biological process, genes are listed in descending order by the mayor number of reports related to CC e.g. the gene MKI67 has been reported at least 190 times in CC. Genes in bold have been used as therapeutic targets in cancer, whereas genes in italics are not so known in CC. The chromosomal localization of the gene is shown in brackets. B) Techniques of highthroughput are DNA microarrays; medium- DD, RDA and ESTs; and low- are tumor markers previously defined in CC. C) Genes proposed as metastasis markers (in solid tumors), tumoral cancer markers (due to frequent mutations) and proliferation markers

(large number of cancers). D) Transcription factor (TF) that might regulate the

corresponding gene. E) The analysis of the genome refers to the most common chromosomal gains in CC (1q, 3q, 5p, 8q, 20q and Xq); transcriptome to the importance of genes in CC; proteome to overexpressed proteins in CC and; epigenome to genes whose promoter has been found methylated in samples derived from CC. For gene nomenclature see Table 1.

in embryogenesis and abnormally in cancer (mainly inhibiting apoptosis). Due to this, survivin has been generally proposed as a proliferation tumor marker in cancer (Whitfield *et al.*, 2006)



my *et al.*,

2003)

(Whitfield *et al.*,


(Whitfield

2003) - - - - - - - - - -



2003) - - - - - - - -

*et al.*, 2006)

2006)

(Bracken *et al.*, 2004)

(Ramaswa

2003) - - -


(Helliwell,

2001)

(Bracken *et* 

*al.*, 2004)




(Wilting *et al.*, 2006)

(Martin *et al.*, 2006)


(Bae *et*

(Martin *et* 

*al.*, 2006)

*al.*,

2005) -


*al.*, 2006) (Martin *et* 

*al.*, 2006)




MYBL2 (20q13.1)

*LMNB1* (5q23.3- 31)

TOP2A (17q21-22)

> MCM2 (3q21)

MCM4 (8q11.2)

KRT19 (17q21-23)

> KRT18 (12q13)

VEGF (6p21-12)

VEGFC (4q33-34)

*DNA replication* 

*Morphogenesis* 

*Angiogenesis* 

(Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Chen *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Chen *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Chen *et al.*, 2003), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), 113

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Sopov *et al.*, 2004), (Rosty *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Toussaint-Smith *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Vazquez-Ortiz *et al.*, 2005a)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Pett *et al.*, 2006)

and particularly in CC (Branca *et al.*, 2005), opening promising therapeutic strategies (Altieri, 2006). Other emergent useful target genes are the members 2 and 4 from the "minichromosome maintenance deficient" complex or *MCM* found, genes primary involved in DNA replication that have been considered useful for cancer diagnosis and therapy (Rosty et al., 2005; Santin et al., 2005). Similarly, other up-regulated genes that could be specifically targeted are the 2 topoisomerase or *TOP2A* (Whitfield *et al.*, 2006), cyclin B1 or *CCNB1* (Yuan *et al.*, 2004), the kinase 1 polo type or *PLK1* (Strebhardt & Ullrich, 2006) and keratin 19 or *KRT19* (Chang *et al.*, 2005). The transcripts of the latter gene have been abundantly estimated not only in CC-derived samples (Frigessi *et al.*, 2005), but also determined as overexpressed at both the messenger (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002; Brentani *et al.*, 2003; Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004; Wong *et al.*, 2006), and protein (Bae *et al.*, 2005) level in cervical neoplasia compared to normal tissue. As *KRT19*, a protein part of the intermediate filaments of epithelial cells, *KRT18* (Table 2) could likewise play an important role in the molecular diagnosis of cancer.

It should be noted that several genes reported in Table 2 only have been linked to CC using high and average performance techniques, such as the gene involved in the structural maintenance of chromosomes *"SMC4L1"*. As far as we known, a single report correlated the expression levels of this gene to esophageal squamous cancer (Yen *et al.*, 2005), but a genomic analysis showed that chromosomal gains in the region 3q12.1- 28 (where *SMC4L1* lies) are most common in SCC (Wilting *et al.*, 2006). This gene might be activated by E2F (Bracken *et al.*, 2004), but it is desirable to check the expression levels of SMC4L1 with lowyield techniques to determine its relevance in CC as well as for potential metastatic markers like LMNB1 or proliferation ones like MAD2L1 gene (Table 2).

#### **5.4 Down-regulated candidate tumor markers**

Using microarrays and other techniques it has been possible to find genes frequently downregulated in CC, suggesting that these may play a role as tumor markers e.g. the tumor suppressor gene *p21WAF1/CIP1* or *CDKN1A*, which regulates the cell cycle via CDKs inhibition, senescence as well as TP53-dependent and -independent apoptosis (Table 3). Upon degradation or inactivation of the nuclear phosphoprotein TP53 by E6 or PLK1, respectively, the transcription of *p21WAF1/CIP1* is reduced as observed in several types of cancer (Gartel & Radhakrishnan, 2005) and particularly in CC samples using DNA microarrays (Chang & Laimins, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2000; Nees *et al.*, 2001; Duffy *et al.*, 2003; Wells *et al.*, 2003; Thierry *et al.*, 2004; Kelley *et al.*, 2005). In addition, it has been suggested that low *p21WAF1/CIP1* expression correlates with poor prognosis in cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) (Lu *et al.*, 1998). Moreover, in samples derived from CC it has been observed a decrease in cell growth and induction of *p21WAF1/CIP1* by platinum-based chemotherapy (Gatti *et al.*, 2004) as well as radioimmunotherapy directed against KRT19 (Chang *et al.*, 2005).

Other down-regulated genes in CC include the gene desmoglein 1 or *DSG1*, which encodes a protein involved in the homeostasis of cell-cell epithelial junctions and belongs to the family of "cadherins", proteins whose expression decreases as it progresses in many kinds of cancers, such as cervical cancer (de Boer *et al.*, 1999). It has been determined that the expression of *DSG1* increases in presence of LR-HPVs episomal bodies in human keratinocytes, but its expression levels highly decrease when HR-HPV episomes are present in cell lines and SCC samples. Moreover, DSG1 importantly lies in an area that often presents chromosomal losses during CC (Table 3) and has been assigned as a pro-apoptotic factor mediated by the caspase 3 in keratinocytes (Dusek *et al.*, 2006).

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 177

(Seo *et al.*,

2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006) - - (Ramaswamy

(Brentani *et* 

represent increased expression levels upon different schemes of radio and/or chemotherapy, whereas genes in *italics* are not so known in CC. The chromosomal

Table 3. Genes frequently reported as down-regulated in cervical cancer (CC). A) For each biological process, genes are listed in descending order by the mayor number of reports related to CC e.g. the gene *CDKN1A* has been reported at least 70 times in CC. Genes in bold

localization of the gene is shown in brackets. B) Techniques of high-throughput are mainly DNA microarrays; medium- DD, and ESTs; and low- are tumor markers previously defined in CC. C) Genes proposed as metastasis markers (in solid tumors) and tumoral cancer markers (due to frequent mutations). D) Transcription factor (TF) that might regulate the corresponding gene. E) The analysis of the genome refers to the most common chromosomal alterations in CC (2q, 3p, 4p, 5p, 5q, 6p, 6q, 11q, 13q, 18q and 19q). For gene nomenclature

Another gene that could be of interest in CC is *SERPINB2*. The gene product is an inhibitor of the serine-type proteases like the plasminogen activator (also known as *PLAU*). On one hand, *SERPINB2* suppression has been determined using both microarrays as well as genomic studies in CC (Table 3); but on the other, its expression in HeLa cells can stabilize the expression levels of the Rb protein and suppress the oncoproteins E6 and E7 of HPV18 (Darnell *et al.*, 2005). This suggests that low levels of *SERPINB2* promote CC development,

Of genes not known in CC there are several examples, being the gene *TRIM22* or "tripartite motif-containing 22", which has been found down-regulated in at least 6




2005) - - - - -

*et al.*, 2003)

*al.*, 2003) - - - - -



(Forbes *et al.*, 2006)

(Forbes *et al.*, 2006)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000) -


2006)

2006)

*SPRR1A*  (1q21-22)

*INPP5D*  (2q36-37)

*IGFBP6*  (12q13)

*PPP2R5B*  (11q12)

MPG (16p13.3)

*DDB2*  (11p12-11)

*RUNX1*  (21q22.3)

> *LCN2*  (9q34)

*Signal Transduction*

*DNA* 

*DNA*

*Cellular* 

*Transport* 

see Table 1.

*Transcr*

*iption*

*Repair*

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Alazawi *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Wells *et al.*, 2003)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005), (Liu *et al.*, 2003)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005)

(Garner-Hamrick *et al.*,

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

being this a potentially good molecular marker.


(Brentani *et* 

(Brentani *et* 

(Brentani *et al.*, 2003)

(Brentani *et* 

(Contag *et al.*, 2004)

**References** 

**ThroughputB MarkerC TFD AnalysisE**




*al.*, 2003) - - - - (Wilting *et al.*,

*al.*, 2003) - - - - (Lazo, 1999)







*al.*, 2003) - - - - -


*al.*, 2000) -

2006)

2006)

2006)

2006)

2006)

*al.*, 2000) -

*High- Medium- Low- Metastasis Cancer TP53 Genome* 

**Biological Process** 

*Cell Cycle* 

*Cell Adhesion* 

*Apoptosis* 

*Immune Response* 

*Epidermal Development* 

**Gene (Locus)A**

CDKN1A (p21WAF1/CIP1) (6p21.1)

> FN1 (2q34-36)

DSG1 (18q12.1)

*CSPG2* (5q12-14)

SERPINB2 (18q21.3)

*BNIP2*  (10q26.3)

IL1RN (2q14.2)

*TRIM22*  (11p15)

KLK7 (19q13.41)

KRT4 (12p12-11)

KRT16 (17q12–21)

*LAMA3*  (18q11.2)

*SPRR3*  (1q21-22) (Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Wells *et al.*, 2003), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Toussaint-Smith *et al.*, 2004), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005), (Hudelist *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Thomas *et al.*, 2001), (Wong *et al.*, 2006)

> (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Thierry *et al.*, 2004), (Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Nees *et al.*, 2001), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Pett *et al.*, 2006), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Wong *et al.*, 2006)

> (Duffy *et al.*, 2003), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Alazawi *et al.*, 2002), (Ruutu *et al.*, 2002), (Wong *et al.*, 2006)

(Chang & Laimins, 2000), (Kelley *et al.*, 2005), (Santin *et al.*, 2005)

(Wong *et al.*, 2006), (Santin *et al.*, 2005), (Perez-Plasencia *et al.*, 2005)


Table 3. Genes frequently reported as down-regulated in cervical cancer (CC). A) For each biological process, genes are listed in descending order by the mayor number of reports related to CC e.g. the gene *CDKN1A* has been reported at least 70 times in CC. Genes in bold represent increased expression levels upon different schemes of radio and/or chemotherapy, whereas genes in *italics* are not so known in CC. The chromosomal localization of the gene is shown in brackets. B) Techniques of high-throughput are mainly DNA microarrays; medium- DD, and ESTs; and low- are tumor markers previously defined in CC. C) Genes proposed as metastasis markers (in solid tumors) and tumoral cancer markers (due to frequent mutations). D) Transcription factor (TF) that might regulate the corresponding gene. E) The analysis of the genome refers to the most common chromosomal alterations in CC (2q, 3p, 4p, 5p, 5q, 6p, 6q, 11q, 13q, 18q and 19q). For gene nomenclature see Table 1.

Another gene that could be of interest in CC is *SERPINB2*. The gene product is an inhibitor of the serine-type proteases like the plasminogen activator (also known as *PLAU*). On one hand, *SERPINB2* suppression has been determined using both microarrays as well as genomic studies in CC (Table 3); but on the other, its expression in HeLa cells can stabilize the expression levels of the Rb protein and suppress the oncoproteins E6 and E7 of HPV18 (Darnell *et al.*, 2005). This suggests that low levels of *SERPINB2* promote CC development, being this a potentially good molecular marker.

Of genes not known in CC there are several examples, being the gene *TRIM22* or "tripartite motif-containing 22", which has been found down-regulated in at least 6

A Transcriptome- and Marker-Based Systemic Analysis of Cervical Cancer 179

Furthermore, high levels of the corresponding proteins served by themselves as poor prognostic factors in patients with AC compared with SCC (Chao *et al.*, 2006). Other genes

1. *CRABP2* (belongs to the EDC and encodes the retinoic acid binding protein 2) has been identified as up-regulated in SSC compared to normal tissue (Shim *et al.*, 1998; Seo *et al.*,

2. *NDRG1* (N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene 1) is involved in cell growth and differentiation and was found overexpressed in SCC compared to AC (Chao *et al.*, 2006)

3. Other members of the "Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule" family such as the *CEACAM-1*, *-5*, *-6*, and *-7*, are shown as up-regulated in AC

4. *MSLN* or mesothelin encodes a membrane glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion whose transcripts are detectable in normal tissue but abundant in tumors of glandular origin or HeLa cells. In CC, *MSLN* is overexpressed in AC compared to SCC (Chao *et al.*, 2006) and in HPV-18-derived samples of SCC/AC compared to normal tissue (Rosty *et al.*, 2005). It is worth noting that *MSLN* is a therapeutic target in various malignancies

5. Finally, high expression levels of *FOLR1* (folate receptor) have been associated with an AC phenotype (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004) and tumorigenicity in cell lines derived from AC (Mikheev *et al.*, 2004). However, further studies are required to demonstrate the relevance of this receptor in both AC and SCC because it is known that via FOLR1 and folic acid, its ligand, some drugs can be bound and directed into over-expressing high

The aforementioned "tumoral markers" could be potentially important for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CC because these were identified using cell lines from various sources as well as samples of SCC and/or AC for comparative studies with normal tissues. Last but not least, a recent and interesting CC review not only proposed a similar systematic model of HPV infection highlighting the current debate on the viral status as hallmark of disease progression (episomal vs integrated forms where HPV-18 genome integration seems to prevail in women with advance disease in contrast to HPV-16), but also provided overlapping and additional tumor markers at some of those analyzed herein (Woodman *et al.*, 2007). Along these lines, it would be worth saying that cancer, including its hundred subtypes, is such a complex phenomenon (Vogelstein & Kinzler, 2004), which should be rather seen as an average of key molecular events displaying often specific hallmarks

Thanks to the comparison of the cervix in normal and abnormal conditions via transcriptomics in general and particularly using DNA microarrays, it is possible to identify known and unknown clinically relevant genes for the disease progression. The next goal is to identify and validate specific tumor markers for profiling histo- and pathological subtypes. This will allow not only a molecular subclassification and more understanding of CC, but also choosing the right treatment for each patient according to its gene expression signature if there is prior knowledge about the most likely response

levels of *FOLR1,* as suggested in several types of cancer (Kelemen, 2006).

for potential use as markers in CC that have been found with microarrays are:

2005) and AC (Chao *et al.*, 2006).

(Hassan *et al.*, 2004).

**6. Conclusions** 

and normal cervical tissue (Sgarlato *et al.*, 2005).

(Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000) of disease progression.

compared to SCC (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004; Chao *et al.*, 2006).

microarray studies (Table 3). *TRIM22* belongs to a conserved family of antiviral proteins, where the member 22 has been implicated in inhibiting the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV1) (Nisole *et al.*, 2005). This suggests that TRIM22 may be relevant in the immune response HR-HPVs and that these viruses may be responsible for its inhibition.

Table 3 also lists genes from the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC, located in the band 21 of the long arm of chromosome 1), for instance, using SAGE, abundant transcripts of *SPRR3* have been found in normal cervical tissue, but a low *SPRR3* expression has been determined in tumor tissue using microarrays (Table 3). This suggests that *SPRR3* and perhaps *SPRR1A,* which also belongs to the EDC, may be useful tumor markers in CC. Last, other suppressed genes in CC are *IGFBP6* and *RUNX1* (Table 3). While the first one is responsible for inactivating a potent growth factor similar to insulin (IGF2), a gene in turn required by IGFBP6 to reduce metastatic characteristics in tumors from different origin (Bach, 2005), the second gene belongs to a family of transcription factors that can inhibit angiogenesis (Sakakura *et al.*, 2005).

#### **5.5 Candidate tumor markers in cervical cancer subtypes**

Although HPV-16-infections are more frequently detected than HPV-18 ones in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the latter ones are more often associated to adenocarcinoma of the cervix (AC), whose incidence is growing at the same time as SCC incidence. Interestingly, several genes with a clinically usefulness for the molecular differentiation between the two major histological subtypes of CC have been found using DNA microarrays (Table 4). The genes *TACSTD1* and *CEACAM5,* which encode transmembrane proteins that transmit signals for development, motility and cell growth, for example, were found to be upregulated in AC compared to SCC (Chao *et al.*, 2006).


Table 4. Genes with a possible clinical utility for the molecular differentiation between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) in cervical cancer. The internationally accepted nomenclature for each gene can be found in: http://www.genenames.org/ or http://cgap.nci.nih.gov/Genes/GeneFinder.

Furthermore, high levels of the corresponding proteins served by themselves as poor prognostic factors in patients with AC compared with SCC (Chao *et al.*, 2006). Other genes for potential use as markers in CC that have been found with microarrays are:


The aforementioned "tumoral markers" could be potentially important for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CC because these were identified using cell lines from various sources as well as samples of SCC and/or AC for comparative studies with normal tissues. Last but not least, a recent and interesting CC review not only proposed a similar systematic model of HPV infection highlighting the current debate on the viral status as hallmark of disease progression (episomal vs integrated forms where HPV-18 genome integration seems to prevail in women with advance disease in contrast to HPV-16), but also provided overlapping and additional tumor markers at some of those analyzed herein (Woodman *et al.*, 2007). Along these lines, it would be worth saying that cancer, including its hundred subtypes, is such a complex phenomenon (Vogelstein & Kinzler, 2004), which should be rather seen as an average of key molecular events displaying often specific hallmarks (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000) of disease progression.

#### **6. Conclusions**

178 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

microarray studies (Table 3). *TRIM22* belongs to a conserved family of antiviral proteins, where the member 22 has been implicated in inhibiting the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV1) (Nisole *et al.*, 2005). This suggests that TRIM22 may be relevant in the immune response HR-HPVs and that these viruses may be responsible for

Table 3 also lists genes from the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC, located in the band 21 of the long arm of chromosome 1), for instance, using SAGE, abundant transcripts of *SPRR3* have been found in normal cervical tissue, but a low *SPRR3* expression has been determined in tumor tissue using microarrays (Table 3). This suggests that *SPRR3* and perhaps *SPRR1A,* which also belongs to the EDC, may be useful tumor markers in CC. Last, other suppressed genes in CC are *IGFBP6* and *RUNX1* (Table 3). While the first one is responsible for inactivating a potent growth factor similar to insulin (IGF2), a gene in turn required by IGFBP6 to reduce metastatic characteristics in tumors from different origin (Bach, 2005), the second gene belongs to a family of transcription factors that can inhibit

Although HPV-16-infections are more frequently detected than HPV-18 ones in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the latter ones are more often associated to adenocarcinoma of the cervix (AC), whose incidence is growing at the same time as SCC incidence. Interestingly, several genes with a clinically usefulness for the molecular differentiation between the two major histological subtypes of CC have been found using DNA microarrays (Table 4). The genes *TACSTD1* and *CEACAM5,* which encode transmembrane proteins that transmit signals for development, motility and cell growth, for example, were found to be

*Gene Reference Gene Reference*  CRABP2 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) BIRC3 (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004) NDRG1 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) CEACAM1 (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004) CDH13 (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004) CEACAM5-7 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) KRT13 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) FOLR1 (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004) KRT15 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) MSLN (Chao *et al.*, 2006) PTHLH (Fujimoto *et al.*, 2004) S100P (Chao *et al.*, 2006) S100A9 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) TACSTD1 (Chao *et al.*, 2006) SPRR1B (Chao *et al.*, 2006) TSPAN3 (Chao *et al.*, 2006)

Table 4. Genes with a possible clinical utility for the molecular differentiation between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) in cervical cancer. The

internationally accepted nomenclature for each gene can be found in:

http://www.genenames.org/ or http://cgap.nci.nih.gov/Genes/GeneFinder.

**carcinoma Up-regulated genes in adenocarcinoma** 

its inhibition.

angiogenesis (Sakakura *et al.*, 2005).

**5.5 Candidate tumor markers in cervical cancer subtypes** 

upregulated in AC compared to SCC (Chao *et al.*, 2006).

**Up-regulated genes in squamous cell** 

Thanks to the comparison of the cervix in normal and abnormal conditions via transcriptomics in general and particularly using DNA microarrays, it is possible to identify known and unknown clinically relevant genes for the disease progression. The next goal is to identify and validate specific tumor markers for profiling histo- and pathological subtypes. This will allow not only a molecular subclassification and more understanding of CC, but also choosing the right treatment for each patient according to its gene expression signature if there is prior knowledge about the most likely response

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The intention of this manuscript is to provide the reader a broad view of the transcriptome, an area that is developing rapidly, especially in cancer. It is worthwhile reemphasize that the transcriptome also consists of non-coding RNAs regulating the transcription of many genes and likewise acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. With such complexity, the best tackling to cancer will rely on predictive hypothesis, so it is important to take into account systems biology, which will allow us to better understand transcriptional networks and identify specific therapy targets for a tailored therapy.

Although there are improved programs for the early diagnosis of CC as well as very effective prophylactic vaccines against HR-HPVs, the high mortality rates triggered by CC will not diminish soon, not even in the medium-term after optimizing CC monitoring programs and broadly executing vaccination schemes. An alternative for CC patients is therefore to look at those tumor markers that could aid in the stratification of the disease and therapy. Unfortunately, genomics and all its derivatives are exacerbating global inequalities in terms of scientific research and health between developed and developing countries since the first cause of death of women in the former countries is breast cancer whereas in the latter ones CC kills every 2 hours, on average, a Mexican woman in productive age.

#### **7. Acknowledgments**

We thank the library at the MPI of Coal Research for financial support.

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**12** 

*Morocco* 

**Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and** 

**for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis** 

*1Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat* 

*3Laboratoire Virologie Hygiène and Microbiologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Mohammédia* 

**E-Cadherin Status as Biomarkers** 

M. El Mzibri1,\*, M. Attaleb1, R. Ameziane El Hassani1, M. Khyatti2, L. Benbacer1, M. M. Ennaji3 and M. Amrani4

*2Laboratoire d'Onco-Virologie, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca* 

*4Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Institut National d'Oncologie, Rabat* 

Worldwide, carcinoma of the uterine cervix is one of the most common malignancies among women. Incidence rates of this disease vary from about 5 cases per 100 000 women per year in many industrialized countries to more than 50 per 100 000 in some developing nations. Approximately 80% of all cases occur in less-developed countries, because prevention programs are either non-existent or poorly conducted (WHO, 2009). Furthermore, in the less developed areas of the world, cervical cancer begins to strike significantly among women as young as 25-30 years of age, clearly identifying this disease

Clinical epidemiology have clearly identified that the association between infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and high-grade cervical cancer precursors as well as cervical cancer is very strong (Wright Jr., 2006). However, even highrisk HPV infection are widespread in the world, the majority of HPV-associated lesions such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) will remain stable or spontaneously regress over time (zur Hausen, 2000; Ferenczy, 2001; Holowaty, 1999; Syrjanen, 1996), suggesting that other genetic and epigenetic events are likely to be involved in cervical carcinogenesis. Indeed, genomic alterations leading to tumor suppressor gene inactivation and/or oncogene activation are the critical pathways in the development and progression of cervical cancer as well as the other types of cancer. In this field, p53, p16 and Ecadherin are important proteins that play critical role in the development and the

**1. Introduction** 

as the cancer priority in women.

progression of cervical cancer.

Corresponding Author

 \*


## **Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis**

M. El Mzibri1,\*, M. Attaleb1, R. Ameziane El Hassani1, M. Khyatti2, L. Benbacer1, M. M. Ennaji3 and M. Amrani4 *1Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat 2Laboratoire d'Onco-Virologie, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca 3Laboratoire Virologie Hygiène and Microbiologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Mohammédia 4Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Institut National d'Oncologie, Rabat Morocco* 

#### **1. Introduction**

194 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Yuan J, Yan R, Kramer A, Eckerdt F, Roller M, Kaufmann M & Strebhardt K (2004) Cyclin B1

Zimmermann CR, Orr WC, Leclerc RF, Barnard EC & Timberlake WE (1980) Molecular

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715.

depletion inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human tumor cells.

cloning and selection of genes regulated in Aspergillus development. *Cell* 21, 709-

Worldwide, carcinoma of the uterine cervix is one of the most common malignancies among women. Incidence rates of this disease vary from about 5 cases per 100 000 women per year in many industrialized countries to more than 50 per 100 000 in some developing nations. Approximately 80% of all cases occur in less-developed countries, because prevention programs are either non-existent or poorly conducted (WHO, 2009). Furthermore, in the less developed areas of the world, cervical cancer begins to strike significantly among women as young as 25-30 years of age, clearly identifying this disease as the cancer priority in women.

Clinical epidemiology have clearly identified that the association between infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and high-grade cervical cancer precursors as well as cervical cancer is very strong (Wright Jr., 2006). However, even highrisk HPV infection are widespread in the world, the majority of HPV-associated lesions such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) will remain stable or spontaneously regress over time (zur Hausen, 2000; Ferenczy, 2001; Holowaty, 1999; Syrjanen, 1996), suggesting that other genetic and epigenetic events are likely to be involved in cervical carcinogenesis. Indeed, genomic alterations leading to tumor suppressor gene inactivation and/or oncogene activation are the critical pathways in the development and progression of cervical cancer as well as the other types of cancer. In this field, p53, p16 and Ecadherin are important proteins that play critical role in the development and the progression of cervical cancer.

<sup>\*</sup> Corresponding Author

Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin

1988).

(Filippova, 2004).

Hausen, 2009).

Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 197

E5 expression enhances oncogenic potential (Stoppler, 1996; Maufort, 2010) but the exact function of E5 remains poorly understood. E6 and E7 expression is essential for maintenance of the transformed state and malignant progression (Bosch, 1990; von Knebel Doeberitz,

The implication of E6 and E7 proteins in cervical cancer progression is mainly due through their interactions with hTERT, p53 and Retinoblastoma protein (pRB). hTERT is a catalytic subunit of Telomerase that acts to synthesise telomere ends of linear chromosomes during DNA replication. p53 is a transcription factor that regulates cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence, DNA repair and cell metabolism; p53 activity is inhibited by ubiquitin ligase which also ubiquitinates p53 to initiate p53 degradation (Figure 1). In addition to inducing the rapid degradation of p53, E6 also binds to and degrades FADD, preventing the transmission of apoptotic signals via the Fas pathway

pRB is a tumour suppressor protein and interacts with transcription factor E2F to repress the transcription of genes required for the S phase of the cell cycle (Figure 1). E7 can also bind to

Currently vaccination based strategy is an alternative method showed to be amore effective and practical approach than the implementation of regular and periodic cytological screening. Today it is very well established that intervention with vaccines permits already the statement that essential precursor lesions of this cancer are efficiently prevented (Zur

other connected proteins such as p107 and p130 (Raybould, 2011).

Fig. 1. Schematic representation of E6 and E7 activities in cervical cells

### **2. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer**

Association between HPV and cervical lesions and cancer has started in 1970s' years after the hypothesis that cervical cancer may arise from infections with the virus found in condylomata acuminata (zur Hausen, 1975; 1976). Then epidemiological and clinical studies have clearly demonstrated that HPV are the major etiologic agents of neoplasia of the cutaneous and mucosal epithelia; HPV positivity in cervical cancer is estimated to be between 90% and 95% (zur Hausen, 1991; Munoz, 2003). Currently, there is compelling evidence to indicate that the development of human cervical cancer without involvement of the specific HPV is exceptional.

Up to now, more than 200 HPV genotypes were recensed, but the interest is focused only on 30 types that are closely associated to cervical lesions. Among them, 15 HPV types have been classified as high risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82); three have been classified as probable high risk types (26, 53, and 66); and 12 have been classified as low risk types (6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81, and CP6108) (Munoz, 2003). Among the high risk HPV genotypes, HPV-16 is the most common in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (50–60%), followed by HPV-18, which is present in about 11–15% of cervical cancer cases (Munoz, 2003, Saranath, 2002).

HPV genomes code for at least six different early and two late proteins. The structure of the genome and the characteristic properties of individual viral proteins have been well reviewed (zur Hausen, 2000; Stanley, 2010; Moody & Laimins, 2010)*.* High-risk HPVs code for at least three proteins with growthstimulating and transforming properties (E5, E6, and E7).

In the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma we can identify three major factors. Two of them are related to the HPV presence, the effects of viral E6 and E7 proteins, and the consequences of HPV DNA integration in the cellular genome. The third factor is the accumulation of cellular genetic damage, not related to HPV, needed for tumour development (Lazo, 1999).

Viral DNA integrated into host genome is found in all cases of cervical carcinoma (Bosch, 1995), their metastasis and derivative cell lines (Cullen, 1991).

HPV DNA integration into host chromatin is usually a necessary event in the pathogenesis of HPV-related cervical cancer. It is one of the key stages in malignant progression and is therefore a potential biomarker that precedes invasive disease.

Many studies have demonstrated that the integrated HPV DNA is linearized between the E1 and L1 genes. Upon viral integration, variable parts of the HPV genome are disrupted; fragments containing E2 and E4 ORFs are missing whereas the entire E1, E6 and E7 ORFs are integrated and retained (Raybould, 2011).

HPV viral integration is made in such way that the viral regulatory region and the E6 and E7 genes are expressed from viral promoters, but with a different regulation, in which cellular factors might play an important role (Lazo, 1999; Raybould, 2011). In the normal HPV life-cycle expression of E5, E6 and E7 is tightly regulated within cells that are destined to be lost from surface epithelial layers, such that they do not pose a carcinogenic threat (Raybould, 2011)

Association between HPV and cervical lesions and cancer has started in 1970s' years after the hypothesis that cervical cancer may arise from infections with the virus found in condylomata acuminata (zur Hausen, 1975; 1976). Then epidemiological and clinical studies have clearly demonstrated that HPV are the major etiologic agents of neoplasia of the cutaneous and mucosal epithelia; HPV positivity in cervical cancer is estimated to be between 90% and 95% (zur Hausen, 1991; Munoz, 2003). Currently, there is compelling evidence to indicate that the development of human cervical cancer without involvement of

Up to now, more than 200 HPV genotypes were recensed, but the interest is focused only on 30 types that are closely associated to cervical lesions. Among them, 15 HPV types have been classified as high risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82); three have been classified as probable high risk types (26, 53, and 66); and 12 have been classified as low risk types (6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81, and CP6108) (Munoz, 2003). Among the high risk HPV genotypes, HPV-16 is the most common in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (50–60%), followed by HPV-18, which is present in about 11–15% of

HPV genomes code for at least six different early and two late proteins. The structure of the genome and the characteristic properties of individual viral proteins have been well reviewed (zur Hausen, 2000; Stanley, 2010; Moody & Laimins, 2010)*.* High-risk HPVs code for at least three proteins with growthstimulating and transforming properties (E5, E6, and

In the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma we can identify three major factors. Two of them are related to the HPV presence, the effects of viral E6 and E7 proteins, and the consequences of HPV DNA integration in the cellular genome. The third factor is the accumulation of cellular genetic damage, not related to HPV, needed for tumour

Viral DNA integrated into host genome is found in all cases of cervical carcinoma (Bosch,

HPV DNA integration into host chromatin is usually a necessary event in the pathogenesis of HPV-related cervical cancer. It is one of the key stages in malignant progression and is

Many studies have demonstrated that the integrated HPV DNA is linearized between the E1 and L1 genes. Upon viral integration, variable parts of the HPV genome are disrupted; fragments containing E2 and E4 ORFs are missing whereas the entire E1, E6 and E7 ORFs

HPV viral integration is made in such way that the viral regulatory region and the E6 and E7 genes are expressed from viral promoters, but with a different regulation, in which cellular factors might play an important role (Lazo, 1999; Raybould, 2011). In the normal HPV life-cycle expression of E5, E6 and E7 is tightly regulated within cells that are destined to be lost from surface epithelial layers, such that they do not pose a carcinogenic threat

**2. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer** 

cervical cancer cases (Munoz, 2003, Saranath, 2002).

1995), their metastasis and derivative cell lines (Cullen, 1991).

therefore a potential biomarker that precedes invasive disease.

are integrated and retained (Raybould, 2011).

the specific HPV is exceptional.

development (Lazo, 1999).

(Raybould, 2011)

E7).

E5 expression enhances oncogenic potential (Stoppler, 1996; Maufort, 2010) but the exact function of E5 remains poorly understood. E6 and E7 expression is essential for maintenance of the transformed state and malignant progression (Bosch, 1990; von Knebel Doeberitz, 1988).

The implication of E6 and E7 proteins in cervical cancer progression is mainly due through their interactions with hTERT, p53 and Retinoblastoma protein (pRB). hTERT is a catalytic subunit of Telomerase that acts to synthesise telomere ends of linear chromosomes during DNA replication. p53 is a transcription factor that regulates cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence, DNA repair and cell metabolism; p53 activity is inhibited by ubiquitin ligase which also ubiquitinates p53 to initiate p53 degradation (Figure 1). In addition to inducing the rapid degradation of p53, E6 also binds to and degrades FADD, preventing the transmission of apoptotic signals via the Fas pathway (Filippova, 2004).

pRB is a tumour suppressor protein and interacts with transcription factor E2F to repress the transcription of genes required for the S phase of the cell cycle (Figure 1). E7 can also bind to other connected proteins such as p107 and p130 (Raybould, 2011).

Currently vaccination based strategy is an alternative method showed to be amore effective and practical approach than the implementation of regular and periodic cytological screening. Today it is very well established that intervention with vaccines permits already the statement that essential precursor lesions of this cancer are efficiently prevented (Zur Hausen, 2009).

Fig. 1. Schematic representation of E6 and E7 activities in cervical cells

Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin

in Figure 3.

still unclear.

therapy.

Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 199

Several polymorphisms have been identified within the p53 gene, both in non-coding and coding regions and may represent an important contribution to cancer susceptibility and tumour behaviour (Costa, 2008). The common polymorphism is known at codon 72, with two alleles encoding either arginine (p53 Arg) or proline (p53 Pro) (Matlashewski, 1987). The genotype of p53 gene at codon 72 is detected by PCR with allele specific primers "ASP" that especially detects either the p53Pro or p53Arg allele. DNA is amplified in separate reactions with p53 Pro and p53 Arg primers. Example of resulting amplifications is reported

M p53 Arg/Arg p53 Arg/Pro p53 Pro/Pro

cancers (Storey*,* 1998; Hamel*,* 2000; Tandle*,* 2001).

Fig. 3. Analysis of p53 codon 72 polymorphism by PCR using allele specific primers Arg allele specific primers: 141 bp and Pro allele specific primers: 177 bp. M: 100 bp ladder. The Pro/Pro, Pro/Arg, and Arg/Arg frequencies have been reported in human cancers including lung, colorectal, breast, stomach, bladder, head and neck and oral, for their association with predisposition and subsequent increased susceptibility to the cancer. These studies have shown that the presence of Arg/Arg genotype has been associated with increased susceptibility to cervical cancer and Pro/Pro genotype is more frequent in lung

**177bp 141bp** 

This polymorphism occurs in the proline-rich domain of the p53 protein, which is necessary for the protein to fully induce apoptosis (Zhu*,* 2007). The functional difference between the 2 alleles of this polymorphism is that the Arg/Arg genotype induces apoptosis with faster kinetics and suppresses transformation more efficiently than the Pro/Pro genotype (Kuroda, 2007). In cervical cancer, different studies have investigated the effect of the codon 72 polymorphism of p53 on the susceptibility to E6-mediated degradation. They reported that individuals homozygous for p53 Arg are more susceptible to HPV-associated carcinogenesis of the cervix than heterozygotes (Storey*,* 1998). However the relationship between the p53 polymorphism and susceptibility of HPV infection as well as cervical cancer development is

Storey *et al.* (1998) showed that the codon 72 arginine variant of *p53* encodes a protein that is more sensitive to HPV16 and HPV18 degradation than the proline variant. The biological and biochemical differences between the two p53 genotypes at codon 72 were demonstrated by a study showing that the arginine form of the protein was much more susceptible to HPV E6 mediated degradation than the proline form (Mitra, 2005; Oliveira, 2008). Moreover, Thomas *et al.* (1999), presented evidence that, *in vitro*, the p53 arginine variant induces apoptosis with faster kinetics and suppresses transformation more efficiently than the p53 proline variant. These observations may have implications for the development of cancer in subjects harbouring p53 modified sequences and for the responsiveness of tumours to

### **3. p53 expression and polymorphism in cervical cancer**

The human tumour suppressor gene p53 plays a key role in the cell's response to genotoxic stress and loss of this 'guardian of the genome' is an important step in carcinogenesis. The highly significant tumour suppressor gene, p53, is implicated in a wide range of human cancers, and is a multifunctional protein that plays critical roles in cellular responses to DNA damage, cellular senescence and apoptosis to maintain genomic stability of a cell (Kashima, 2007). p53 encodes a transcription factor at the centre of a network that maintains cellular integrity by the inhibition of cell growth and stimulation of apoptosis in response to cellular stresses such as DNA damage (Scheffner, 1990).

Because mutation of the p53 gene is a relatively rare event in cervical cancer, p53 activity is mainly inhibited by the viral oncoprotein E6. It's clearly identified that abrogation of p53 function by the E6 protein of HPV is thought to be one of the major events in cervical carcinogenesis (Soussi, 2001). The viral E6 protein interacts with protein p53 and inhibits its activity, followed by proteolytic degradation through the ubiquitin pathway (Scheffner, 1990; Werness, 1990).

As shown if Figure 2, expression of p53 on cervical cancer biopsies showed that the p53 immunoreactivity is detected especially in nuclei. The expression is greater in the peripheral cells of tumours.

Fig. 2. Representative p53 immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma

Different studies showed that p53 expression did not correlate with tumour recurrence demonstrating that immunohistochemistry for p53 protein appears to provide no prognostic information for all patients with cervical cancer (Abd El All, 1999; Vasilescu, 2009; Abrahao, 2011). However, it still remains a prognostic factor for the aggressive behavior of the tumour, when it exceeds more than 30% positivity in tumour cells nuclei (Vasilescu, 2009). Many studies, using different p53 monoclonal antibodies, have reported the lack of any association between p53 IHC expression and staging (Abd El All, 1999). Indeed, in HPV positive cervical carcinoma, the wild type p53 complex with E6 of HPV 16 or 18, is degraded and cannot be detected by IHC. In other cancers, Overexpression of p53 in tissues has generally been assumed to reflect accumulation of p53 mutations.

The human tumour suppressor gene p53 plays a key role in the cell's response to genotoxic stress and loss of this 'guardian of the genome' is an important step in carcinogenesis. The highly significant tumour suppressor gene, p53, is implicated in a wide range of human cancers, and is a multifunctional protein that plays critical roles in cellular responses to DNA damage, cellular senescence and apoptosis to maintain genomic stability of a cell (Kashima, 2007). p53 encodes a transcription factor at the centre of a network that maintains cellular integrity by the inhibition of cell growth and stimulation of apoptosis in response to

Because mutation of the p53 gene is a relatively rare event in cervical cancer, p53 activity is mainly inhibited by the viral oncoprotein E6. It's clearly identified that abrogation of p53 function by the E6 protein of HPV is thought to be one of the major events in cervical carcinogenesis (Soussi, 2001). The viral E6 protein interacts with protein p53 and inhibits its activity, followed by proteolytic degradation through the ubiquitin pathway (Scheffner,

As shown if Figure 2, expression of p53 on cervical cancer biopsies showed that the p53 immunoreactivity is detected especially in nuclei. The expression is greater in the peripheral

Fig. 2. Representative p53 immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma

generally been assumed to reflect accumulation of p53 mutations.

Different studies showed that p53 expression did not correlate with tumour recurrence demonstrating that immunohistochemistry for p53 protein appears to provide no prognostic information for all patients with cervical cancer (Abd El All, 1999; Vasilescu, 2009; Abrahao, 2011). However, it still remains a prognostic factor for the aggressive behavior of the tumour, when it exceeds more than 30% positivity in tumour cells nuclei (Vasilescu, 2009). Many studies, using different p53 monoclonal antibodies, have reported the lack of any association between p53 IHC expression and staging (Abd El All, 1999). Indeed, in HPV positive cervical carcinoma, the wild type p53 complex with E6 of HPV 16 or 18, is degraded and cannot be detected by IHC. In other cancers, Overexpression of p53 in tissues has

**3. p53 expression and polymorphism in cervical cancer** 

cellular stresses such as DNA damage (Scheffner, 1990).

1990; Werness, 1990).

cells of tumours.

Several polymorphisms have been identified within the p53 gene, both in non-coding and coding regions and may represent an important contribution to cancer susceptibility and tumour behaviour (Costa, 2008). The common polymorphism is known at codon 72, with two alleles encoding either arginine (p53 Arg) or proline (p53 Pro) (Matlashewski, 1987). The genotype of p53 gene at codon 72 is detected by PCR with allele specific primers "ASP" that especially detects either the p53Pro or p53Arg allele. DNA is amplified in separate reactions with p53 Pro and p53 Arg primers. Example of resulting amplifications is reported in Figure 3.

Fig. 3. Analysis of p53 codon 72 polymorphism by PCR using allele specific primers Arg allele specific primers: 141 bp and Pro allele specific primers: 177 bp. M: 100 bp ladder.

The Pro/Pro, Pro/Arg, and Arg/Arg frequencies have been reported in human cancers including lung, colorectal, breast, stomach, bladder, head and neck and oral, for their association with predisposition and subsequent increased susceptibility to the cancer. These studies have shown that the presence of Arg/Arg genotype has been associated with increased susceptibility to cervical cancer and Pro/Pro genotype is more frequent in lung cancers (Storey*,* 1998; Hamel*,* 2000; Tandle*,* 2001).

This polymorphism occurs in the proline-rich domain of the p53 protein, which is necessary for the protein to fully induce apoptosis (Zhu*,* 2007). The functional difference between the 2 alleles of this polymorphism is that the Arg/Arg genotype induces apoptosis with faster kinetics and suppresses transformation more efficiently than the Pro/Pro genotype (Kuroda, 2007). In cervical cancer, different studies have investigated the effect of the codon 72 polymorphism of p53 on the susceptibility to E6-mediated degradation. They reported that individuals homozygous for p53 Arg are more susceptible to HPV-associated carcinogenesis of the cervix than heterozygotes (Storey*,* 1998). However the relationship between the p53 polymorphism and susceptibility of HPV infection as well as cervical cancer development is still unclear.

Storey *et al.* (1998) showed that the codon 72 arginine variant of *p53* encodes a protein that is more sensitive to HPV16 and HPV18 degradation than the proline variant. The biological and biochemical differences between the two p53 genotypes at codon 72 were demonstrated by a study showing that the arginine form of the protein was much more susceptible to HPV E6 mediated degradation than the proline form (Mitra, 2005; Oliveira, 2008). Moreover, Thomas *et al.* (1999), presented evidence that, *in vitro*, the p53 arginine variant induces apoptosis with faster kinetics and suppresses transformation more efficiently than the p53 proline variant. These observations may have implications for the development of cancer in subjects harbouring p53 modified sequences and for the responsiveness of tumours to therapy.

Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin

cellular signalling and metabolism (Anita Szalmás, 2009).

expression and facilitates HPV replication (Longworth, 2005).

carcinogenetic stages (Wong, 1999; Gustafson, 2004).

cervical cancer (Kitkumthorn, 2006).

invasive cervical cancers (Kang S 2006).

**5. Study of gene promoter methylation** 

2002).

features (Lind, 2004).

Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 201

Inactivation of tumour suppressor genes by promoter hypermethylation has been recognized to be at least as common as gene disruption by mutation in tumorigenesis (Jones,

Multiple genes are hypermethylated in primary carcinomas as well as in carcinoma cell line and the methylation profile has strong associations with genetic and clinicopathological

HPV regulates the methylation status of genes involved in the cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, DNA repair, cell adhesion and migration, development and differentiation,

The HPV oncoprotein E7 control cellular proliferation pathways through epigenetic mechanisms. Recently, it has been shown that E7 bind directly to the DNMT1 and activate its DNA methyltransferase activity. This direct association may lead to aberrant methylation of the genome followed by cellular transformation as a result of tumour suppressor gene silencing (Burgers, 2007). E7 can induce viral replication also through epigenetic changes. E7 inhibits HDAC (histone deacetylase) binding to the E2F promoter resulting in activation of

HPV can epigenetically regulate cell cycle via down regulation of p16INK4A, an inhibitor of cyclin dependent phosphorylation and inactivation of Rb (retinoblastoma) tumour suppressor protein. The occurrence of p16INK4A promoter hypermethylation is very low in low grade of cervical cancer and it increases moderately with the severity of the

Cyclin A1 (CCNA1) is involved in cell cycle regulation and in repair of DNA doublestrand breaks. Kitkumthorn *et al*. (2006) have evaluated the epigenetic status of cyclin A1 in HPVassociated cervical cancer. The authors demonstrated that cyclin A1 methylation is common in cervical cancer and is specific to the invasive phenotype indicating that hypermethylation of promoter of cyclin A1 is a potential tumour marker for early diagnosis of invasive

E-cadherin is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates interactions between adjacent epithelial cells. Hypermethylation of CpG islands in E-cadherin promoter regions is associated with suppressed transcriptional activity and it is particularly found in various in

For gene-specific methylation analysis, a large number of techniques have been developed. Most early studies used methylation sensitive restriction enzymes to digest DNA followed by Southern detection or PCR amplification. Recently, bisulfite reaction based methods have become very popular. In these techniques, analysis of DNA methylation is based on bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA, which converts cytosine to uracil, but methylated cytosines remain unaltered in this process. Several techniques have been applied to analyse bisulfitemodified DNA, with variation in sensitivity, amount of DNA needed. However, PCR based techniques are the fast, simple and reliable methods to assess the methylation status of DNA. After PCR amplification, uracil will be converted to thymidine, which will be determined by direct PCR sequencing (bisulfite sequencing) or methylation specific PCR

The case-control study conducted in 113 cancerous lesions and 100 healthy women from Morocco highlighted the absence of any association between p53 polymorphism at codon 72 and cervical cancer development (Meftah El Khair, 2009). However reported data on the prevalence of p53 polymorphism in cervical cancer patients are controversial and the ethnic group characteristics seem to be an important reason for discrepancies in the frequency of this polymorphism (Brenna, 2004; Wang, 1999; Wu, 2004; Pegoraro, 2002; Klug, 2001; Szarka, 2000; Agorastos, 2000; Hildesheim, 1998; Bhattacharya, 2002). Moreover, other potential confounding factors should be also considered including the sample size, the source of DNA and the detection techniques used. Another important reason for these discrepant results could be misclassification of the p53 polymorphism, due to inter-laboratory variations in protocols, affecting the ability to detect p53 polymorphisms (Brenna, 2004; Govan*,* 2007; Sousa, 2007).

#### **4. Epigenetic alteration and cervical cancer**

Cancer is a multi-factor process. Molecular analysis of tumours reveals genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Genetic mutations, which alter DNA sequence, lead to constitute activation of some oncogenes (as RAS and RAF genes) and inhibition of some tumour suppressors (as p53 gene). Epigenetic mutations (epimutations) lead often to gene silencing without altering the DNA sequence. Alteration in expression of key genes through aberrant epigenetic regulation can lead to initiation, promotion and maintenance of carcinogenesis, and is even implicated in the generation of drug resistance. The significance of epigenetic alterations is used as predictive biomarkers and as new targets of anticancer therapy.

Genetic information may not be the only relevant source of information in order to understand the molecular basis of disease. Epigenetic information may hold the key to a better understanding of various pathological conditions (Chahwan, 2011).

Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for normal development and maintenance of tissuespecific gene expression patterns in mammals. These include embryonic development, transcription, chromatin structure, X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, and chromosome stability (Watanabe, 2010). Epigenetic dysregulation, which may be passed from one generation to the next, are believed to be implicated in the promotion of tumorigenesis in cancers through the downregulation of tumour repressor genes (Hidemi, 2011). Epigenetic aberrations, often observed in tumours, include changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications that influence the chromatin states and impact gene expression patterns. Methylation of cytosine bases in DNA is the main epigenetic event and is involved in most cellular physiopathological processes (Watanabe, 2010).

The CpG islands, where Cytosine and Guanine are connected by a phosphodiester bond, are shorts stretches of DNA in which the frequency of the CG sequence is higher than other regions. CpG islands are mostly located in the upstream promoter and exon 1 region of over half of human genes (Lo, 2008). In mammals, the methylation process is achieved by the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), that catalyses the transfer of the methyl group from Sadenosyl L-methionine (SAM) to the cytosine in 5'-CG-3' sequence.

In cancer, abnormal hypermethylation of gene promoter CpG islands induces transcriptional silencing of tumour suppressor genes (Lo, 2008) and is by far the bestcategorised epigenetic change.

The case-control study conducted in 113 cancerous lesions and 100 healthy women from Morocco highlighted the absence of any association between p53 polymorphism at codon 72 and cervical cancer development (Meftah El Khair, 2009). However reported data on the prevalence of p53 polymorphism in cervical cancer patients are controversial and the ethnic group characteristics seem to be an important reason for discrepancies in the frequency of this polymorphism (Brenna, 2004; Wang, 1999; Wu, 2004; Pegoraro, 2002; Klug, 2001; Szarka, 2000; Agorastos, 2000; Hildesheim, 1998; Bhattacharya, 2002). Moreover, other potential confounding factors should be also considered including the sample size, the source of DNA and the detection techniques used. Another important reason for these discrepant results could be misclassification of the p53 polymorphism, due to inter-laboratory variations in protocols, affecting the ability to detect p53 polymorphisms (Brenna, 2004; Govan*,* 2007;

Cancer is a multi-factor process. Molecular analysis of tumours reveals genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Genetic mutations, which alter DNA sequence, lead to constitute activation of some oncogenes (as RAS and RAF genes) and inhibition of some tumour suppressors (as p53 gene). Epigenetic mutations (epimutations) lead often to gene silencing without altering the DNA sequence. Alteration in expression of key genes through aberrant epigenetic regulation can lead to initiation, promotion and maintenance of carcinogenesis, and is even implicated in the generation of drug resistance. The significance of epigenetic

alterations is used as predictive biomarkers and as new targets of anticancer therapy.

better understanding of various pathological conditions (Chahwan, 2011).

is involved in most cellular physiopathological processes (Watanabe, 2010).

adenosyl L-methionine (SAM) to the cytosine in 5'-CG-3' sequence.

categorised epigenetic change.

Genetic information may not be the only relevant source of information in order to understand the molecular basis of disease. Epigenetic information may hold the key to a

Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for normal development and maintenance of tissuespecific gene expression patterns in mammals. These include embryonic development, transcription, chromatin structure, X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, and chromosome stability (Watanabe, 2010). Epigenetic dysregulation, which may be passed from one generation to the next, are believed to be implicated in the promotion of tumorigenesis in cancers through the downregulation of tumour repressor genes (Hidemi, 2011). Epigenetic aberrations, often observed in tumours, include changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications that influence the chromatin states and impact gene expression patterns. Methylation of cytosine bases in DNA is the main epigenetic event and

The CpG islands, where Cytosine and Guanine are connected by a phosphodiester bond, are shorts stretches of DNA in which the frequency of the CG sequence is higher than other regions. CpG islands are mostly located in the upstream promoter and exon 1 region of over half of human genes (Lo, 2008). In mammals, the methylation process is achieved by the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), that catalyses the transfer of the methyl group from S-

In cancer, abnormal hypermethylation of gene promoter CpG islands induces transcriptional silencing of tumour suppressor genes (Lo, 2008) and is by far the best-

Sousa, 2007).

**4. Epigenetic alteration and cervical cancer** 

Inactivation of tumour suppressor genes by promoter hypermethylation has been recognized to be at least as common as gene disruption by mutation in tumorigenesis (Jones, 2002).

Multiple genes are hypermethylated in primary carcinomas as well as in carcinoma cell line and the methylation profile has strong associations with genetic and clinicopathological features (Lind, 2004).

HPV regulates the methylation status of genes involved in the cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, DNA repair, cell adhesion and migration, development and differentiation, cellular signalling and metabolism (Anita Szalmás, 2009).

The HPV oncoprotein E7 control cellular proliferation pathways through epigenetic mechanisms. Recently, it has been shown that E7 bind directly to the DNMT1 and activate its DNA methyltransferase activity. This direct association may lead to aberrant methylation of the genome followed by cellular transformation as a result of tumour suppressor gene silencing (Burgers, 2007). E7 can induce viral replication also through epigenetic changes. E7 inhibits HDAC (histone deacetylase) binding to the E2F promoter resulting in activation of expression and facilitates HPV replication (Longworth, 2005).

HPV can epigenetically regulate cell cycle via down regulation of p16INK4A, an inhibitor of cyclin dependent phosphorylation and inactivation of Rb (retinoblastoma) tumour suppressor protein. The occurrence of p16INK4A promoter hypermethylation is very low in low grade of cervical cancer and it increases moderately with the severity of the carcinogenetic stages (Wong, 1999; Gustafson, 2004).

Cyclin A1 (CCNA1) is involved in cell cycle regulation and in repair of DNA doublestrand breaks. Kitkumthorn *et al*. (2006) have evaluated the epigenetic status of cyclin A1 in HPVassociated cervical cancer. The authors demonstrated that cyclin A1 methylation is common in cervical cancer and is specific to the invasive phenotype indicating that hypermethylation of promoter of cyclin A1 is a potential tumour marker for early diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer (Kitkumthorn, 2006).

E-cadherin is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates interactions between adjacent epithelial cells. Hypermethylation of CpG islands in E-cadherin promoter regions is associated with suppressed transcriptional activity and it is particularly found in various in invasive cervical cancers (Kang S 2006).

### **5. Study of gene promoter methylation**

For gene-specific methylation analysis, a large number of techniques have been developed. Most early studies used methylation sensitive restriction enzymes to digest DNA followed by Southern detection or PCR amplification. Recently, bisulfite reaction based methods have become very popular. In these techniques, analysis of DNA methylation is based on bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA, which converts cytosine to uracil, but methylated cytosines remain unaltered in this process. Several techniques have been applied to analyse bisulfitemodified DNA, with variation in sensitivity, amount of DNA needed. However, PCR based techniques are the fast, simple and reliable methods to assess the methylation status of DNA. After PCR amplification, uracil will be converted to thymidine, which will be determined by direct PCR sequencing (bisulfite sequencing) or methylation specific PCR

Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin

Hamdani, 2010).

(Intense Nuclear staining of p16INK4a)

(Ivanova, 2007).

carcinomas and cervical cancer cell lines.

used in cervical neoplasia diagnosis (Klaes, 2001).

Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 203

existence of the regulatory feedback in the pRb/p16 pathway leads to an overexpression of p16INK4a in cervical tumours (Ivanova, 2007). Klaes *el al.* (2001) have shown that overexpression of p16INK4a is a specific marker for dysplastic and neoplastic epithelial cells in the cervix. They have clearly demonstrated that use of p16INK4a immunostaining allows precise identification of cervical lesions and significantly reduce false-negative and -positive interpretation in cervical cancer screening. For theses reasons, p16INK4a expression is usually

Many studies have analyzed the presence of p16INK4a in cervical neoplasia and have found a relationship between p16INK4a expression and cervical neoplasia; raising hope that p16INK4a could represent a specific and sensitive marker for cervical neoplasia (Klaes, 2001; Milde-Langosch, 2001; Riethdorf, 2004). A representative p16INK4a immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma is given in Figure 5. It is generally believed that p16INK4a functions as Cdk-inhibitor in the nucleus. Klaes *et al.* have showed that 58 of 60 invasive cervical carcinomas expressed p16INK4a both in nuclei and cytoplasm (Klaes, 2001). Theses findings were corroborated with published data from Moroccan cases. Indeed, p16INK4a staining by IHC in 53 cervical cancer biopsies from Morocco showed that 92.4% had high level of p16INK4a expression with a predominance of both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining (El

Fig. 5. Representative p16 immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma sample

On the other hand, Ivanova *et al.* (2007) have clearly demonstrated that in normal cells p16INK4a localizes mainly in nuclei, the loss of p16INK4a nuclear staining in favour of cytoplasmic staining have been observed earlier in different tumours including cervical

Loss of p16INK4a protein expression, leading to overcome cell cycle arrest at senescence and immortalization, could be studied by evaluating the methylation status of its promoter

Indeed, hypermethylation of the promoter region of a tumour suppressor gene has been increasingly recognized as an alternative mechanism for inactivation of function of a tumour

(MSP-PCR) (Figure 4). In bisulfite sequencing, primers are designed not to contain any CpGs to avoid discrimination against methylated or unmethylated DNA. In MSP-PCR, two pairs of primers are designed, one of which is specific for methylated DNA (M) and the other for unmethylated DNA (U).

After pyrosequencing or MSP-PCR, amplified fragments are usually cloned to determine the degree of methylation (Herman, 1996).

Additionally, in order to identify unknown methylation hot-spots or methylated CpG islands in the genome, several of genome-wide screen methods have been invented such as Restriction Landmark Genomic Scanning for Methylation (RLGS-M), and CpG island microarray.

Fig. 4. Schematic representation of bisulfite based modifications

#### **6. p16INK4a expression in cervical cancer**

The cellular tumour suppressor protein p16 has a central function in the regulation of cell cycle activation. The p16INK4a, the product of *CDKN2A* gene is a negative regulatory protein that regulates the progression of eukaryotic cells through the G1 phase of the cell cycle (Serrano, 1997). p16INK4a is a component of p16INK4a-Cdk4-6/CyclinD-pRb signalling pathway and is perturbed in many cancers. In these tumours, the functions of p16INK4a may be lost due to mutations or suppression of its transcription by promoter methylation (Gonzalgo, 1998). In high risk-HPV positive cervical cancer, the oncogene E7 disrupts pRb/E2F interaction, releases active E2F and induces the pRb degradation (Liuet, 2006). The

(MSP-PCR) (Figure 4). In bisulfite sequencing, primers are designed not to contain any CpGs to avoid discrimination against methylated or unmethylated DNA. In MSP-PCR, two pairs of primers are designed, one of which is specific for methylated DNA (M) and the

After pyrosequencing or MSP-PCR, amplified fragments are usually cloned to determine the

Additionally, in order to identify unknown methylation hot-spots or methylated CpG islands in the genome, several of genome-wide screen methods have been invented such as Restriction Landmark Genomic Scanning for Methylation (RLGS-M), and CpG island

other for unmethylated DNA (U).

microarray.

degree of methylation (Herman, 1996).

Fig. 4. Schematic representation of bisulfite based modifications

The cellular tumour suppressor protein p16 has a central function in the regulation of cell cycle activation. The p16INK4a, the product of *CDKN2A* gene is a negative regulatory protein that regulates the progression of eukaryotic cells through the G1 phase of the cell cycle (Serrano, 1997). p16INK4a is a component of p16INK4a-Cdk4-6/CyclinD-pRb signalling pathway and is perturbed in many cancers. In these tumours, the functions of p16INK4a may be lost due to mutations or suppression of its transcription by promoter methylation (Gonzalgo, 1998). In high risk-HPV positive cervical cancer, the oncogene E7 disrupts pRb/E2F interaction, releases active E2F and induces the pRb degradation (Liuet, 2006). The

**6. p16INK4a expression in cervical cancer** 

existence of the regulatory feedback in the pRb/p16 pathway leads to an overexpression of p16INK4a in cervical tumours (Ivanova, 2007). Klaes *el al.* (2001) have shown that overexpression of p16INK4a is a specific marker for dysplastic and neoplastic epithelial cells in the cervix. They have clearly demonstrated that use of p16INK4a immunostaining allows precise identification of cervical lesions and significantly reduce false-negative and -positive interpretation in cervical cancer screening. For theses reasons, p16INK4a expression is usually used in cervical neoplasia diagnosis (Klaes, 2001).

Many studies have analyzed the presence of p16INK4a in cervical neoplasia and have found a relationship between p16INK4a expression and cervical neoplasia; raising hope that p16INK4a could represent a specific and sensitive marker for cervical neoplasia (Klaes, 2001; Milde-Langosch, 2001; Riethdorf, 2004). A representative p16INK4a immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma is given in Figure 5. It is generally believed that p16INK4a functions as Cdk-inhibitor in the nucleus. Klaes *et al.* have showed that 58 of 60 invasive cervical carcinomas expressed p16INK4a both in nuclei and cytoplasm (Klaes, 2001). Theses findings were corroborated with published data from Moroccan cases. Indeed, p16INK4a staining by IHC in 53 cervical cancer biopsies from Morocco showed that 92.4% had high level of p16INK4a expression with a predominance of both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining (El Hamdani, 2010).

(Intense Nuclear staining of p16INK4a)

Fig. 5. Representative p16 immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma sample

On the other hand, Ivanova *et al.* (2007) have clearly demonstrated that in normal cells p16INK4a localizes mainly in nuclei, the loss of p16INK4a nuclear staining in favour of cytoplasmic staining have been observed earlier in different tumours including cervical carcinomas and cervical cancer cell lines.

Loss of p16INK4a protein expression, leading to overcome cell cycle arrest at senescence and immortalization, could be studied by evaluating the methylation status of its promoter (Ivanova, 2007).

Indeed, hypermethylation of the promoter region of a tumour suppressor gene has been increasingly recognized as an alternative mechanism for inactivation of function of a tumour

Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin

in Figure 7.

sample

cytoplasmic delocalization (Widschwendter, 2004; Oki, 2007).

due to gene silencing by methylation processes (Nehls, 2008).

been described in metastasis, but not primary tumours (Carico, 2001).

Moderate membranous staining of E-cadherin

Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 205

Based on its biological functions, E-cadherin is regarded as an invasion and metastasis suppressor. Loss of E-cadherin expression or function correlates with increased invasiveness and metastasis in carcinomas of several anatomical sites (Chen, 2003; Virmani, 2001). Ecadherin-mediated cell adhesion system is inactivated by multiple mechanisms. It may be inactivated as a result of genetic alteration, reduced gene expression, changes of other cadherin–catenin complexes or posttranslational modification of the protein leading to

The expression of E-cadherin is impaired as squamous intraepithelial lesions progress to squamous cervical carcinoma (Laird, 2003). In cervical cancer, the presence and localisation of cytoplasmic E-cadherin were significantly correlated with CIN grade. In invasive types, the expression of E-cadherin was significantly reduced (Hirohashi, 1998) and this is mainly

E-cadherin expression, as well as p16INK4a expression, is usually used in cervical neoplasia diagnosis. In squamous cervical epithelium, E-cadherin is predominantly found at the cellto-cell borders in the basal and parabasal cell layers (Laird, 2003). However, E-cadherin expression is reduced during tumour progression and metastasis, and associated with poor prognosis in a variety of cancers (Karayiannakis, 1998; Sulzer, 1998; Zheng, 1999). A representative E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma is given

Reported data showed that E-cadherin is moderately expressed in about 85% of informative cases with a main localisation at the cell membrane and cytoplasm (El Hamdani, 2010). Decrease or loss of E-cadherin expression is a common feature of many human epithelial cancers, including cervical cancer, although a decreased expression of this molecule has

Fig. 7. Representative E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma

suppressor gene. In this topic, hypermethylation of the *p16* gene has been suggested to be a shared epigenetic alteration in multiple human cancers, including cervical cancer (Esteller, 2001).

An example of MSP analysis of the promoter regions of p16INK4a after bisulfite treatment is given if Figure 6. Using MSP and/or bisulfite sequencing, hypermethylation of p16INK4a gene was observed in 19 to 61% of invasive cervical carcinoma (Ivanova, 2007, Nehls, 2008; Attaleb, 2009). However, hypermthylation of p16INK4a promoter region is absent in DNA specimens from normal cervical swabs as well as cervical cell lines such as SiHa, HeLa, C33A and Caski (Attaleb, 2009).

Moreover, the increased risk for disease progression was independent from clinical and pathological factors, suggesting that p16INK4a gene promoter methylation is an early event in cervical cancer development.

Moreover, in HPV induced cervical cancer, the cell cycle activation is not mediated by Cdks but by E7-related Rb disruption. The p16 inactivation would not confer any further growth promoting effect, because in this cancer the HR-HPV oncogene E7 induces a permanent release of E2F from its binding to pRb, leading to continuous cell cycle activation (Nehls, 2008).

Thus, hypermethylation of p16INK4a promoter gene may be a result of genetic and epigenetic events produced during the carcinogenesis steps of cervical cancer development, and when occurs, it did not affect the regulation of p16INK4a expression. Moreover, the high p16INK4a immunoreactivity with partial promoter hypermethylation needs to be further investigated.

Fig. 6. MSP analysis of the promoter regions of p16INK4a

The presence of a visible PCR product in lane U indicates the presence of unmethylated genes; the presence of a PCR product in lane M indicates the presence of methylated genes. Normal lymphocytes DNA (T) was used as a negative control for methylation. Cases 1 and 3 were methylated at p16INK4a. M: 100 bp ladder.

#### **7. Expression of E-cadherin in cervical cancer**

Cadherins are a family of cell–cell adhesion molecules which can modulate epithelial phenotype and morphogenesis in a variety of tissues. E-cadherin is the major cadherin expressed on the surface of normal epithelial cells and plays a pivotal role in maintenance of normal adhesion in epithelial cells but has also been shown to suppress tumour invasion and participate in cell signalling (Chen, 2003; Virmani, 2001; Ziober, 2001). Cell adhesion is mediated through Ca2+-dependent homotypic binding. This transmembrane glycoprotein is encoded by *CDH1* gene.

suppressor gene. In this topic, hypermethylation of the *p16* gene has been suggested to be a shared epigenetic alteration in multiple human cancers, including cervical cancer (Esteller,

An example of MSP analysis of the promoter regions of p16INK4a after bisulfite treatment is given if Figure 6. Using MSP and/or bisulfite sequencing, hypermethylation of p16INK4a gene was observed in 19 to 61% of invasive cervical carcinoma (Ivanova, 2007, Nehls, 2008; Attaleb, 2009). However, hypermthylation of p16INK4a promoter region is absent in DNA specimens from normal cervical swabs as well as cervical cell lines such as SiHa, HeLa,

Moreover, the increased risk for disease progression was independent from clinical and pathological factors, suggesting that p16INK4a gene promoter methylation is an early event in

Moreover, in HPV induced cervical cancer, the cell cycle activation is not mediated by Cdks but by E7-related Rb disruption. The p16 inactivation would not confer any further growth promoting effect, because in this cancer the HR-HPV oncogene E7 induces a permanent release of E2F from its binding to pRb, leading to continuous cell cycle activation (Nehls, 2008).

Thus, hypermethylation of p16INK4a promoter gene may be a result of genetic and epigenetic events produced during the carcinogenesis steps of cervical cancer development, and when occurs, it did not affect the regulation of p16INK4a expression. Moreover, the high p16INK4a immunoreactivity with partial promoter hypermethylation needs to be further investigated.

The presence of a visible PCR product in lane U indicates the presence of unmethylated genes; the presence of a PCR product in lane M indicates the presence of methylated genes. Normal lymphocytes DNA (T) was used as a negative control for methylation. Cases 1 and 3

**151pb 150pb**

Cadherins are a family of cell–cell adhesion molecules which can modulate epithelial phenotype and morphogenesis in a variety of tissues. E-cadherin is the major cadherin expressed on the surface of normal epithelial cells and plays a pivotal role in maintenance of normal adhesion in epithelial cells but has also been shown to suppress tumour invasion and participate in cell signalling (Chen, 2003; Virmani, 2001; Ziober, 2001). Cell adhesion is mediated through Ca2+-dependent homotypic binding. This transmembrane glycoprotein is

2001).

C33A and Caski (Attaleb, 2009).

cervical cancer development.

Fig. 6. MSP analysis of the promoter regions of p16INK4a

**7. Expression of E-cadherin in cervical cancer** 

were methylated at p16INK4a. M: 100 bp ladder.

encoded by *CDH1* gene.

Based on its biological functions, E-cadherin is regarded as an invasion and metastasis suppressor. Loss of E-cadherin expression or function correlates with increased invasiveness and metastasis in carcinomas of several anatomical sites (Chen, 2003; Virmani, 2001). Ecadherin-mediated cell adhesion system is inactivated by multiple mechanisms. It may be inactivated as a result of genetic alteration, reduced gene expression, changes of other cadherin–catenin complexes or posttranslational modification of the protein leading to cytoplasmic delocalization (Widschwendter, 2004; Oki, 2007).

The expression of E-cadherin is impaired as squamous intraepithelial lesions progress to squamous cervical carcinoma (Laird, 2003). In cervical cancer, the presence and localisation of cytoplasmic E-cadherin were significantly correlated with CIN grade. In invasive types, the expression of E-cadherin was significantly reduced (Hirohashi, 1998) and this is mainly due to gene silencing by methylation processes (Nehls, 2008).

E-cadherin expression, as well as p16INK4a expression, is usually used in cervical neoplasia diagnosis. In squamous cervical epithelium, E-cadherin is predominantly found at the cellto-cell borders in the basal and parabasal cell layers (Laird, 2003). However, E-cadherin expression is reduced during tumour progression and metastasis, and associated with poor prognosis in a variety of cancers (Karayiannakis, 1998; Sulzer, 1998; Zheng, 1999). A representative E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma is given in Figure 7.

Reported data showed that E-cadherin is moderately expressed in about 85% of informative cases with a main localisation at the cell membrane and cytoplasm (El Hamdani, 2010). Decrease or loss of E-cadherin expression is a common feature of many human epithelial cancers, including cervical cancer, although a decreased expression of this molecule has been described in metastasis, but not primary tumours (Carico, 2001).

Moderate membranous staining of E-cadherin

Fig. 7. Representative E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining in epidermoid carcinoma sample

Evaluation of p53, p16INK4a and E-Cadherin

global DNA methylation (Zambrano, 2005).

treatment strategies (Watanabe, 2010).

improve cancer management worldwide.

**9. Conclusion** 

cervical cancer diagnosis.

cervical cancer treatment.

mediated through the caspase dependent pathway (Chen, 2006).

(Ferguson, 2011).

Cruz-Hernández, 2011).

Status as Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 207

methylation are DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, 2, 3A and 3B) and methyl CpG-binding proteins, which recognize methyl cytosine residues and recruit transcriptional repressor complexes, including histone deacetylases (HDAC). Because of the interdependence of epigenetic processes, combinations of these approaches may have maximum clinical efficacy

Epigenetic therapy leads to gene reactivation in primary tumours of cervical cancer patients. A number of these reactivated genes have a definitive role as tumour suppressors (De la

Hydralazine, a demethylating agent, was administrated in different doses to cohorts of previously untreated patients with histological diagnosis of cervical cancer in a phase I study. Hydralazine at doses between 50 and 150 mg/day is well tolerated and effective to demethylate and reactivate the expression of tumour suppressor genes without affecting

Valproic acid, an HDAC inhibitor, exerted a growth inhibitory effect on cervical cancer cell line: HeLa, SiHa and CaSki (De la Cruz-Hernandez, 2007; Chen, 2006). These drugs led to an increase of p53 transcription, and increase its stabilisation due to acetylation at lysines 273 and 282, protecting it from degradation by E6 (CruzHernandez, 2007). Valproic acid impede Akt1 and Akt2 expression, which leads to Akt deactivation and apoptotic cell death

The combined antineoplastic effect of the DNA methylation inhibitor hydralazine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid leads to increase in the cytotoxicity of cisplatin,

Also, epigenetic profiling using DNA methylation and histone analysis, can provide useful information for translational purposes, with a special emphasis on the potential use of DNA methylation marks for early disease detection and prognosis (Park, 2011) and for effective

Identification of relevant biomarkers for early and specific diagnosis as well as the identification of promising therapeutic targets for molecular targeted therapy is a key role to

In cervical cancer, even the importance of combined cytology and HPV testing, the use of epigenetic alterations as biomarkers will be of a great interest to enhance cervical diagnosis. Since alterations of the cellular epigenome usually precede morphologic changes and genetic alterations, identification of related aberrant DNA methylation profiles according to specific anatomopathologic status may serve as a reasonable early diagnostic marker for

Moreover, the crucial role of epigenetic alterations at an early stage in the carcinogenesis may be promising targets for the prevention or treatment of cancer. Thus, understanding the epigenetic derepression of oncogenes, or cancer-promoting genes, would be important for the development of epigenetic-based therapies used in combination with other therapies for

adriamycin or gemcitabine in human cervical cancer cell lines (ChavezBlanco, 2006).

It's widely accepted that hypermethylation plays a critical role in gene silencing. Promoter hypermethylation has been proposed as an explanation for the decrease of *E-cadherin* expression (Chen, 2003, Graff, 2000) and was even suggested as a potential marker for identifying cervical cancer patients at high risk for relapse (Widschwendter, 2004).

Thus, methylation status of E-cadherin promoter has been studied to understand the implication of this gene silencing in cervical cancer development. Methylatio status was mainly studied using MSP analysis, as shown in Figure 8. Reported data showed that less than 50% of cervical cancer cases exhibited E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation at their CpG islands (Chen, 2003, Dong, 2001; Narayan, 2003; Attaleb, 2009). Moreover, E-cadherin promoter was also hypermethylated in 3 cervical cell lines (HeLa, SiHa and C33A) (Attaleb, 2009). Thus, partial methylation of the E-cadherin gene promoter leads to down-regulate the gene expression.

Fig. 8. MSP analysis of the promoter regions of p16INK4a

The presence of a visible PCR product in lane U indicates the presence of unmethylated genes; the presence of a PCR product in lane M indicates the presence of methylated genes. Normal lymphocytes DNA (T) was used as a negative control for methylation. Case 4 was unmethylated at E-cadherin. M: 100 bp ladder.

#### **8. Epigenetic based therapy**

In tumours, epigenetic silencing of genes involved in DNA damage response pathways, such as cell cycle control, apoptosis signalling and DNA repair, has the potential to influence drug resistance and clinical outcome following therapy (Teodoridis, 2004).

Promoter hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation contribute to this transcriptional inactivation. It is possible to reverse silencing using small molecule inhibitors. Such compounds, that can reverse this epigenetic inactivation, show anti tumour activity and can increase the sensitivity of drug resistant preclinical tumour models (Teodoridis, 2004). Hypomethylating and hyperacetylating drugs, HDAC (histone deacetylase) and DNMT inhibitors, can reverse epigenetic silencing and improve the cancer therapy (Hidemi, 2011).

The targeting of epigenetic pathways is an attractive therapeutic strategy and current clinical trials aim to improve efficacy of DNA hypomethylating drugs for e.g. by combination with standard chemotherapy. Key components in the regulation of DNA

It's widely accepted that hypermethylation plays a critical role in gene silencing. Promoter hypermethylation has been proposed as an explanation for the decrease of *E-cadherin* expression (Chen, 2003, Graff, 2000) and was even suggested as a potential marker for

Thus, methylation status of E-cadherin promoter has been studied to understand the implication of this gene silencing in cervical cancer development. Methylatio status was mainly studied using MSP analysis, as shown in Figure 8. Reported data showed that less than 50% of cervical cancer cases exhibited E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation at their CpG islands (Chen, 2003, Dong, 2001; Narayan, 2003; Attaleb, 2009). Moreover, E-cadherin promoter was also hypermethylated in 3 cervical cell lines (HeLa, SiHa and C33A) (Attaleb, 2009). Thus, partial methylation of the E-cadherin gene promoter leads to down-regulate the

The presence of a visible PCR product in lane U indicates the presence of unmethylated genes; the presence of a PCR product in lane M indicates the presence of methylated genes. Normal lymphocytes DNA (T) was used as a negative control for methylation. Case 4 was

**97 pb** 

In tumours, epigenetic silencing of genes involved in DNA damage response pathways, such as cell cycle control, apoptosis signalling and DNA repair, has the potential to

Promoter hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation contribute to this transcriptional inactivation. It is possible to reverse silencing using small molecule inhibitors. Such compounds, that can reverse this epigenetic inactivation, show anti tumour activity and can increase the sensitivity of drug resistant preclinical tumour models (Teodoridis, 2004). Hypomethylating and hyperacetylating drugs, HDAC (histone deacetylase) and DNMT inhibitors, can reverse epigenetic silencing and improve the cancer therapy (Hidemi,

The targeting of epigenetic pathways is an attractive therapeutic strategy and current clinical trials aim to improve efficacy of DNA hypomethylating drugs for e.g. by combination with standard chemotherapy. Key components in the regulation of DNA

influence drug resistance and clinical outcome following therapy (Teodoridis, 2004).

identifying cervical cancer patients at high risk for relapse (Widschwendter, 2004).

Fig. 8. MSP analysis of the promoter regions of p16INK4a

unmethylated at E-cadherin. M: 100 bp ladder.

**8. Epigenetic based therapy** 

2011).

gene expression.

**116 pb** 

methylation are DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, 2, 3A and 3B) and methyl CpG-binding proteins, which recognize methyl cytosine residues and recruit transcriptional repressor complexes, including histone deacetylases (HDAC). Because of the interdependence of epigenetic processes, combinations of these approaches may have maximum clinical efficacy (Ferguson, 2011).

Epigenetic therapy leads to gene reactivation in primary tumours of cervical cancer patients. A number of these reactivated genes have a definitive role as tumour suppressors (De la Cruz-Hernández, 2011).

Hydralazine, a demethylating agent, was administrated in different doses to cohorts of previously untreated patients with histological diagnosis of cervical cancer in a phase I study. Hydralazine at doses between 50 and 150 mg/day is well tolerated and effective to demethylate and reactivate the expression of tumour suppressor genes without affecting global DNA methylation (Zambrano, 2005).

Valproic acid, an HDAC inhibitor, exerted a growth inhibitory effect on cervical cancer cell line: HeLa, SiHa and CaSki (De la Cruz-Hernandez, 2007; Chen, 2006). These drugs led to an increase of p53 transcription, and increase its stabilisation due to acetylation at lysines 273 and 282, protecting it from degradation by E6 (CruzHernandez, 2007). Valproic acid impede Akt1 and Akt2 expression, which leads to Akt deactivation and apoptotic cell death mediated through the caspase dependent pathway (Chen, 2006).

The combined antineoplastic effect of the DNA methylation inhibitor hydralazine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid leads to increase in the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, adriamycin or gemcitabine in human cervical cancer cell lines (ChavezBlanco, 2006).

Also, epigenetic profiling using DNA methylation and histone analysis, can provide useful information for translational purposes, with a special emphasis on the potential use of DNA methylation marks for early disease detection and prognosis (Park, 2011) and for effective treatment strategies (Watanabe, 2010).

#### **9. Conclusion**

Identification of relevant biomarkers for early and specific diagnosis as well as the identification of promising therapeutic targets for molecular targeted therapy is a key role to improve cancer management worldwide.

In cervical cancer, even the importance of combined cytology and HPV testing, the use of epigenetic alterations as biomarkers will be of a great interest to enhance cervical diagnosis. Since alterations of the cellular epigenome usually precede morphologic changes and genetic alterations, identification of related aberrant DNA methylation profiles according to specific anatomopathologic status may serve as a reasonable early diagnostic marker for cervical cancer diagnosis.

Moreover, the crucial role of epigenetic alterations at an early stage in the carcinogenesis may be promising targets for the prevention or treatment of cancer. Thus, understanding the epigenetic derepression of oncogenes, or cancer-promoting genes, would be important for the development of epigenetic-based therapies used in combination with other therapies for cervical cancer treatment.

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**13** 

*Colombia* 

**New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer –** 

**Perspectives from the IGF System** 

Diana J. Garay-Baquero and Myriam Sánchez-Gómez\*

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family is organized in a complex regulatory network at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. In the human the IGF system has a key physiological role in the development of the organism and maintenance of normal cellular function during foetal and postnatal life. The IGF system consists of three ligands, IGF-I, IGF-II and Insulin; three cell membrane receptors, IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), insulin receptor (IR), and IGF-II receptor (IGF-IIR); six high-affinity IGF binding proteins, IGFBP-1 through -6, their specific

IGF-I and IGF-II share a 62% homology in amino acid sequence and there is a 40% homology between the IGFs and proinsulin (Furstenberger & Senn, 2002). IGF-IR is a member of the family of the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors and is highly homologous at the amino acid sequence level to the IR. The mature membrane receptor is a tetramer made of two αchains and two β-chains, with several disulfide bridges (LeRoith et al., 1995). The extracellular α-subunits form the ligand binding domain and several lines of evidence suggest that the binding sites for IGF-I and IGF-II may be distinct (Samani et al., 2007). IGF-I and IGF-II bind to IGF-IR with high affinity, however, ligand affinities may vary with cell type and experimental conditions. IGF-II can also bind to the insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A) with an affinity similar to that of insulin. IR-A is expressed in certain tumours and has a more mitogenic effect than the IR-B isoform, the latter having a more metabolic function (Pandini et al., 2002). In cells expressing both IR and IGF-IR, IR hemireceptors may heterodimerize with IGF-IR hemireceptors, leading to the formation of hybrid receptors (IR/IGF-IR). The proportion of hybrid receptors is a function of the mole fractions of each receptor. Early studies carried out with purified hybrid receptors indicate that these receptors mostly bind IGF-I and that they

IGF-II can also bind to a second receptor, IGF-IIR, which is a multifunctional single transmembrane glycoprotein, identical to the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor. It is composed of a large extracytoplasmic domain and a short cytoplasmic tail that lacks intrinsic cytoplasmic activity (El-Shewy & Luttrell, 2009). IGF-IIR perform diverse

proteases (IGFBP proteases) and membrane receptors (IGFBP-R) (Fig. 1).

bind insulin with a much lower affinity (Belfiore et al., 2009).

**1. Introduction** 

 \*

Corresponding Author

*Faculty of Science, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá* 

Martha-Lucía Serrano, Adriana Umaña-Pérez,

*Hormone Laboratory, Department of Chemistry,* 


### **New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer – Perspectives from the IGF System**

Martha-Lucía Serrano, Adriana Umaña-Pérez, Diana J. Garay-Baquero and Myriam Sánchez-Gómez\* *Hormone Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá Colombia* 

#### **1. Introduction**

214 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

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account. Virology. 2009. 384: 260-5.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family is organized in a complex regulatory network at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. In the human the IGF system has a key physiological role in the development of the organism and maintenance of normal cellular function during foetal and postnatal life. The IGF system consists of three ligands, IGF-I, IGF-II and Insulin; three cell membrane receptors, IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), insulin receptor (IR), and IGF-II receptor (IGF-IIR); six high-affinity IGF binding proteins, IGFBP-1 through -6, their specific proteases (IGFBP proteases) and membrane receptors (IGFBP-R) (Fig. 1).

IGF-I and IGF-II share a 62% homology in amino acid sequence and there is a 40% homology between the IGFs and proinsulin (Furstenberger & Senn, 2002). IGF-IR is a member of the family of the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors and is highly homologous at the amino acid sequence level to the IR. The mature membrane receptor is a tetramer made of two αchains and two β-chains, with several disulfide bridges (LeRoith et al., 1995). The extracellular α-subunits form the ligand binding domain and several lines of evidence suggest that the binding sites for IGF-I and IGF-II may be distinct (Samani et al., 2007). IGF-I and IGF-II bind to IGF-IR with high affinity, however, ligand affinities may vary with cell type and experimental conditions. IGF-II can also bind to the insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A) with an affinity similar to that of insulin. IR-A is expressed in certain tumours and has a more mitogenic effect than the IR-B isoform, the latter having a more metabolic function (Pandini et al., 2002). In cells expressing both IR and IGF-IR, IR hemireceptors may heterodimerize with IGF-IR hemireceptors, leading to the formation of hybrid receptors (IR/IGF-IR). The proportion of hybrid receptors is a function of the mole fractions of each receptor. Early studies carried out with purified hybrid receptors indicate that these receptors mostly bind IGF-I and that they bind insulin with a much lower affinity (Belfiore et al., 2009).

IGF-II can also bind to a second receptor, IGF-IIR, which is a multifunctional single transmembrane glycoprotein, identical to the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor. It is composed of a large extracytoplasmic domain and a short cytoplasmic tail that lacks intrinsic cytoplasmic activity (El-Shewy & Luttrell, 2009). IGF-IIR perform diverse

<sup>\*</sup> Corresponding Author

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 217

different cell types (LeRoith & Roberts, 2003). Many cancers have been shown to overexpress the IGF-I receptor and/or the ligands (IGF-I and IGF-II) and some combinations of the six IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) (Samani et al., 2007). It appears that abnormal IGF-IR activation can result in oncogene activation leading to increased cellular proliferation and malignancy. Although the IGFs are not in themselves tumorigenic factors, it has been shown that overexpression of IGF-II, as in the case of loss of imprinting (LOI) (Pavelic et al, 2002), can contribute to gynaecological malignancies like ovarian cancer (Murphy et al., 2006) and

Compared to other types of cancer, like breast, colon, prostate, and lung, little research has been done on the relationship between the IGF family and cervical neoplasias, and by now, much remains to be learned. In this review, we will discuss some of the studies focused on the role of the components of the IGF system in the progression of cervical cancer and its

Cervical cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide, accounting for 9% (529,800) of the total new cancer cases and 8% (275,100) of the total cancer deaths among females in 2008. More than 85% of these cases and deaths occur in developing countries. Worldwide, the highest incidence rates are in Eastern, Western and Southern Africa, as well as South-Central Asia and South America (Jemal et al., 2011). In Colombia, cervical cancer is one of the most common causes

Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV (HR HPV) has been identified as the main risk factor for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions, squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) (Walboomers et al., 1999; Muñoz et al., 2003). SILs precede the development of cervical cancer and are classified in two groups: low-grade SIL (LSIL), and high-grade SIL (HSIL) (Solomon et al., 2002) (Fig. 2). Although HPV infections are among the most frequent sexually transmitted diseases, infections are usually self-limited and revert spontaneously, with only a small group of women developing cervical cancer (Woodman et al., 2001). The evolution of infection to LSIL, HSIL and cancer is dependent on several factors, many of which remain to be identified. Despite intensive investigation, the tumor biology of this disease is still largely unknown. Although prognostic factors such as pelvic lymph node metastasis affects the outcome of cervical cancer, the variability in progression-free and overall survival (OS) among patients with similar clinical and pathological characteristics, makes it difficult to predict the outcome reliably (Huang et al., 2008). Current research strives to determine why certain HPV-positive women develop

IGF-I is a potent mitogenic growth factor that plays a critical role during embryogenesis and development in human and animal species. Together with Growth Hormone (GH) constitute an axis that regulate postnatal growth and development in an endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mode of action. IGF-I is produced by numerous adult organs, with major contribution of liver to overall circulating IGF-I levels. After puberty, circulating IGF-I

choriocarcinoma (Diaz et al., 2007).

potential utility as a diagnostic biomarker.

**2. The IGF system and cervical cancer** 

of cancer mortality among women (Ferlay, 2010).

cervical cancer while others do not (Schaffer et al., 2007).

**2.1 Serum levels of IGFs as cervical cancer biomarkers** 

Fig. 1. The IGF system. The IGF system consists of the receptors (IR, IGF-IR, IGF-IR/IR hybrids and IGF-IIR), the peptides (IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin), six high affinity IGFBPs (-1 to -6), IGFBP proteases and IGFBP receptors (IGFBP-R).

cellular functions related to lysosome biogenesis and the regulation of growth and development. The IGF-IIR receptors recycle continuosly between two cellular pools and at steady state most of the receptor localize in endosomes and the remainder (approx. 10%) on the plasma membrane. Traditionally, the IGF-IIR was considered a scavenger receptor, regulating the extracellular IGF-II concentrations, but recent studies suggest that the IGF-IIR also functions in signal transduction and may play an important role in tumour progression (El-Shewy et al., 2006,).

To add more complexity to the system, the IGFs in circulation and in the tissues, are associated with a family of six high affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) that regulate the bioavailability of the IGFs (Baxter, 2000). The IGFBPs regulate the interaction of IGFs with the receptors. In human about 80% of circulating IGF-I is carried by IGFBP-3/acid label subunit complex (Lewitt et., 1994). All IGFBPs inhibit IGF action by sequestering IGFs and some IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, -3, -5) can also potentiate IGF action. The resulting change in the ratio of IGF to IGFBP modulates IGF/IGFBP/IGF receptor interactions and may play a role in normal and abnormal tissue proliferation (Mohan & Baylink, 2002).

Overexpression of growth factors and/or their receptors is a common event in malignancy and provides the underlying mechanism for uncontrolled proliferation, one of the hallmarks of cancer (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000). The IGF signalling system network is tightly controlled under normal physiological conditions and alterations that disrupt the delicate balance of the system can trigger a number of molecular events that can lead to malignancy. Many studies have involved the IGF system in carcinogenesis and tumour progression of

Fig. 1. The IGF system. The IGF system consists of the receptors (IR, IGF-IR, IGF-IR/IR hybrids and IGF-IIR), the peptides (IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin), six high affinity IGFBPs (-1 to -6), IGFBP

cellular functions related to lysosome biogenesis and the regulation of growth and development. The IGF-IIR receptors recycle continuosly between two cellular pools and at steady state most of the receptor localize in endosomes and the remainder (approx. 10%) on the plasma membrane. Traditionally, the IGF-IIR was considered a scavenger receptor, regulating the extracellular IGF-II concentrations, but recent studies suggest that the IGF-IIR also functions in signal transduction and may play an important role in tumour progression

To add more complexity to the system, the IGFs in circulation and in the tissues, are associated with a family of six high affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) that regulate the bioavailability of the IGFs (Baxter, 2000). The IGFBPs regulate the interaction of IGFs with the receptors. In human about 80% of circulating IGF-I is carried by IGFBP-3/acid label subunit complex (Lewitt et., 1994). All IGFBPs inhibit IGF action by sequestering IGFs and some IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, -3, -5) can also potentiate IGF action. The resulting change in the ratio of IGF to IGFBP modulates IGF/IGFBP/IGF receptor interactions and may play a role

Overexpression of growth factors and/or their receptors is a common event in malignancy and provides the underlying mechanism for uncontrolled proliferation, one of the hallmarks of cancer (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2000). The IGF signalling system network is tightly controlled under normal physiological conditions and alterations that disrupt the delicate balance of the system can trigger a number of molecular events that can lead to malignancy. Many studies have involved the IGF system in carcinogenesis and tumour progression of

in normal and abnormal tissue proliferation (Mohan & Baylink, 2002).

proteases and IGFBP receptors (IGFBP-R).

(El-Shewy et al., 2006,).

different cell types (LeRoith & Roberts, 2003). Many cancers have been shown to overexpress the IGF-I receptor and/or the ligands (IGF-I and IGF-II) and some combinations of the six IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) (Samani et al., 2007). It appears that abnormal IGF-IR activation can result in oncogene activation leading to increased cellular proliferation and malignancy. Although the IGFs are not in themselves tumorigenic factors, it has been shown that overexpression of IGF-II, as in the case of loss of imprinting (LOI) (Pavelic et al, 2002), can contribute to gynaecological malignancies like ovarian cancer (Murphy et al., 2006) and choriocarcinoma (Diaz et al., 2007).

Compared to other types of cancer, like breast, colon, prostate, and lung, little research has been done on the relationship between the IGF family and cervical neoplasias, and by now, much remains to be learned. In this review, we will discuss some of the studies focused on the role of the components of the IGF system in the progression of cervical cancer and its potential utility as a diagnostic biomarker.

#### **2. The IGF system and cervical cancer**

Cervical cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide, accounting for 9% (529,800) of the total new cancer cases and 8% (275,100) of the total cancer deaths among females in 2008. More than 85% of these cases and deaths occur in developing countries. Worldwide, the highest incidence rates are in Eastern, Western and Southern Africa, as well as South-Central Asia and South America (Jemal et al., 2011). In Colombia, cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer mortality among women (Ferlay, 2010).

Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV (HR HPV) has been identified as the main risk factor for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions, squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) (Walboomers et al., 1999; Muñoz et al., 2003). SILs precede the development of cervical cancer and are classified in two groups: low-grade SIL (LSIL), and high-grade SIL (HSIL) (Solomon et al., 2002) (Fig. 2). Although HPV infections are among the most frequent sexually transmitted diseases, infections are usually self-limited and revert spontaneously, with only a small group of women developing cervical cancer (Woodman et al., 2001). The evolution of infection to LSIL, HSIL and cancer is dependent on several factors, many of which remain to be identified. Despite intensive investigation, the tumor biology of this disease is still largely unknown. Although prognostic factors such as pelvic lymph node metastasis affects the outcome of cervical cancer, the variability in progression-free and overall survival (OS) among patients with similar clinical and pathological characteristics, makes it difficult to predict the outcome reliably (Huang et al., 2008). Current research strives to determine why certain HPV-positive women develop cervical cancer while others do not (Schaffer et al., 2007).

#### **2.1 Serum levels of IGFs as cervical cancer biomarkers**

IGF-I is a potent mitogenic growth factor that plays a critical role during embryogenesis and development in human and animal species. Together with Growth Hormone (GH) constitute an axis that regulate postnatal growth and development in an endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mode of action. IGF-I is produced by numerous adult organs, with major contribution of liver to overall circulating IGF-I levels. After puberty, circulating IGF-I

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 219

study conducted in patients with diagnosed pre-cancer lesions where levels of IGF-I were inversely associated with risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (Schaffer et al,

A recent prospective study reported a possible influence of the IGF axis on the natural history of oncogenic HPV and the development of cervical neoplasia (Harris et al., 2008). A high IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio was associated with increased persistence of oncogenic HPV infection [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 0.14; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.04-0.57], whereas IGFBP-3 was inversely associated with both the incident detection of oncogenic HPV (AHR, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.13-0.93) and the incidence of oncogenic HPV positive cervical neoplasia (that is, squamous intraepithelial lesions at risk of progression; AHR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.66). We conducted a case-control study with in a prospective populational-based cohort of 2200 women, followed-up during 10 years. Results adjusted by age, menarche, smoking, parity and hormonal contraceptives, showed that high IGF-I serum levels were associated with persistence (lower vs. higher quartile: RR 2.60 95% CI 0.61–10.94) and prevalent (lower vs. higher quartile: RR 2.67, 95% CI 0.37–19.09) HPV infection, however, no significance was achieved, and no association can be demonstrated (Serrano et al., 2010b). A recent nested case-control study (151 cervical cancer cases, 443 controls), found an inverse correlation between IGFBP-3 serum levels in pregnant women and risk of cervical cancer [OR 0.43 (95% CI 0.21-0.86)], suggesting that IGFBP-3 measured in pregnancy may be a marker of lower risk of cervical cancer (Jeffreys et al., 2011). In early-stage cervical cancer patients, lower IGF-I levels seemed to be associated with worse overall survival rate, but was not of an independent value, and there was no relationship between IGFBP-3 levels and

It is unclear why increased serum IGF-I levels may have a protective effect on development of cervical cancer, whereas in breast and prostate cancer it has the opposite effect. One of the theories is that the natural history to cervical cancer, where infection with HPV plays a crucial role, differs from sex hormone-related cancers (Schaffer et al., 2007). Larger prospective investigations are indicated to better clarify these associations, including any

Several lines of evidence support an important role for the IGF system in tumor tissue. IGF-IR activation is involved in several processes associated to oncogenic transformation, such as proliferation, migration and invasion (Coppola et al, 1994; Pavelic et al., 2002; Samani et al., 2007; Sell et al., 1994). IGF-I expression rarely occurs in tumoral cells, but can be produced by stromal cells surrounding the tumor. IGF-II, IGF-IR and certain IGFBPs are overexpressed in many primary tumors and cancer cell lines (Cullen et al., 1990; Hellawell et al., 2002; Werner & LeRoith, 1996). IGFBP-3 generally has, with some exceptions, a rather

Increased expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR, or combinations thereof have been documented in various malignancies including glioblastomas, neuroblastomas, meningiomas, medulloblastomas, carcinomas of the breast, malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, such as colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas, and ovarian cancer (Samani et al., 2007). These data show that whereas a correlation between IGF-I/ IGF-II

potential HPV type-specific differences in the effects of IGFs.

inhibiting effect on IGF action in tumor tissues (LeRoith & Roberts, 2003).

**2.2 Aberrant expression of IGFs in cancer** 

2007).

survival (Huang et al., 2008).

Fig. 2. Schematic representation of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).

levels decline, in contrast to IGF-II levels that remain elevated throughout adult life (Bang & Hall, 1992).

The proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of IGF-I observed in animal and cell cultures, made it an obvious risk factor candidate in cancer development. In attempt to find a reliable serum biomarker to predict occurrence, progression or prognosis of human cancer, scientists have investigated the correlation of serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3, the most abundant IGFBP in circulation, to the prevalence of a variety of cancers. Prospective and retrospective studies have demonstrated an association between high concentrations of serum IGF-I and increased risk for prostate and premenopausal breast cancer (Renehan et al., 2004), whereas an inverse association has been reported for certain types of cancer, including gastric (Lee et al., 1997), endometrial (Lacey et al., 2004), liver (Stuver et al., 2000), and contradictory results for lung cancer (Yu et al, 1999; Mazzoccoli et al., 1999; Renehan, 2004).

With respect to cervical cancer, results have not shown consistency. Mathur et al. found that serum IGF-II levels were elevated, whereas IGFBP-3 levels were decreased, across the cervical lesion spectrum, and proposed that this could be used as an aid for early diagnosis and predicting prognosis of cervical cancer (Mathur et al., 2000, 2003, 2005). Two other epidemiological studies (Lee et al., 2010; Wu et al., 2003) did not find an association between IGFBP-3 levels and risk of squamous intraepithelial lesions, but on the other hand, a strong significant increase in the risk of low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was observed for women with IGF-I serum levels in the highest versus the lowest quartiles.

We conducted a case-control study on Colombian women with SIL and cervical cancer, and our findings illustrated an inverse association between cervical cancer risk and IGF-I circulating levels. In accordance to this result, IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio was also inversely associated with cervical carcinoma (Serrano et al., 2006). Similar results were obtained in a

Fig. 2. Schematic representation of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions

levels decline, in contrast to IGF-II levels that remain elevated throughout adult life (Bang &

The proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of IGF-I observed in animal and cell cultures, made it an obvious risk factor candidate in cancer development. In attempt to find a reliable serum biomarker to predict occurrence, progression or prognosis of human cancer, scientists have investigated the correlation of serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3, the most abundant IGFBP in circulation, to the prevalence of a variety of cancers. Prospective and retrospective studies have demonstrated an association between high concentrations of serum IGF-I and increased risk for prostate and premenopausal breast cancer (Renehan et al., 2004), whereas an inverse association has been reported for certain types of cancer, including gastric (Lee et al., 1997), endometrial (Lacey et al., 2004), liver (Stuver et al., 2000), and contradictory results

With respect to cervical cancer, results have not shown consistency. Mathur et al. found that serum IGF-II levels were elevated, whereas IGFBP-3 levels were decreased, across the cervical lesion spectrum, and proposed that this could be used as an aid for early diagnosis and predicting prognosis of cervical cancer (Mathur et al., 2000, 2003, 2005). Two other epidemiological studies (Lee et al., 2010; Wu et al., 2003) did not find an association between IGFBP-3 levels and risk of squamous intraepithelial lesions, but on the other hand, a strong significant increase in the risk of low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was observed for women with IGF-I serum levels in the highest versus the lowest quartiles. We conducted a case-control study on Colombian women with SIL and cervical cancer, and our findings illustrated an inverse association between cervical cancer risk and IGF-I circulating levels. In accordance to this result, IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio was also inversely associated with cervical carcinoma (Serrano et al., 2006). Similar results were obtained in a

for lung cancer (Yu et al, 1999; Mazzoccoli et al., 1999; Renehan, 2004).

(HSIL).

Hall, 1992).

study conducted in patients with diagnosed pre-cancer lesions where levels of IGF-I were inversely associated with risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (Schaffer et al, 2007).

A recent prospective study reported a possible influence of the IGF axis on the natural history of oncogenic HPV and the development of cervical neoplasia (Harris et al., 2008). A high IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio was associated with increased persistence of oncogenic HPV infection [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 0.14; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.04-0.57], whereas IGFBP-3 was inversely associated with both the incident detection of oncogenic HPV (AHR, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.13-0.93) and the incidence of oncogenic HPV positive cervical neoplasia (that is, squamous intraepithelial lesions at risk of progression; AHR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.66). We conducted a case-control study with in a prospective populational-based cohort of 2200 women, followed-up during 10 years. Results adjusted by age, menarche, smoking, parity and hormonal contraceptives, showed that high IGF-I serum levels were associated with persistence (lower vs. higher quartile: RR 2.60 95% CI 0.61–10.94) and prevalent (lower vs. higher quartile: RR 2.67, 95% CI 0.37–19.09) HPV infection, however, no significance was achieved, and no association can be demonstrated (Serrano et al., 2010b).

A recent nested case-control study (151 cervical cancer cases, 443 controls), found an inverse correlation between IGFBP-3 serum levels in pregnant women and risk of cervical cancer [OR 0.43 (95% CI 0.21-0.86)], suggesting that IGFBP-3 measured in pregnancy may be a marker of lower risk of cervical cancer (Jeffreys et al., 2011). In early-stage cervical cancer patients, lower IGF-I levels seemed to be associated with worse overall survival rate, but was not of an independent value, and there was no relationship between IGFBP-3 levels and survival (Huang et al., 2008).

It is unclear why increased serum IGF-I levels may have a protective effect on development of cervical cancer, whereas in breast and prostate cancer it has the opposite effect. One of the theories is that the natural history to cervical cancer, where infection with HPV plays a crucial role, differs from sex hormone-related cancers (Schaffer et al., 2007). Larger prospective investigations are indicated to better clarify these associations, including any potential HPV type-specific differences in the effects of IGFs.

#### **2.2 Aberrant expression of IGFs in cancer**

Several lines of evidence support an important role for the IGF system in tumor tissue. IGF-IR activation is involved in several processes associated to oncogenic transformation, such as proliferation, migration and invasion (Coppola et al, 1994; Pavelic et al., 2002; Samani et al., 2007; Sell et al., 1994). IGF-I expression rarely occurs in tumoral cells, but can be produced by stromal cells surrounding the tumor. IGF-II, IGF-IR and certain IGFBPs are overexpressed in many primary tumors and cancer cell lines (Cullen et al., 1990; Hellawell et al., 2002; Werner & LeRoith, 1996). IGFBP-3 generally has, with some exceptions, a rather inhibiting effect on IGF action in tumor tissues (LeRoith & Roberts, 2003).

Increased expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR, or combinations thereof have been documented in various malignancies including glioblastomas, neuroblastomas, meningiomas, medulloblastomas, carcinomas of the breast, malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, such as colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas, and ovarian cancer (Samani et al., 2007). These data show that whereas a correlation between IGF-I/ IGF-II

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 221

IGF-IR overexpression in cervical cancer tissue, give support to a paracrine or autocrine function of the IGF system in early-stage cervical cancer, with the corresponding adverse

Only few studies have addressed the analysis of gene expression on exfoliated cells. The remaining cellular material after preparation of routine Pap smear can be used for the search of new biomarkers at both the mRNA and protein levels. The use of cervical scrapes instead of biopsies for biomarker studies has several advantages, since this is a noninvasive procedure, the material obtained is not affected by stroma or other contaminants, as is the case in the analysis of tissue homogenates and can be the base for molecular epidemiology

In a study on cervical scrapes from SIL and cancer patients, we found no difference in IGF-II mRNA levels between cancer and normal cells, whereas at the protein level, IGF-II expression was reduced in cancer cervical scrapes (Serrano et al., 2007, 2010a). There is ample evidence that the levels of IGF-II mRNA differ from the protein. While IGF-II transcripts were higher than in normal tissue in prostate cancer (Tennant et al., 1996), Wilms tumors (Haselbacher et al., 1987), and glioblastomas and astrocytomas (Hultberg et al., 1993), it was not the case for the protein. High levels of IGF-II protein, but not mRNA were found in pheocromocytomas (Haselbacher et al., 1987). These evidences indicate that regulation of IGF-II expression involves transcriptional mechanisms, as genomic imprinting, but also post-transcriptional regulation, that can occur through malignant progression. A member of the IGF-II mRNA binding protein family (IMP), IMP-3, has been reported to be an activator of IGF-II mRNA translation and therefore may play a critical role in IGF-IIdependent cellular proliferation (Liao et al., 2005). IMPs were detected in various cancers; increased levels were found in ovarian cancer and correlated with prognosis. There are no

Few studies have examined the expression of hybrid receptors in cervical cancer cells. In a recent study, we found that IR-A, IR-B and hybrid receptors coexist with IGF-IR in human papillomavirus-positive cervical cancer cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptors and activation of the MAPK and PI3-K pathways were observed upon ligand binding, which may explain the anti-apoptotic effect mediated by IGF-I in these cells (Serrano et al., 2008). Further studies are required to fully understand the significance of the hybrid receptors, especially IGF-IR/HR-A in cervical carcinogenesis and for the design of therapies to target

The crucial role of IGF-IR in promoting resistance to cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, is well documented for several cancer types (Samani, et al., 2007). IGF-IR down-regulation by antisense nucleotides or its inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors increases cancer cell sensitivity to both radiation and chemotherapy in a variety of malignancies. Some studies indicate an important role of IGF-IR in several pathways

The identification of the mechanisms underlying the effects of IGF-II/IGF-IR signaling in the induction of resistance to oxidative stress in cancer cells may provide useful information for the selection of the appropriate treatment strategy. In a study with advanced cervical

IGF-I stimulation of IGF-IR signaling (Huang et al., 2008).

studies.

their effects.

studies about IMP in cervical cancer.

**2.2.2 The role of IGF in radioresistance in cervical cancer** 

involved in the induction of radioresistance (Belfiore et al., 2009).

expression levels and tumor progression could be consistently documented in some malignancies (*e.g*., colorectal, hepatocellular, and pancreatic carcinomas), no consistent correlation was seen in others (*e.g*., breast cancer). Moreover, in some cases, conflicting results were obtained in different studies that analyzed the same types of cancers (*e.g*., gliomas) (Samani et al., 2007). Overexpression of IGF-II has been reported in several malignancies. A study identified the loss of imprinting (LOI) of the gene, frequently observed in the colonic mucosa of colorectal carcinoma patients, as a risk factor for developing colorectal carcinoma (Cui et al., 2003). Overexpression of IGF-II and IGF-IR, was observed in gestational trophoblastic neoplasias, including hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinoma, correlating with the elevated IGF-II levels in the circulation (Díaz et al., 2007), Taken as a whole, these studies suggest that the IGFs can play a paracrine and/or autocrine role in promoting tumor growth.

IGF-IR may also form hybrid receptors with one α- and β- subunit from the IR. There are two IR isoforms formed by alternative splicing of exon 11, IR-A which lacks exon 11 and IR-B which contains exon 11. IGF-I and IGF-II, bind to hybrid receptors IGF-IR/IR-A leading to mitogenic signaling. IGF-II and insulin bind to IR-A leading also to mitogenic signaling, whereas, activation of IR-B by insulin, or the hybrid IGF-IR/IR-B by IGF-I, results mostly in metabolic signaling. After *in vitro* and *in vivo* studies demonstrating that insulin may also play a significant and independent role in tumorigenesis, insulin is now receiving more attention in this regard (Gallagher & LeRoith, 2011).

In the past few decades, accumulating evidence has established that insulin receptors (IRs) are usually abnormally expressed in cancer cells, where they mediate both the metabolic and nonmetabolic effects of insulin. Most recently, it was observed that splicing of the IR gene is altered in cancer cells, thus increasing IR-A/IR-B ratio, which affects the cell response to circulating IGFs and insulin (Belfiore et al., 2009). As it was mentioned earlier, many tumors overexpress IGF-II, which also signals through the IR-A isoform. An important role of the IGF-II/IR-A loop has been observed in gestational trophoblastic diseases. Both IGF-I and IGF-II stimulated JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell invasion, although they signal through different receptors: IGF-I through IGF-IR, and IGF-II through IR-A. In JEG-3 cells, which predominantly express IR-A, IGF-II stimulated cell invasion more potently than insulin (Diaz et al., 2007). The effects of IGF-II may also be mediated by the IGF-IIR, as reported in trophoblast cells (MacKinnon et al., 2001), giving more relevance to the role of this receptor in signaling and tumorigenesis.

#### **2.2.1 Tissue expression of IGFs as risk or prognosis biomarkers in cervical cancer**

In a recent study the expression levels and activated status of IGF-IR were measured by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. IGF-IR levels and phosphorylation status were significantly high in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) and invasive cancer specimens (Kuramoto et al., 2008). An interesting retrospective analysis of patients with early-stage cervical cancer evaluated IGF-IR expression levels by immunoflorescent stain. Authors found that high-grade expression of IGF-IR, is an independent predictor of cervical cancer death and recurrence, and when combined with elevated squamous cervical cancer antigen (SCC Ag) serum level, could further help identify the subgroup of patients at higher death risk. Colocalisation of IGF-I and IGF-IR in the cancerous tissues, and the lack of correlation between circulating IGF-I or IGFBP-3, and

expression levels and tumor progression could be consistently documented in some malignancies (*e.g*., colorectal, hepatocellular, and pancreatic carcinomas), no consistent correlation was seen in others (*e.g*., breast cancer). Moreover, in some cases, conflicting results were obtained in different studies that analyzed the same types of cancers (*e.g*., gliomas) (Samani et al., 2007). Overexpression of IGF-II has been reported in several malignancies. A study identified the loss of imprinting (LOI) of the gene, frequently observed in the colonic mucosa of colorectal carcinoma patients, as a risk factor for developing colorectal carcinoma (Cui et al., 2003). Overexpression of IGF-II and IGF-IR, was observed in gestational trophoblastic neoplasias, including hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinoma, correlating with the elevated IGF-II levels in the circulation (Díaz et al., 2007), Taken as a whole, these studies suggest that the IGFs can play a paracrine and/or

IGF-IR may also form hybrid receptors with one α- and β- subunit from the IR. There are two IR isoforms formed by alternative splicing of exon 11, IR-A which lacks exon 11 and IR-B which contains exon 11. IGF-I and IGF-II, bind to hybrid receptors IGF-IR/IR-A leading to mitogenic signaling. IGF-II and insulin bind to IR-A leading also to mitogenic signaling, whereas, activation of IR-B by insulin, or the hybrid IGF-IR/IR-B by IGF-I, results mostly in metabolic signaling. After *in vitro* and *in vivo* studies demonstrating that insulin may also play a significant and independent role in tumorigenesis, insulin is now receiving more

In the past few decades, accumulating evidence has established that insulin receptors (IRs) are usually abnormally expressed in cancer cells, where they mediate both the metabolic and nonmetabolic effects of insulin. Most recently, it was observed that splicing of the IR gene is altered in cancer cells, thus increasing IR-A/IR-B ratio, which affects the cell response to circulating IGFs and insulin (Belfiore et al., 2009). As it was mentioned earlier, many tumors overexpress IGF-II, which also signals through the IR-A isoform. An important role of the IGF-II/IR-A loop has been observed in gestational trophoblastic diseases. Both IGF-I and IGF-II stimulated JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell invasion, although they signal through different receptors: IGF-I through IGF-IR, and IGF-II through IR-A. In JEG-3 cells, which predominantly express IR-A, IGF-II stimulated cell invasion more potently than insulin (Diaz et al., 2007). The effects of IGF-II may also be mediated by the IGF-IIR, as reported in trophoblast cells (MacKinnon et al., 2001), giving more relevance to

**2.2.1 Tissue expression of IGFs as risk or prognosis biomarkers in cervical cancer**  In a recent study the expression levels and activated status of IGF-IR were measured by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. IGF-IR levels and phosphorylation status were significantly high in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) and invasive cancer specimens (Kuramoto et al., 2008). An interesting retrospective analysis of patients with early-stage cervical cancer evaluated IGF-IR expression levels by immunoflorescent stain. Authors found that high-grade expression of IGF-IR, is an independent predictor of cervical cancer death and recurrence, and when combined with elevated squamous cervical cancer antigen (SCC Ag) serum level, could further help identify the subgroup of patients at higher death risk. Colocalisation of IGF-I and IGF-IR in the cancerous tissues, and the lack of correlation between circulating IGF-I or IGFBP-3, and

autocrine role in promoting tumor growth.

attention in this regard (Gallagher & LeRoith, 2011).

the role of this receptor in signaling and tumorigenesis.

IGF-IR overexpression in cervical cancer tissue, give support to a paracrine or autocrine function of the IGF system in early-stage cervical cancer, with the corresponding adverse IGF-I stimulation of IGF-IR signaling (Huang et al., 2008).

Only few studies have addressed the analysis of gene expression on exfoliated cells. The remaining cellular material after preparation of routine Pap smear can be used for the search of new biomarkers at both the mRNA and protein levels. The use of cervical scrapes instead of biopsies for biomarker studies has several advantages, since this is a noninvasive procedure, the material obtained is not affected by stroma or other contaminants, as is the case in the analysis of tissue homogenates and can be the base for molecular epidemiology studies.

In a study on cervical scrapes from SIL and cancer patients, we found no difference in IGF-II mRNA levels between cancer and normal cells, whereas at the protein level, IGF-II expression was reduced in cancer cervical scrapes (Serrano et al., 2007, 2010a). There is ample evidence that the levels of IGF-II mRNA differ from the protein. While IGF-II transcripts were higher than in normal tissue in prostate cancer (Tennant et al., 1996), Wilms tumors (Haselbacher et al., 1987), and glioblastomas and astrocytomas (Hultberg et al., 1993), it was not the case for the protein. High levels of IGF-II protein, but not mRNA were found in pheocromocytomas (Haselbacher et al., 1987). These evidences indicate that regulation of IGF-II expression involves transcriptional mechanisms, as genomic imprinting, but also post-transcriptional regulation, that can occur through malignant progression. A member of the IGF-II mRNA binding protein family (IMP), IMP-3, has been reported to be an activator of IGF-II mRNA translation and therefore may play a critical role in IGF-IIdependent cellular proliferation (Liao et al., 2005). IMPs were detected in various cancers; increased levels were found in ovarian cancer and correlated with prognosis. There are no studies about IMP in cervical cancer.

Few studies have examined the expression of hybrid receptors in cervical cancer cells. In a recent study, we found that IR-A, IR-B and hybrid receptors coexist with IGF-IR in human papillomavirus-positive cervical cancer cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptors and activation of the MAPK and PI3-K pathways were observed upon ligand binding, which may explain the anti-apoptotic effect mediated by IGF-I in these cells (Serrano et al., 2008). Further studies are required to fully understand the significance of the hybrid receptors, especially IGF-IR/HR-A in cervical carcinogenesis and for the design of therapies to target their effects.

#### **2.2.2 The role of IGF in radioresistance in cervical cancer**

The crucial role of IGF-IR in promoting resistance to cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, is well documented for several cancer types (Samani, et al., 2007). IGF-IR down-regulation by antisense nucleotides or its inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors increases cancer cell sensitivity to both radiation and chemotherapy in a variety of malignancies. Some studies indicate an important role of IGF-IR in several pathways involved in the induction of radioresistance (Belfiore et al., 2009).

The identification of the mechanisms underlying the effects of IGF-II/IGF-IR signaling in the induction of resistance to oxidative stress in cancer cells may provide useful information for the selection of the appropriate treatment strategy. In a study with advanced cervical

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 223

functions leading to inhibition of p53 and uninhibited cell cycling (so Ki67 detection through anti-MIB-1 continues). In contrast with MN-p expression, anti-MIB-1 shows consistent results by most investigators and exhibits definitive, important associations with clinical

For several years, it has been known that high vascularity is characteristic of grade 3 CIN and invasive lesions, and angiogenesis has been associated as indicator of prognosis. The onset of angiogenesis in human cervical cancer occurring during the premalignant dysplastic stage is unique. An association between lymphatic high microvessel density with vascular invasion and a lower global survival rate has been described. There is a study demonstrating that microvessel density in carcinomas of the uterine cervix is a factor associated with poor prognosis (Tjalma et al., 1999). The authors showed that during the progression from noninvasive to microinvasive cervical carcinoma, the microvessel density increases significantly. However, the vessel density does not predict recurrence of noninvasive lesions. Once the tumour cells have passed the basal membrane, the tumour apparently switches to an angiogenic phenotype. Angiogenesis becomes a tumour initiator with prognostic potential (Tjalma et al., 1999). Measures of factor VIII, CD31, and vimentin, showed no association between microvessel count and lymph node invasion, depth of invasion, and histological differentiation. Nevertheless, these studies found an association between lymphatic vessel invasion and a larger number of newly formed vessels (Di Leo et

Other studies have proposed anti-CD34 as a marker for evaluating angiogenesis in cervical cancer (Vieira et al., 2004, 2005). Anti-CD34 antibody is a highly sensitive marker for endothelial cell differentiation and has also been studied as a marker for vascular tumours (Stross et al., 1989; Traweek et al., 1991). Vieira et al. (Vieira et al., 2005) showed that this antibody was able to detect a number of microvessels on neoplasm of the uterine cervix better than anti-factor VIII. They suggested that anti-CD34 antibody reactivity in cervical carcinoma is associated with pathoanatomical features, as microvessel density or invasion, indicative of poorer prognosis and greater risk of recurrence (Vieira et al., 2005). Briefly, they showed lymphatic invasion in 40% of the cases, while vascular and perineural invasion was observed in 24% and 19% of the cases, in a population of 62 patients diagnosed with invasive cervical carcinoma, stages Ib and IIa. They also observed that 55% of women whose carcinoma presented high microvessel density had an undifferentiated type of cancer, suggesting that the presence of lymphatic invasion may associate with higher microvessel density. In general, different markers for angiogenesis may or may not present a statistically significant association with different pathoanatomic features of cervical cancer. These possible markers should be tested prospectively as a prognostic and predictive factor of the

On the other hand, a recent study explored the power of serum markers such as squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), CYFRA 21-1, CA 125, immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with cervical cancer (Gadducci et al., 2008). Squamous cell carcinoma antigen comprises two similar proteins, SCC-1 and SCC-2, that posses protease inhibitory property: SCC-1 inhibits chymotrypsin and cathepsin L, while SCC-2 inhibits cathepsin G and mast cell chymase. Both proteins exert anti-apoptotic effects. The mechanism of protection of tumour cells from apoptosis involves the inhibition of caspase-3 activity and/or upstream proteases. SCC-1 and SCC-2

response to different therapies used in cervical carcinoma.

outcome and basic carcinogenesis hypotheses in the uterine cervix (Costa, 1996).

al., 1998).

cancer patients (CIN I-III), we found that tumor tissues co-expressing IGF-IR and IGF-II, showed an increase (4.6-fold) in the risk of developing resistance to radiotherapy. The increased expression of the glycolitic enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in these cancer tissues, demonstrated the metabolic shift to glycolisis under hypoxic conditions (Moreno-Acosta et al., 2010). Therefore, targeting IGF-II/IGF-IR signaling may be a desirable option in the treatment of tumors overexpressing the IGF-IR.

#### **3. Biomarkers for cervical cancer**

Biomarkers used for screening in cancer, usually consist of biomolecules that are released from tumors or precancerous lesions into the bloodstream, urine, or other means, they should have the property to survive the metabolic degradation to be measurable (Ahlquist, 2010). Molecular changes that occur in the development of tumors may take several years; some biomarkers can be used to detect early stage disease. However, biomarkers are usually found at relatively low level compared to other biomolecules; research and validation as possible diagnostic tests depend critically on the ability to achieve measurements with high precision and sensitivity.

Several biologic markers or indexes have been studied as potential tools to determine the prognosis and biological behaviour of various types of gynaecological neoplasias. From years the search of cervical cancer biomarkers has been fed through different techniques, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), probably the most affordable and simple technology to detect many such biomarkers (McCluggage, 2002; Munoz et al., 2003). This fact prompted investigators to develop and test antibodies in a widespread range of neoplasic lesions. In this approach, some researchers found a two component system, denominated MaTu, consisting of an exogenous transmissible MX agent (coding for p58X protein) and an endogenous MN (coding for MN-protein) in HeLa cells (Závada et al., 1993). The association between MN protein (MN-p) expression and oncogenesis was suggested by its presence in neoplasms, and not in benign tissue (Brewer et al., 1996; Liao et al., 1994). Because HeLa is a cultured human uterine cervix carcinoma cell line, these authors concluded that MN-p had great use as a tumour marker in the evaluation of cervical carcinoma and could predict progression in precursor cervical intraepithelial neoplasic (CIN) lesions. Nonetheless, its utility was questioned as MN-p inmunostaining was not limited to neoplastic tissue, but found in adjacent basal cell hyperplasia, metaplasias and benign glandular epithelium (Liao et al., 1994; Resnick et al., 1996).

Ki67, a nuclear proliferation associated antigen is expressed in the growth and synthesis phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2, and mitosis) but not in the resting phase, G0. The proportion of cells which express Ki67 (Ki67 index) is an excellent measure of neoplasm proliferation. Production of specific antibodies against recombinant DNA Ki67 antigen (MIB-1) confirmed the definite use of MIB-I immunoreactivity, exhibiting close correlation with CIN grade and providing additional risk prediction beyond HPV type (Resnick et al., 1996). In low-grade CIN, anti-MIB-1 staining is not detected in superficial levels of epithelium, whereas in high-grade CIN full thickness staining is present. The authors´ hypothesis was that viral gene expression undergoes programmed cessation in superficial layers of low-grade CIN; therefore viral E6/E7 protein is no longer present to inhibit p53 and the cells stop cycling (so Ki67 detection through anti-MIB-1 disappears). In high-grade CIN, viral expression of E6/E7 proceeds unabated often in absence of vegetative viral

cancer patients (CIN I-III), we found that tumor tissues co-expressing IGF-IR and IGF-II, showed an increase (4.6-fold) in the risk of developing resistance to radiotherapy. The increased expression of the glycolitic enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in these cancer tissues, demonstrated the metabolic shift to glycolisis under hypoxic conditions (Moreno-Acosta et al., 2010). Therefore, targeting IGF-II/IGF-IR signaling may be a desirable option in the treatment of tumors overexpressing the IGF-IR.

Biomarkers used for screening in cancer, usually consist of biomolecules that are released from tumors or precancerous lesions into the bloodstream, urine, or other means, they should have the property to survive the metabolic degradation to be measurable (Ahlquist, 2010). Molecular changes that occur in the development of tumors may take several years; some biomarkers can be used to detect early stage disease. However, biomarkers are usually found at relatively low level compared to other biomolecules; research and validation as possible diagnostic tests depend critically on the ability to achieve measurements with high

Several biologic markers or indexes have been studied as potential tools to determine the prognosis and biological behaviour of various types of gynaecological neoplasias. From years the search of cervical cancer biomarkers has been fed through different techniques, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), probably the most affordable and simple technology to detect many such biomarkers (McCluggage, 2002; Munoz et al., 2003). This fact prompted investigators to develop and test antibodies in a widespread range of neoplasic lesions. In this approach, some researchers found a two component system, denominated MaTu, consisting of an exogenous transmissible MX agent (coding for p58X protein) and an endogenous MN (coding for MN-protein) in HeLa cells (Závada et al., 1993). The association between MN protein (MN-p) expression and oncogenesis was suggested by its presence in neoplasms, and not in benign tissue (Brewer et al., 1996; Liao et al., 1994). Because HeLa is a cultured human uterine cervix carcinoma cell line, these authors concluded that MN-p had great use as a tumour marker in the evaluation of cervical carcinoma and could predict progression in precursor cervical intraepithelial neoplasic (CIN) lesions. Nonetheless, its utility was questioned as MN-p inmunostaining was not limited to neoplastic tissue, but found in adjacent basal cell hyperplasia, metaplasias and benign glandular epithelium (Liao

Ki67, a nuclear proliferation associated antigen is expressed in the growth and synthesis phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2, and mitosis) but not in the resting phase, G0. The proportion of cells which express Ki67 (Ki67 index) is an excellent measure of neoplasm proliferation. Production of specific antibodies against recombinant DNA Ki67 antigen (MIB-1) confirmed the definite use of MIB-I immunoreactivity, exhibiting close correlation with CIN grade and providing additional risk prediction beyond HPV type (Resnick et al., 1996). In low-grade CIN, anti-MIB-1 staining is not detected in superficial levels of epithelium, whereas in high-grade CIN full thickness staining is present. The authors´ hypothesis was that viral gene expression undergoes programmed cessation in superficial layers of low-grade CIN; therefore viral E6/E7 protein is no longer present to inhibit p53 and the cells stop cycling (so Ki67 detection through anti-MIB-1 disappears). In high-grade CIN, viral expression of E6/E7 proceeds unabated often in absence of vegetative viral

**3. Biomarkers for cervical cancer** 

precision and sensitivity.

et al., 1994; Resnick et al., 1996).

functions leading to inhibition of p53 and uninhibited cell cycling (so Ki67 detection through anti-MIB-1 continues). In contrast with MN-p expression, anti-MIB-1 shows consistent results by most investigators and exhibits definitive, important associations with clinical outcome and basic carcinogenesis hypotheses in the uterine cervix (Costa, 1996).

For several years, it has been known that high vascularity is characteristic of grade 3 CIN and invasive lesions, and angiogenesis has been associated as indicator of prognosis. The onset of angiogenesis in human cervical cancer occurring during the premalignant dysplastic stage is unique. An association between lymphatic high microvessel density with vascular invasion and a lower global survival rate has been described. There is a study demonstrating that microvessel density in carcinomas of the uterine cervix is a factor associated with poor prognosis (Tjalma et al., 1999). The authors showed that during the progression from noninvasive to microinvasive cervical carcinoma, the microvessel density increases significantly. However, the vessel density does not predict recurrence of noninvasive lesions. Once the tumour cells have passed the basal membrane, the tumour apparently switches to an angiogenic phenotype. Angiogenesis becomes a tumour initiator with prognostic potential (Tjalma et al., 1999). Measures of factor VIII, CD31, and vimentin, showed no association between microvessel count and lymph node invasion, depth of invasion, and histological differentiation. Nevertheless, these studies found an association between lymphatic vessel invasion and a larger number of newly formed vessels (Di Leo et al., 1998).

Other studies have proposed anti-CD34 as a marker for evaluating angiogenesis in cervical cancer (Vieira et al., 2004, 2005). Anti-CD34 antibody is a highly sensitive marker for endothelial cell differentiation and has also been studied as a marker for vascular tumours (Stross et al., 1989; Traweek et al., 1991). Vieira et al. (Vieira et al., 2005) showed that this antibody was able to detect a number of microvessels on neoplasm of the uterine cervix better than anti-factor VIII. They suggested that anti-CD34 antibody reactivity in cervical carcinoma is associated with pathoanatomical features, as microvessel density or invasion, indicative of poorer prognosis and greater risk of recurrence (Vieira et al., 2005). Briefly, they showed lymphatic invasion in 40% of the cases, while vascular and perineural invasion was observed in 24% and 19% of the cases, in a population of 62 patients diagnosed with invasive cervical carcinoma, stages Ib and IIa. They also observed that 55% of women whose carcinoma presented high microvessel density had an undifferentiated type of cancer, suggesting that the presence of lymphatic invasion may associate with higher microvessel density. In general, different markers for angiogenesis may or may not present a statistically significant association with different pathoanatomic features of cervical cancer. These possible markers should be tested prospectively as a prognostic and predictive factor of the response to different therapies used in cervical carcinoma.

On the other hand, a recent study explored the power of serum markers such as squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), CYFRA 21-1, CA 125, immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with cervical cancer (Gadducci et al., 2008). Squamous cell carcinoma antigen comprises two similar proteins, SCC-1 and SCC-2, that posses protease inhibitory property: SCC-1 inhibits chymotrypsin and cathepsin L, while SCC-2 inhibits cathepsin G and mast cell chymase. Both proteins exert anti-apoptotic effects. The mechanism of protection of tumour cells from apoptosis involves the inhibition of caspase-3 activity and/or upstream proteases. SCC-1 and SCC-2

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 225

microenvironment where cervical neoplasia arises, it is likely to include proteins produced by the lesion as well as by the host in response to the lesion. Several studies have analyzed peptides and proteins present in human cervical mucous (Dasari et al., 2007; Pereira et al., 2007; Tang et al., 2007). A recent study identified 151 new proteins that included proteins present in the lower female genital tract, such as HBD-2 and cathelicidin, two proteins that play an important role in the innate immunity of the cervicovagina (Zegels et al., 2009). Another recent study on cervical mucous proteome indicated that plasma proteins were abundant in cervical mucous (Panicker et al., 2010). The majority of proteins identified were

In contrast to plasma samples, some authors discuss the advantages of cervical mucous as a potential source of concentrated biomarkers due to lesser dilution of the sample in CVFvaginal washings (volume ±50 mL) in comparison to plasma volume (±3 L) (Good et al., 2007). In addition, altered biomarker expression patterns in plasma are often not very specific, as they may be associated with different pathologies, because plasma comes in contact with all organs of the body. In contrast, when using CVF samples, it is expected that expression patterns will directly correlate with gynaecological pathologies (Zegels et al., 2009). However, it should be taken into account that CVF is a body fluid that can be highly influenced by many biological factors including menstruation, age, infection, sexual intercourse, usage of contraceptives, pregnancy, etc. Moreover, conditions of CVF collection and the experimental proteomic strategy could affect the proteome results. Although there are promising results, studies in biomarkers in body fluids have not reached consensus on

The main potential of proteomics in cancer research is not only derived from individual experiments, but from comparative studies between different types and states of cancer. There is a need to integrate proteomics, genomics and metabolomics with the aim of achieving a functional and comprehensive interpretation of clinical and pathological data. Comparative proteomic studies have provided tools for establishing some molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, either from normal to neoplasic cells, or from cancer models with different malignant phenotypes. Information obtained through proteomic analysis allows building extensive and comprehensive databases leading to discovery of

Metastasis represents the main cause of death in cancer patients; this multi–step process involves the acquisition of migrating and invasive phenotypes, where the plasma membrane displays a fundamental role. Membrane proteomic studies constitute an analytical challenge due to its heterogeneous composition, dynamic physicochemical characteristics and hydrophobicity; however, 60% of therapeutic targets are directed against membrane proteins. The study of well established cancer cell lines with different phenotypes allows the correlation between the IGF axis expression/activation with membrane protein expression measurements. In particular, cellular motility depends on the adaptive response to environment that extensively relies on key molecular elements of the plasma membrane and

Here we present novel results of studies on membrane proteomes of cervical cancer cell lines, differing in viral status and invasive phenotypes: HeLa, an invasive HPV positive cell

cytoskeleton, and therefore usually considered as tumour targets.

categorized under metabolism and immune-response functional groups.

peptides or proteins that have this feature.

**3.1.2 Membrane proteomic studies** 

tumor biomarkers.

reside in the citosol of squamous cells, and their presence in the sera of patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas is mainly due to a passive release rather than an active secretory process into the circulation. Increased SCC levels have been observed in 28-88% of patients with squamous cell cervical cancer. Pre-treatment SCC levels reflect tumour stage and size, cervical stoma invasion, lymph-vascular space status, parametrial involvement and lymph node status; however, its clinical relevance is still debated.

CA 125, an antigenic determinant of a high molecular weight glycoprotein, is recognized by a monoclonal antibody developed against a human ovarian cancer cell line. Elevated CA 125 levels are detectable in 20-75% of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma and have been associated with advanced tumour stage, large tumour size, high histological grade, lymph node involvement and status. CA 125 is detected in normal adult fallopian tube, endometrium, endocervix and peritoneum, and *in vitro* studies showed that CA 125 secretion by human mesothelial cell monolayers may be enhanced by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor. However, the specificity of the antigen is not yet optimal, since elevated serum CA 125 can be found in benign gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, benign nongynaecological conditions, such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, renal failure and pleural effusion and non-gynaecological malignancies, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Serum levels of vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) are often elevated in patients with cervical cancer, and decrease significantly after successful treatment. However, the clinical relevance of serum VEGF is still investigational (Gadducci et al., 2008).

New predictive biomarkers for cervical cancer are still necessary to improve the accuracy of screening and thereby reduce overtreatment and possibly improve cost-effectiveness of the treatment. Advances in molecular biology and high throughput technologies have heralded a new era in identification of biomarkers and molecular targets related to carcinogenesis to improve our understanding of the disease and will facilitate screening, early detection, management, and individualized targeted therapy.

#### **3.1 Proteomic studies**

Proteomics has emerged as a promising tool for unravelling protein signatures that are associated with a particular malignancy that can be useful biomarkers of the disease. Highthroughput technologies like surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS), nanoHPLC-MS/MS or the combination of one- or twodimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE, 2-DE) methods with multidimensional chromatographic separation and MS provide a snapshot of the proteome. Validated protein biomarkers could be useful in early detection of disease, monitoring disease progression or monitoring response to treatment.

#### **3.1.1 Proteomic studies on body fluids**

After exploring markers in tissue, several studies have focused on biomarker discovery in body fluids which would be advantageous for eventual clinical implementation. Cervical mucous or cervical vaginal fluid (CVF) is potentially an ideal sample to screen for biomarkers for early detection of cervical cancer. As cervical mucous is produced in the

reside in the citosol of squamous cells, and their presence in the sera of patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas is mainly due to a passive release rather than an active secretory process into the circulation. Increased SCC levels have been observed in 28-88% of patients with squamous cell cervical cancer. Pre-treatment SCC levels reflect tumour stage and size, cervical stoma invasion, lymph-vascular space status, parametrial involvement

CA 125, an antigenic determinant of a high molecular weight glycoprotein, is recognized by a monoclonal antibody developed against a human ovarian cancer cell line. Elevated CA 125 levels are detectable in 20-75% of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma and have been associated with advanced tumour stage, large tumour size, high histological grade, lymph node involvement and status. CA 125 is detected in normal adult fallopian tube, endometrium, endocervix and peritoneum, and *in vitro* studies showed that CA 125 secretion by human mesothelial cell monolayers may be enhanced by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor. However, the specificity of the antigen is not yet optimal, since elevated serum CA 125 can be found in benign gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, benign nongynaecological conditions, such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, renal failure and pleural effusion and non-gynaecological malignancies, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-

Serum levels of vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) are often elevated in patients with cervical cancer, and decrease significantly after successful treatment. However, the clinical

New predictive biomarkers for cervical cancer are still necessary to improve the accuracy of screening and thereby reduce overtreatment and possibly improve cost-effectiveness of the treatment. Advances in molecular biology and high throughput technologies have heralded a new era in identification of biomarkers and molecular targets related to carcinogenesis to improve our understanding of the disease and will facilitate screening, early detection,

Proteomics has emerged as a promising tool for unravelling protein signatures that are associated with a particular malignancy that can be useful biomarkers of the disease. Highthroughput technologies like surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS), nanoHPLC-MS/MS or the combination of one- or twodimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE, 2-DE) methods with multidimensional chromatographic separation and MS provide a snapshot of the proteome. Validated protein biomarkers could be useful in early detection of disease, monitoring disease progression or

After exploring markers in tissue, several studies have focused on biomarker discovery in body fluids which would be advantageous for eventual clinical implementation. Cervical mucous or cervical vaginal fluid (CVF) is potentially an ideal sample to screen for biomarkers for early detection of cervical cancer. As cervical mucous is produced in the

and lymph node status; however, its clinical relevance is still debated.

relevance of serum VEGF is still investigational (Gadducci et al., 2008).

management, and individualized targeted therapy.

Hodgkin's lymphoma.

**3.1 Proteomic studies** 

monitoring response to treatment.

**3.1.1 Proteomic studies on body fluids** 

microenvironment where cervical neoplasia arises, it is likely to include proteins produced by the lesion as well as by the host in response to the lesion. Several studies have analyzed peptides and proteins present in human cervical mucous (Dasari et al., 2007; Pereira et al., 2007; Tang et al., 2007). A recent study identified 151 new proteins that included proteins present in the lower female genital tract, such as HBD-2 and cathelicidin, two proteins that play an important role in the innate immunity of the cervicovagina (Zegels et al., 2009). Another recent study on cervical mucous proteome indicated that plasma proteins were abundant in cervical mucous (Panicker et al., 2010). The majority of proteins identified were categorized under metabolism and immune-response functional groups.

In contrast to plasma samples, some authors discuss the advantages of cervical mucous as a potential source of concentrated biomarkers due to lesser dilution of the sample in CVFvaginal washings (volume ±50 mL) in comparison to plasma volume (±3 L) (Good et al., 2007). In addition, altered biomarker expression patterns in plasma are often not very specific, as they may be associated with different pathologies, because plasma comes in contact with all organs of the body. In contrast, when using CVF samples, it is expected that expression patterns will directly correlate with gynaecological pathologies (Zegels et al., 2009). However, it should be taken into account that CVF is a body fluid that can be highly influenced by many biological factors including menstruation, age, infection, sexual intercourse, usage of contraceptives, pregnancy, etc. Moreover, conditions of CVF collection and the experimental proteomic strategy could affect the proteome results. Although there are promising results, studies in biomarkers in body fluids have not reached consensus on peptides or proteins that have this feature.

#### **3.1.2 Membrane proteomic studies**

The main potential of proteomics in cancer research is not only derived from individual experiments, but from comparative studies between different types and states of cancer. There is a need to integrate proteomics, genomics and metabolomics with the aim of achieving a functional and comprehensive interpretation of clinical and pathological data. Comparative proteomic studies have provided tools for establishing some molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, either from normal to neoplasic cells, or from cancer models with different malignant phenotypes. Information obtained through proteomic analysis allows building extensive and comprehensive databases leading to discovery of tumor biomarkers.

Metastasis represents the main cause of death in cancer patients; this multi–step process involves the acquisition of migrating and invasive phenotypes, where the plasma membrane displays a fundamental role. Membrane proteomic studies constitute an analytical challenge due to its heterogeneous composition, dynamic physicochemical characteristics and hydrophobicity; however, 60% of therapeutic targets are directed against membrane proteins. The study of well established cancer cell lines with different phenotypes allows the correlation between the IGF axis expression/activation with membrane protein expression measurements. In particular, cellular motility depends on the adaptive response to environment that extensively relies on key molecular elements of the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton, and therefore usually considered as tumour targets.

Here we present novel results of studies on membrane proteomes of cervical cancer cell lines, differing in viral status and invasive phenotypes: HeLa, an invasive HPV positive cell

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 227

Frequently, whole proteomic profiles do not represent the complete map of the expressed proteins in a cell at a given moment; the concentration of some proteins can mask others less abundant but with pivotal biological roles. Study of sub-cellular compartments could improve the identification of a higher number of proteins and consequently a more efficient detection of therapeutic targets. We obtained enriched protein membrane extracts from HeLa and C33-A cells by cell surface biotin labelling followed by avidin purification and

We detected 351 spots in HeLa sub-proteome, out of which 207 spots (41%) were present in the whole proteome and 144 spots corresponded to new proteins not visualized in the total proteome. With respect to C33-A, 395 spots were found in the membrane proteome where 170 spots (43%) matched with the total proteome; additionally 255 new spots were detected. Furthermore, comparison of membrane-enriched proteomes, showed a 58% match between the two cell lines with 272 common proteins, out of which, 86 proteins were found to be differentially expressed (>3-fold). The invasive abilities of HeLa in opposition to C33-A cells,

In order to identify a higher number of proteins and overcome the limitations associated with the separation of membrane proteins by bi-dimensional electrophoresis, we conducted a multidimensional analysis of enriched membrane fractions. Proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, each lane in the gel was cut and divided in equal fragments and digested with trypsin. The peptides were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) and analyzed in a hybrid quadrupole mass spectrometer–time of flight (Q-TOF) instrument. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using Mascot Distiler® and Proteome Software Scaffold, which allowed the identification of 44 and 56 proteins in HeLa and C33-A

Results showed a differential or exclusive protein expression profile that correlated with cell phenotype. We identified 33 proteins exclusively expressed in C33-A cells that corresponded to cell cycle regulation, metabolism, stress response and immune system evasion, more related to a proliferative non-invasive phenotype. Meanwhile, 22 proteins exclusively expressed in HeLa cells, where mainly involved in cytoskeleton remodelling and associated with cell motility, according to the invasive phenotype. Among the new identified proteins, the more relevant in the regulation of metastatic properties, include: Filamin A and B, Myoferlin and the CD44 - Moesin complex, which have been previously associated with cell adhesion and tumour progression (Feng & Walsh, 2004; Ravid et al.,

To explore the relationships between the identified proteins and the IGF system, we used the STRING 8.3 database to examine the known or predicted protein-protein interactions among them. The interaction network was built including all the previously identified proteins in the membrane proteome and the members of the IGF system. The interaction network obtained for HeLa cells is visualized in Fig. 4. This analysis confirmed the interaction of some components of the membrane with members of the IGF family, and suggests a potential role in the promotion of the invasive phenotype display by these cells. In particular, this analysis confirmed a direct interaction between IGFBP-3 and the CD44 - Moesin complex, associated with cell adhesion and tumor progression, meaning a promising target for cervical cancer invasion and metastasis control. In conclusion, our

separation by 2-DE to obtain the corresponding membrane proteomes (Fig. 3 C, D).

may be related to the observed differences in the membrane protein profile.

fractions, respectively.

2008; Bernatchez et al., 2007).

line, and C33-A, a non-invasive HPV negative cell line (Garay et al., 2010). C33-A cells express almost exclusively IR-A while HeLa express IGF-IR, IR-A and IR-B. Functional assays showed that IGF-I and IGF-II stimulate migration and invasion in HeLa but not in C33-A cervical cancer cells. In order to make comparisons between proteomic maps, we obtained proteomic maps of the two cell lines by two–dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and used the PDQuest (Bio-Rad®) and Progenesis SameSpot (Nonlinear Dynamics Ltd) softwares, to perform between-gel spot comparisons (Fig. 3 A,B). A total of 641 spots in C33- A and 493 spots in HeLa proteomes were identified, with 399 spots matching between the two cell lines. This means that the whole proteomic profiles of cervical adenocarcinoma and cervical carcinoma cells share 80% of similarity, suggesting that the differences in occurrence, prognosis, dissemination and recurrence after treatment, may be related to a limited number of proteins and their relative distribution and expression.

Fig. 3. Proteomes and sub-proteomes of cervical cancer cells. Whole protein extracts from HeLa (A) and C33-A (B) and enriched membrane extracts from HeLa (C) and C33-A (D) were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) on IPG NL strips pH 3-10 followed by SDS-PAGE and stained with colloidal Coomassie Blue.

line, and C33-A, a non-invasive HPV negative cell line (Garay et al., 2010). C33-A cells express almost exclusively IR-A while HeLa express IGF-IR, IR-A and IR-B. Functional assays showed that IGF-I and IGF-II stimulate migration and invasion in HeLa but not in C33-A cervical cancer cells. In order to make comparisons between proteomic maps, we obtained proteomic maps of the two cell lines by two–dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and used the PDQuest (Bio-Rad®) and Progenesis SameSpot (Nonlinear Dynamics Ltd) softwares, to perform between-gel spot comparisons (Fig. 3 A,B). A total of 641 spots in C33- A and 493 spots in HeLa proteomes were identified, with 399 spots matching between the two cell lines. This means that the whole proteomic profiles of cervical adenocarcinoma and cervical carcinoma cells share 80% of similarity, suggesting that the differences in occurrence, prognosis, dissemination and recurrence after treatment, may be related to a

limited number of proteins and their relative distribution and expression.

215 M.W. (kDa) 120 84,0

215 M.W. (kDa) 120 84,0

60,0

39,2

28,0 18,3

205 M.W. (kDa)

> 66,0 55,0 30,0

> 45,0 80,0 97,0

> 21,0

14,0

6,5

pH 3 pH 10

<sup>116</sup> <sup>205</sup>

60,0

39,2 28,0

18,3

66,0 55,0 80,0 97,0 116

45,0 30,0 21,0

14,0

6,5 pH 3 pH 10 pH 3 pH 10

followed by SDS-PAGE and stained with colloidal Coomassie Blue.

Fig. 3. Proteomes and sub-proteomes of cervical cancer cells. Whole protein extracts from HeLa (A) and C33-A (B) and enriched membrane extracts from HeLa (C) and C33-A (D) were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) on IPG NL strips pH 3-10

M.W. (kDa)

**A. B.**

**C. D.**

pH 3 pH 10

Frequently, whole proteomic profiles do not represent the complete map of the expressed proteins in a cell at a given moment; the concentration of some proteins can mask others less abundant but with pivotal biological roles. Study of sub-cellular compartments could improve the identification of a higher number of proteins and consequently a more efficient detection of therapeutic targets. We obtained enriched protein membrane extracts from HeLa and C33-A cells by cell surface biotin labelling followed by avidin purification and separation by 2-DE to obtain the corresponding membrane proteomes (Fig. 3 C, D).

We detected 351 spots in HeLa sub-proteome, out of which 207 spots (41%) were present in the whole proteome and 144 spots corresponded to new proteins not visualized in the total proteome. With respect to C33-A, 395 spots were found in the membrane proteome where 170 spots (43%) matched with the total proteome; additionally 255 new spots were detected. Furthermore, comparison of membrane-enriched proteomes, showed a 58% match between the two cell lines with 272 common proteins, out of which, 86 proteins were found to be differentially expressed (>3-fold). The invasive abilities of HeLa in opposition to C33-A cells, may be related to the observed differences in the membrane protein profile.

In order to identify a higher number of proteins and overcome the limitations associated with the separation of membrane proteins by bi-dimensional electrophoresis, we conducted a multidimensional analysis of enriched membrane fractions. Proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, each lane in the gel was cut and divided in equal fragments and digested with trypsin. The peptides were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) and analyzed in a hybrid quadrupole mass spectrometer–time of flight (Q-TOF) instrument. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using Mascot Distiler® and Proteome Software Scaffold, which allowed the identification of 44 and 56 proteins in HeLa and C33-A fractions, respectively.

Results showed a differential or exclusive protein expression profile that correlated with cell phenotype. We identified 33 proteins exclusively expressed in C33-A cells that corresponded to cell cycle regulation, metabolism, stress response and immune system evasion, more related to a proliferative non-invasive phenotype. Meanwhile, 22 proteins exclusively expressed in HeLa cells, where mainly involved in cytoskeleton remodelling and associated with cell motility, according to the invasive phenotype. Among the new identified proteins, the more relevant in the regulation of metastatic properties, include: Filamin A and B, Myoferlin and the CD44 - Moesin complex, which have been previously associated with cell adhesion and tumour progression (Feng & Walsh, 2004; Ravid et al., 2008; Bernatchez et al., 2007).

To explore the relationships between the identified proteins and the IGF system, we used the STRING 8.3 database to examine the known or predicted protein-protein interactions among them. The interaction network was built including all the previously identified proteins in the membrane proteome and the members of the IGF system. The interaction network obtained for HeLa cells is visualized in Fig. 4. This analysis confirmed the interaction of some components of the membrane with members of the IGF family, and suggests a potential role in the promotion of the invasive phenotype display by these cells. In particular, this analysis confirmed a direct interaction between IGFBP-3 and the CD44 - Moesin complex, associated with cell adhesion and tumor progression, meaning a promising target for cervical cancer invasion and metastasis control. In conclusion, our

New Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer - Perspectives from the IGF System 229

promising targets for cervical cancer invasion and metastasis control and source of valuable biomarkers of the disease, as deduced from the proteomic approach of membrane targets. Advances in molecular biology and high throughput technologies will improve our understanding of the disease and the search for reliable biomarkers that will facilitate

This work was supported by the Research Council of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Grants No. 9173 and 9478) and Colciencias, Colombia (Grant 110145221052). We thank Dr. Patricia Cuervo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Dr. Gilberto B. Domont, Universidade Federal de Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the helpful support

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**5. Acknowledgment** 

with the proteomic studies.

**6. References** 

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Fig. 4. Protein-protein interaction network representing the associations between the IGF system and identified membrane proteins expressed by the cervical cancer HeLa cell line. The network is visualized by STRING 8.3 database. Each circle represents an individual protein with the recognized abbreviated name. Connecting lines represent association.

approach is unique as it considers the IGF receptors in a wider context within a protein network, and shows that the membrane is a rich reservoir for potential targets for cancer.

#### **4. Conclusion**

The evidence reviewed above shows that the IGF system plays a central role in many aspects of the development and progression of cervical cancer. The effects of components of the IGF axis in cervical carcinogenesis share some similarities with those observed in other types of cancer, however, clear differences exist that reflect specificities, possibly due to associations with oncogenic and nononcogenic HPV. The available data support dysregulation of the IGF system expression and signaling, that could promote the progression to a malignant phenotype. It is plausible to consider these molecules as promising targets for cervical cancer invasion and metastasis control and source of valuable biomarkers of the disease, as deduced from the proteomic approach of membrane targets. Advances in molecular biology and high throughput technologies will improve our understanding of the disease and the search for reliable biomarkers that will facilitate screening, early detection, management, and individualized targeted therapy.

#### **5. Acknowledgment**

228 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Fig. 4. Protein-protein interaction network representing the associations between the IGF system and identified membrane proteins expressed by the cervical cancer HeLa cell line. The network is visualized by STRING 8.3 database. Each circle represents an individual protein with the recognized abbreviated name. Connecting lines represent association.

approach is unique as it considers the IGF receptors in a wider context within a protein network, and shows that the membrane is a rich reservoir for potential targets for cancer.

The evidence reviewed above shows that the IGF system plays a central role in many aspects of the development and progression of cervical cancer. The effects of components of the IGF axis in cervical carcinogenesis share some similarities with those observed in other types of cancer, however, clear differences exist that reflect specificities, possibly due to associations with oncogenic and nononcogenic HPV. The available data support dysregulation of the IGF system expression and signaling, that could promote the progression to a malignant phenotype. It is plausible to consider these molecules as

**4. Conclusion** 

This work was supported by the Research Council of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Grants No. 9173 and 9478) and Colciencias, Colombia (Grant 110145221052). We thank Dr. Patricia Cuervo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Dr. Gilberto B. Domont, Universidade Federal de Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the helpful support with the proteomic studies.

#### **6. References**


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**14** 

*University of Indonesia* 

*Indonesia* 

**HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection,** 

Usman Sumo Friend Tambunan and Arli Aditya Parikesit *Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Science,* 

**Drug Design and Prevention Agent evelopment** 

Viral infection is a very serious threat to humanity. It causes malicious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, dengue, and Avian Influenza, therefore, novel method in virology to combat the viral infection is necessary. Bioinformatics provides outstanding tools for developing vaccines, PCR primers, mutation detection and drugs based design on genetic engineering principles. Those tools are mostly freeware. Algorithm from the computer science has made major contribution to them. Bioinformatics experiment greatly reduces the cost and time in wet laboratory experiment. Our lab has successfully designed PCR primers, vaccine, and mutations prediction. The vaccine design is elaborated for Dengue and HPV. The design has BLAST homology of more than 90%, and RSMD value of 0.1. Those data shown, that the

However, their efficacy should be verified in the wet laboratory experiment. The future of medicine will greatly be shaped by advancement in bioinformatics (Tambunan et al, 2010). Moreover, we need to emphasize the needs to understand more about HPV genome and its

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of sexually transmitted, double-stranded DNA viruses with over 100 different genotypes identified till date. It is associated with many different types of cancers including cervical, vaginal, head and neck, penile and anal cancer. With approximately 450,000 newly diagnosed cases each year and a 50% mortality rate, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide and it is almost always associated with HPV. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer of women in most developing countries, where it may account for as many

HPV genotypes are divided into the low risk and high risk categories based on the spectrum of lesions they induce. The low-risk types induce only benign genital warts and include HPV 6 and 11. The high-risk group containing HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45 and 56 is associated with the development of anogenital cancers and can be detected in 99% of cervical cancers ,

A consistently effective and safe treatment for HPV infections is currently not yet available. Present therapeutic options are more directed at surgical eradication and/or by destroying

design have identical structure with the native viral protein.

**1. Introduction** 

protein expression.

as one fourth of female cancers.

with HPV16 found in 50% of cases.

specimens. *International Journal of Cancer*, Vol.54, No.2, (May 1993), pp.268-274, Online ISSN 1097-0215

Zegels, G., Van Raemdonk, G.A., Coen, E.P., Tjalma, W.A., Van Ostade, X.W. (2009). Comprehensive proteomic analysis of human cervical-vaginal fluid using colposcopy samples. Proteome Science, Vol.7, (April 2009), pp.17, ISSN 1477-5956

### **HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent evelopment**

Usman Sumo Friend Tambunan and Arli Aditya Parikesit *Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, University of Indonesia Indonesia* 

#### **1. Introduction**

236 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Zegels, G., Van Raemdonk, G.A., Coen, E.P., Tjalma, W.A., Van Ostade, X.W. (2009).

Online ISSN 1097-0215

specimens. *International Journal of Cancer*, Vol.54, No.2, (May 1993), pp.268-274,

Comprehensive proteomic analysis of human cervical-vaginal fluid using colposcopy samples. Proteome Science, Vol.7, (April 2009), pp.17, ISSN 1477-5956

> Viral infection is a very serious threat to humanity. It causes malicious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, dengue, and Avian Influenza, therefore, novel method in virology to combat the viral infection is necessary. Bioinformatics provides outstanding tools for developing vaccines, PCR primers, mutation detection and drugs based design on genetic engineering principles. Those tools are mostly freeware. Algorithm from the computer science has made major contribution to them. Bioinformatics experiment greatly reduces the cost and time in wet laboratory experiment. Our lab has successfully designed PCR primers, vaccine, and mutations prediction. The vaccine design is elaborated for Dengue and HPV. The design has BLAST homology of more than 90%, and RSMD value of 0.1. Those data shown, that the design have identical structure with the native viral protein.

> However, their efficacy should be verified in the wet laboratory experiment. The future of medicine will greatly be shaped by advancement in bioinformatics (Tambunan et al, 2010). Moreover, we need to emphasize the needs to understand more about HPV genome and its protein expression.

> The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of sexually transmitted, double-stranded DNA viruses with over 100 different genotypes identified till date. It is associated with many different types of cancers including cervical, vaginal, head and neck, penile and anal cancer. With approximately 450,000 newly diagnosed cases each year and a 50% mortality rate, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide and it is almost always associated with HPV. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer of women in most developing countries, where it may account for as many as one fourth of female cancers.

> HPV genotypes are divided into the low risk and high risk categories based on the spectrum of lesions they induce. The low-risk types induce only benign genital warts and include HPV 6 and 11. The high-risk group containing HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45 and 56 is associated with the development of anogenital cancers and can be detected in 99% of cervical cancers , with HPV16 found in 50% of cases.

> A consistently effective and safe treatment for HPV infections is currently not yet available. Present therapeutic options are more directed at surgical eradication and/or by destroying

HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 239

genome sequences were submitted to virtual hybridization analysis on a DNA chip with 342 probes. This Universal Fingerprinting Chip (UFC) constitutes a representative set of probes of all the possible 8-mer sequences having at least two internal and non-contiguous sequence differences between all them. A virtual hybridization analysis was performed in order to find the fingerprinting pattern that represents the signals produced for the hybridization of the probes allowing at most a single mismatch. All the fingerprints for each virus were compared against each other in order to obtain all the pairwise distances measures. A match-extension strategy was applied to identify only the shared signals corresponding to the hybridization of the probes with homologous sequences between two HPV genomes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from the fingerprint distances using the Neighbor-Joining algorithm implemented in the program Phylip 3.61. This tree was compared with that produced from the alignment of whole genome HPV sequences calculated with the program Clustal\_X 1.83. The similarities between both trees are suggesting that the UFC-8 is able to discriminate accurately between viral genomes. A fingerprint comparative analysis suggests that the UFC-8 can differentiate between HPV

Kaladhar and his group are working on annotation HPV-92 genome. Most of the biologists focus to explore innovations of their research in faster rate using developments in Information technology. The gene identification, characterization and modeling of the proteins in HPV 92 is done using bioinformatics tools. A complete genome of HPV-92 with NCBI's accession number NC\_004500 was submitted to FGENES V0, a viral gene prediction server, predicts six genes. These six genes are characterized as E6 oncoprotein, E7 oncoprotein, E1 Replication protein, E2 Regulatory protein, L1 major capsid protein and L2 minor capsid protein. Isoelectric points and Molecular weights of all the six proteins vary largely and the modeled structures are shown. The research can provide characterization and modeling of genome which can further implemented in drug designing methods using

Eom and his group has interesting approach towards mapping HPV genome. They are using genetic mining algorithm. Classifying the type of HPV is very important to the treat of cervical cancer. The machine learning approach to mine the structure of HPV DNA sequence for effective classification of the HPV risk types has been introduced. The most informative subsequence segment sets and its weights with genetic algorithm to classify the risk types of each HPV has been determined and learnt. To resolve the problem of computational complexity of genetic algorithm, distributed intelligent data engineering platform based on active grid concept called IDEA@Home was used. The proposed genetic mining method, with the described platform, shows about 85.6% classification accuracy

Lee and his groups are using in silico DNA microarry for detecting HPV genome. DNA microarrays are widely used techniques in molecular biology and DNA computing area. It consists of the DNA sequences called probes, which are DNA complementaries to the genes of interest, on solid surfaces. And its reliability seriously depends on the quality of the probe sequences. Therefore, one must carefully choose the probe sets in target sequences. The probe design for DNA microarrays was formulated as the multi-objective optimization problem. Multi-objective evolutionary approach was proposed, which is known to be suitable for this kind of optimization problem. Since a multi-objective evolutionary

types and subtypes ( Méndez-Tenorio *et al,* 2006)

bioinformatics tools (Kaladhar et al, 2010).

with relatively fast mining speed (Eom et al, 2004).

malignant lesions via physical or chemotherapeutical intervention. A majority of these treatments have been developed empirically, few have been thoroughly tested, but none of them are completely satisfactory. In attemps to find additional drugs in the treatment of cervical cancer, inhibitors of the histone deacetylases have received much attention due to their low cytotoxic profiles (Tambunan et al, 2010).

Elaborating a methodological comparison between our computational approaches with the other bioinformatics labs. We will not compare our method directly with wet labs, because our method is developed to supplement it. Our objective is to find the optimal in silico HPV therapeutic design, and implement it in the wet laboratory.

#### **2. In silico HPV related research**

#### **2.1 Detection of HPV genome**

This section will elaborate more on HPV Genome Annotation. The conserved region of HPV Genome needs to be annotated, in order to design a useful detection tools. Conventional method of detecting cervical cancer is done by carrying out cytological examination, which is more widely known as Pap smear. Due to rapid advancement of molecular biology, molecular based diagnostic and early detection methods on cervical cancer has been highly developed to replace conventional method of detection. Examples include polymerases chain reaction (PCR) and hybrid capture 1, 2 and 3. Hybrid capture 1 is liquid hybridization assaying method designed to detect 14 types of HPV, 9 of which are high risk (type 16, 18,31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, 56), while the other 5 are low risk (type 6, 11, 42, 43, and 44). Hybrid capture 2 is a development of hybrid capture 1 which uses microtitre plates instead of tubes and is capable of detecting four additional types of viral oncogenic (type 39, 58, 59, and 68) (Clavel *et al*, 1998). Hybrid capture 3, similar to previous hybrid capture tests, relies on the formation of target HPV DNA-RNA probe heteroduplexes during the hybridization step in specimens containing sufficient HPV DNA. The chemiluminescent detection of these hybrids is by adding an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated monoclonal antibody, specific to the DNA-RNA complexes with dioxetane substrate in a 96-well enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format (Lorinze and Anthony, 2001). Most of the above mentioned methods are spesific, sensitive, reliable, and easy to perform. Moreover, its routine application has been very much improved by the use of non-radioactive enzyme immunoassay detection procedure (Clavel *et al*, 1998). Modification of the Hybrid Capture method is expected to be achieved through the use of a customized oligonucleotide probe able to detect multiple high-risk HPV infection.

There are 10 genes encoded in HPV genome. These gene may be classified into two groups, namely Gene E (early) which encodes regulatory proteins and Gene L (late) which encodes structural proteins. The region of L1 and L2 of Gene L is responsible for encoding capsid protein to be used as DNA envelope in HPV. The capsid protein will serves as protection system to HPV genetic materials. It is generally assumed that there are many nucleotides sequence in the region of L1 and L2 that is conserved throughout the evolution process of HPV (Dahlgren, 2005).

#### **2.1.1 Other labs approach**

Mendez-Tenorio and his group were using DNA fingerprinting. Identification of microorganisms by whole genome DNA fingerprinting was tested "in silico". 94 HPV

malignant lesions via physical or chemotherapeutical intervention. A majority of these treatments have been developed empirically, few have been thoroughly tested, but none of them are completely satisfactory. In attemps to find additional drugs in the treatment of cervical cancer, inhibitors of the histone deacetylases have received much attention due to

Elaborating a methodological comparison between our computational approaches with the other bioinformatics labs. We will not compare our method directly with wet labs, because our method is developed to supplement it. Our objective is to find the optimal in silico HPV

This section will elaborate more on HPV Genome Annotation. The conserved region of HPV Genome needs to be annotated, in order to design a useful detection tools. Conventional method of detecting cervical cancer is done by carrying out cytological examination, which is more widely known as Pap smear. Due to rapid advancement of molecular biology, molecular based diagnostic and early detection methods on cervical cancer has been highly developed to replace conventional method of detection. Examples include polymerases chain reaction (PCR) and hybrid capture 1, 2 and 3. Hybrid capture 1 is liquid hybridization assaying method designed to detect 14 types of HPV, 9 of which are high risk (type 16, 18,31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, 56), while the other 5 are low risk (type 6, 11, 42, 43, and 44). Hybrid capture 2 is a development of hybrid capture 1 which uses microtitre plates instead of tubes and is capable of detecting four additional types of viral oncogenic (type 39, 58, 59, and 68) (Clavel *et al*, 1998). Hybrid capture 3, similar to previous hybrid capture tests, relies on the formation of target HPV DNA-RNA probe heteroduplexes during the hybridization step in specimens containing sufficient HPV DNA. The chemiluminescent detection of these hybrids is by adding an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated monoclonal antibody, specific to the DNA-RNA complexes with dioxetane substrate in a 96-well enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format (Lorinze and Anthony, 2001). Most of the above mentioned methods are spesific, sensitive, reliable, and easy to perform. Moreover, its routine application has been very much improved by the use of non-radioactive enzyme immunoassay detection procedure (Clavel *et al*, 1998). Modification of the Hybrid Capture method is expected to be achieved through the use of a customized

There are 10 genes encoded in HPV genome. These gene may be classified into two groups, namely Gene E (early) which encodes regulatory proteins and Gene L (late) which encodes structural proteins. The region of L1 and L2 of Gene L is responsible for encoding capsid protein to be used as DNA envelope in HPV. The capsid protein will serves as protection system to HPV genetic materials. It is generally assumed that there are many nucleotides sequence in the region of L1 and L2 that is conserved throughout the evolution process of

Mendez-Tenorio and his group were using DNA fingerprinting. Identification of microorganisms by whole genome DNA fingerprinting was tested "in silico". 94 HPV

their low cytotoxic profiles (Tambunan et al, 2010).

**2. In silico HPV related research** 

**2.1 Detection of HPV genome** 

HPV (Dahlgren, 2005).

**2.1.1 Other labs approach** 

therapeutic design, and implement it in the wet laboratory.

oligonucleotide probe able to detect multiple high-risk HPV infection.

genome sequences were submitted to virtual hybridization analysis on a DNA chip with 342 probes. This Universal Fingerprinting Chip (UFC) constitutes a representative set of probes of all the possible 8-mer sequences having at least two internal and non-contiguous sequence differences between all them. A virtual hybridization analysis was performed in order to find the fingerprinting pattern that represents the signals produced for the hybridization of the probes allowing at most a single mismatch. All the fingerprints for each virus were compared against each other in order to obtain all the pairwise distances measures. A match-extension strategy was applied to identify only the shared signals corresponding to the hybridization of the probes with homologous sequences between two HPV genomes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from the fingerprint distances using the Neighbor-Joining algorithm implemented in the program Phylip 3.61. This tree was compared with that produced from the alignment of whole genome HPV sequences calculated with the program Clustal\_X 1.83. The similarities between both trees are suggesting that the UFC-8 is able to discriminate accurately between viral genomes. A fingerprint comparative analysis suggests that the UFC-8 can differentiate between HPV types and subtypes ( Méndez-Tenorio *et al,* 2006)

Kaladhar and his group are working on annotation HPV-92 genome. Most of the biologists focus to explore innovations of their research in faster rate using developments in Information technology. The gene identification, characterization and modeling of the proteins in HPV 92 is done using bioinformatics tools. A complete genome of HPV-92 with NCBI's accession number NC\_004500 was submitted to FGENES V0, a viral gene prediction server, predicts six genes. These six genes are characterized as E6 oncoprotein, E7 oncoprotein, E1 Replication protein, E2 Regulatory protein, L1 major capsid protein and L2 minor capsid protein. Isoelectric points and Molecular weights of all the six proteins vary largely and the modeled structures are shown. The research can provide characterization and modeling of genome which can further implemented in drug designing methods using bioinformatics tools (Kaladhar et al, 2010).

Eom and his group has interesting approach towards mapping HPV genome. They are using genetic mining algorithm. Classifying the type of HPV is very important to the treat of cervical cancer. The machine learning approach to mine the structure of HPV DNA sequence for effective classification of the HPV risk types has been introduced. The most informative subsequence segment sets and its weights with genetic algorithm to classify the risk types of each HPV has been determined and learnt. To resolve the problem of computational complexity of genetic algorithm, distributed intelligent data engineering platform based on active grid concept called IDEA@Home was used. The proposed genetic mining method, with the described platform, shows about 85.6% classification accuracy with relatively fast mining speed (Eom et al, 2004).

Lee and his groups are using in silico DNA microarry for detecting HPV genome. DNA microarrays are widely used techniques in molecular biology and DNA computing area. It consists of the DNA sequences called probes, which are DNA complementaries to the genes of interest, on solid surfaces. And its reliability seriously depends on the quality of the probe sequences. Therefore, one must carefully choose the probe sets in target sequences. The probe design for DNA microarrays was formulated as the multi-objective optimization problem. Multi-objective evolutionary approach was proposed, which is known to be suitable for this kind of optimization problem. Since a multi-objective evolutionary

HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 241

Table 1. Conserved regions selected as templates

algorithm can find multiple solutions at a time, thermodynamic criteria was used to choose the most suitable one. For the experiments, the probe set generated by the proposed method is compared to the sequences used in commercial microarrays, which detects a set of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The comparison result supports that the approach can be useful to optimize probe sequences (Lee et al, 2004).

#### **2.1.2 Our approach**

The aim of our study was to determine the conserved regions of late genes L1 and L2 from 74 sequenced and published HPV genome (Icenogle, 1995). The result was used to predict candidate template for oligonucleotide probes that are specific on types of HPV, which cause cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the spesific purpose of this study is to design primer that is able to detach on the open reading frame region and also to develop a new assay for the detection of high risk HPV DNA.

This study was carried out to determine the conserved regions of late genes from sequenced HPV types. HPV genome sequences were collected from the Los Alamos National Laboratory *papillomavirus* database. There are 74 types of HPV in the database, which have completely documented genome sequences as well as their translation product. Specific types of HPV, which may cause cervical cancer, are grouped into high risk or low risk, according to their risk potential. This classification may differ from one research methodology to another. In order to access a representative classification, three sets of classification were studied for this research. HPV type 16 and 18 are consistently grouped as high risk, while other types of HPV varied randomly. Sequence alignment was taken and the result shows 62 conserved regions as a primer template for L1 and L2 genes. These conserved regions were then subjected to BLASTn operation in order to search the conserved region with least similarity to low risk HPV and human genome.

Finally, 7 selected conserved regions were examined for secondary structures using NetPrimer program. From this operation, only region 52 (5'- ACAGGCTATGGTGCTATGGA-3') met the criteria to be used as an oligonucleotide primer (Tambunan et al, 2007).

Oligonucleotide primers are considered based upon certain properties, namely: they must not have potential secondary structures such as hairpins or dimmers have a GC content of 45-60%; have a Tm between 52-58%; their 5' ends stability has to be greater than the stability of their 3' ends; be 17-25 nucleotides in length. From NetPrimer analysis results of seven regions, only region 52 meet with the above mentioned criteria. with a NetPrimer rating of 100 (maxium) (Tambunan et al, 2007). The result is shown in table 1. Based on sequence similarity, 62 conserved regions were found. Out of the 62, 7 regions were then used as templates for primers used in detection of high and low risk HPV. From the 7 template candidates, only one met the criteria to be used as an oligonucleotide primer, namely region 52. From the study, region 52 is predicted to be selective to be used in the detection of oncogenic Human *papillomavirus.*

#### **2.2 HPV vaccine design and its post translation studies**

A new paradigm of vaccine design is now emerging, following essential discoveries in immunology and the development of bioinformatics tools for T-cell epitope prediction from

algorithm can find multiple solutions at a time, thermodynamic criteria was used to choose the most suitable one. For the experiments, the probe set generated by the proposed method is compared to the sequences used in commercial microarrays, which detects a set of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The comparison result supports that the approach can be

The aim of our study was to determine the conserved regions of late genes L1 and L2 from 74 sequenced and published HPV genome (Icenogle, 1995). The result was used to predict candidate template for oligonucleotide probes that are specific on types of HPV, which cause cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the spesific purpose of this study is to design primer that is able to detach on the open reading frame region and also to develop a new assay for

This study was carried out to determine the conserved regions of late genes from sequenced HPV types. HPV genome sequences were collected from the Los Alamos National Laboratory *papillomavirus* database. There are 74 types of HPV in the database, which have completely documented genome sequences as well as their translation product. Specific types of HPV, which may cause cervical cancer, are grouped into high risk or low risk, according to their risk potential. This classification may differ from one research methodology to another. In order to access a representative classification, three sets of classification were studied for this research. HPV type 16 and 18 are consistently grouped as high risk, while other types of HPV varied randomly. Sequence alignment was taken and the result shows 62 conserved regions as a primer template for L1 and L2 genes. These conserved regions were then subjected to BLASTn operation in order to search the

Finally, 7 selected conserved regions were examined for secondary structures using NetPrimer program. From this operation, only region 52 (5'- ACAGGCTATGGTGCTATGGA-3') met the criteria to be used as an oligonucleotide primer

Oligonucleotide primers are considered based upon certain properties, namely: they must not have potential secondary structures such as hairpins or dimmers have a GC content of 45-60%; have a Tm between 52-58%; their 5' ends stability has to be greater than the stability of their 3' ends; be 17-25 nucleotides in length. From NetPrimer analysis results of seven regions, only region 52 meet with the above mentioned criteria. with a NetPrimer rating of 100 (maxium) (Tambunan et al, 2007). The result is shown in table 1. Based on sequence similarity, 62 conserved regions were found. Out of the 62, 7 regions were then used as templates for primers used in detection of high and low risk HPV. From the 7 template candidates, only one met the criteria to be used as an oligonucleotide primer, namely region 52. From the study, region 52 is predicted to be selective to be used in the detection of

A new paradigm of vaccine design is now emerging, following essential discoveries in immunology and the development of bioinformatics tools for T-cell epitope prediction from

conserved region with least similarity to low risk HPV and human genome.

useful to optimize probe sequences (Lee et al, 2004).

**2.1.2 Our approach** 

(Tambunan et al, 2007).

oncogenic Human *papillomavirus.*

**2.2 HPV vaccine design and its post translation studies** 

the detection of high risk HPV DNA.


HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 243

pathogens. Vaccine efficacy can be assessed by correlating the vaccine's immunogenicity such as its ability to induce CD8+ or CD4+ T cells to the HPV oncoproteins with its ability to protect vaccinated animals against formation of tumors or to cause clearance of already established tumors. Recently several techniques like optimizing codons, CpG optimization and promoter and resistance gene insertion have been tried to enhance the immunogenicity

Gupta and his group are working with DNA vaccine. There is a need to develop a new prophylactic DNA vaccine, which can work against different strains of HPVs and may lead to protection of cervical cancer against new pandemicviruses. Potential prophylactic DNA vaccine has been designed by using all the consensus epitopic sequences of HPVs L2 capsid protein and performed in silico cloning of multiepitopic antigenic DNA sequence in pVAX-1 vector. Immunogenicity of vaccine has been enhanced by techniques like codon optimization, engineering CpG motifs, introducing promoters and co-injection with

Unlike others, our laboratory is using chimeric protein for designing the vaccine. The cVLP HPV-16 ANN1, ANN2, HMM1, and HMM2 in silico vaccine design were discovered. The BLAST test towards them was generating 96% identity with native L1 HPV-16 protein. Therefore, it is expected that the vaccines could cause same level of immunogenicity with the native protein. The Ramacandran Plot of them showed that the disallowed region plot of non-glycine residue was less than 15%. Henceforth, the quality of the vaccine could be structuraly good. The VAST test toward them showed the RMSD of 0,1 Å, which shows that

Based upon in silico predition, it was found that post-translational modification could occur at cVLP. During the formation of cVLP, the possible occurred post-translational modification is N-Glicocylation. It is because this modification has N-Xaa-S/T motif which found at our in silico detection method. Although it is expected to happen, it is predicted that this modification wouldn't affect the tability of the cVLP, because its epitope did not

Chimeric virus like particles (cVLP) has been developed as vaccine candidate for preventing cervical cancer. cVLPs are improvement of Virus Like Particles (VLP) by substituting the epitope of L1 HPV -18 and -52 protein to L1 HPV -16 protein. They are ANN1, ANN2, HMM1, and HMM2. The impact of post translation modification will be determined. Based on In Silico study, the dominant post translation modification is glycosylation (Tambunan et

However, the next step is to develop in silico plasmid vector for expressing cVLP at the euchariotic host cell. The necessary step is to conduct in vitro experimentation to construct the cVLP HPV L1 at the proper host cell. After the cVLP has sucessfully produced, we could conduct in vivo research to determine the immunogenicity of cVLP at the animal testing, for example at rabbits or mice. Figure 1 shows the amino acid sequence of our vaccine design,

plasmids expressing immune-stimulatory molecules (Gupta et al, 2009).

of DNA vaccines (Gupta et al, 2009).

they have a high structural similarity.

while figure 2 shows its 3D visualization.

**2.2.1 Other labs approach** 

**2.2.2 Our approach** 

affected.

al 2007).

primary protein sequences. One rationale for this new paradigm is that following exposure to a pathogen, epitope-specific memory T-cell clones are established. These clones respond rapidly and efficiently upon any subsequent infection, elaborating cytokines, killing infected host cells, and marshalling humoral and cellular defences against the pathogen. The most efficient immune response to some pathogens is derived from a number of different T cells that respond to an ensemble of pathogen-derived short peptides called epitopes. Whether an immune response is directed against a single immunodominant epitope or against many epitopes, the generation of a protective immune response does not require the development of T-cell memory to every possible peptide in the entire pathogen. T-cell response to the ensemble of epitopes, not the whole pathogen, is the source from which a protective immune response is derived. Similarly, if an individual is previously exposed to a language, upon hearing just a few words of that language he/she will usually recognize, for example, that French or English is being spoken. Complete mastery of the language is not required for this recognition. Using this analogy to describe epitopes, one could say that they are pathogen-specific 'words' that alert the immune system to the presence of a pathogen. It is now possible to envisage the design of vaccines based on an ensemble of epitopes (a string of words, a few sentences, a paragraph, or a chapter) derived from the genome of a pathogen, using tools that have been developed in the field of immuno-informatics (De Groot et al, 2002 ). Knowledge about immunology is crucial in designing vaccine. Immunoinformatics, which is a branch of Bioinformatics, is a flourishing field.

The significant breakthrough in HPV vaccine research was accomplished, when capsid protein L1 and L2 was found to be able to assemble themselves to be Virus Like Particles (VLP) during cell expression. VLP is very similar to the native HPV particle, and it includes the conformation epitope that induce the viral neutralization antibody. This is very crucial for the immune system, in order to detect VLP as viral infection, and giving the proper response. Because VLP is coreless and didn't contain the viral DNA, then it is expected that it won't create infection. The produced VLPs are type 6,11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45,and 58). One VLP Chimeric (cVLP) model has sucessfully induced Mice Cytotoxic T Cell, by joining E6 and E7 capsid protein in the VLP. Some scientist believes, that cVLP has huge potentials to be utilized as infection prevention (Kolls et al, 2000).

Protein must be folded like its native conformation, in order to be activated as mature protein. The protein modification into its native conformation is called as post-translation modification. The polypeptide chain, which consisted of more than 200 residues, is usually folded into two or more globular domain. Most of the domain has 100 until 200 amino acid residues, and having diameter of ~25 Å (Voet *et al*, 1995).

DNA vaccine is designed using choice of a suitable expression vector, ensuring optimal expression by codon optimization, engineering CpG motifs for enhancing immune responses and providing additional sequence signals for efficient translation. DNA vaccines have been one of the latest developments in vaccine technology. DNA vaccines are essentially plasmids capable of expressing an antigenicpeptide in the host. These expressed proteins are recognized as foreign in the cells of the body. They are processed by the host cells and displayed on their surface to alert the immune system and trigger body's immune responses. DNA vaccines have become anattractive alternative to conventional methods due to the fact that it can elicit sustained cell-mediated as well as humoral immun responses, which is very much important in combating pathogenic organisms, especially intracellular pathogens. Vaccine efficacy can be assessed by correlating the vaccine's immunogenicity such as its ability to induce CD8+ or CD4+ T cells to the HPV oncoproteins with its ability to protect vaccinated animals against formation of tumors or to cause clearance of already established tumors. Recently several techniques like optimizing codons, CpG optimization and promoter and resistance gene insertion have been tried to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines (Gupta et al, 2009).

#### **2.2.1 Other labs approach**

242 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

primary protein sequences. One rationale for this new paradigm is that following exposure to a pathogen, epitope-specific memory T-cell clones are established. These clones respond rapidly and efficiently upon any subsequent infection, elaborating cytokines, killing infected host cells, and marshalling humoral and cellular defences against the pathogen. The most efficient immune response to some pathogens is derived from a number of different T cells that respond to an ensemble of pathogen-derived short peptides called epitopes. Whether an immune response is directed against a single immunodominant epitope or against many epitopes, the generation of a protective immune response does not require the development of T-cell memory to every possible peptide in the entire pathogen. T-cell response to the ensemble of epitopes, not the whole pathogen, is the source from which a protective immune response is derived. Similarly, if an individual is previously exposed to a language, upon hearing just a few words of that language he/she will usually recognize, for example, that French or English is being spoken. Complete mastery of the language is not required for this recognition. Using this analogy to describe epitopes, one could say that they are pathogen-specific 'words' that alert the immune system to the presence of a pathogen. It is now possible to envisage the design of vaccines based on an ensemble of epitopes (a string of words, a few sentences, a paragraph, or a chapter) derived from the genome of a pathogen, using tools that have been developed in the field of immuno-informatics (De Groot et al, 2002 ). Knowledge about immunology is crucial in designing vaccine.

Immunoinformatics, which is a branch of Bioinformatics, is a flourishing field.

to be utilized as infection prevention (Kolls et al, 2000).

residues, and having diameter of ~25 Å (Voet *et al*, 1995).

The significant breakthrough in HPV vaccine research was accomplished, when capsid protein L1 and L2 was found to be able to assemble themselves to be Virus Like Particles (VLP) during cell expression. VLP is very similar to the native HPV particle, and it includes the conformation epitope that induce the viral neutralization antibody. This is very crucial for the immune system, in order to detect VLP as viral infection, and giving the proper response. Because VLP is coreless and didn't contain the viral DNA, then it is expected that it won't create infection. The produced VLPs are type 6,11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45,and 58). One VLP Chimeric (cVLP) model has sucessfully induced Mice Cytotoxic T Cell, by joining E6 and E7 capsid protein in the VLP. Some scientist believes, that cVLP has huge potentials

Protein must be folded like its native conformation, in order to be activated as mature protein. The protein modification into its native conformation is called as post-translation modification. The polypeptide chain, which consisted of more than 200 residues, is usually folded into two or more globular domain. Most of the domain has 100 until 200 amino acid

DNA vaccine is designed using choice of a suitable expression vector, ensuring optimal expression by codon optimization, engineering CpG motifs for enhancing immune responses and providing additional sequence signals for efficient translation. DNA vaccines have been one of the latest developments in vaccine technology. DNA vaccines are essentially plasmids capable of expressing an antigenicpeptide in the host. These expressed proteins are recognized as foreign in the cells of the body. They are processed by the host cells and displayed on their surface to alert the immune system and trigger body's immune responses. DNA vaccines have become anattractive alternative to conventional methods due to the fact that it can elicit sustained cell-mediated as well as humoral immun responses, which is very much important in combating pathogenic organisms, especially intracellular Gupta and his group are working with DNA vaccine. There is a need to develop a new prophylactic DNA vaccine, which can work against different strains of HPVs and may lead to protection of cervical cancer against new pandemicviruses. Potential prophylactic DNA vaccine has been designed by using all the consensus epitopic sequences of HPVs L2 capsid protein and performed in silico cloning of multiepitopic antigenic DNA sequence in pVAX-1 vector. Immunogenicity of vaccine has been enhanced by techniques like codon optimization, engineering CpG motifs, introducing promoters and co-injection with plasmids expressing immune-stimulatory molecules (Gupta et al, 2009).

#### **2.2.2 Our approach**

Unlike others, our laboratory is using chimeric protein for designing the vaccine. The cVLP HPV-16 ANN1, ANN2, HMM1, and HMM2 in silico vaccine design were discovered. The BLAST test towards them was generating 96% identity with native L1 HPV-16 protein. Therefore, it is expected that the vaccines could cause same level of immunogenicity with the native protein. The Ramacandran Plot of them showed that the disallowed region plot of non-glycine residue was less than 15%. Henceforth, the quality of the vaccine could be structuraly good. The VAST test toward them showed the RMSD of 0,1 Å, which shows that they have a high structural similarity.

Based upon in silico predition, it was found that post-translational modification could occur at cVLP. During the formation of cVLP, the possible occurred post-translational modification is N-Glicocylation. It is because this modification has N-Xaa-S/T motif which found at our in silico detection method. Although it is expected to happen, it is predicted that this modification wouldn't affect the tability of the cVLP, because its epitope did not affected.

Chimeric virus like particles (cVLP) has been developed as vaccine candidate for preventing cervical cancer. cVLPs are improvement of Virus Like Particles (VLP) by substituting the epitope of L1 HPV -18 and -52 protein to L1 HPV -16 protein. They are ANN1, ANN2, HMM1, and HMM2. The impact of post translation modification will be determined. Based on In Silico study, the dominant post translation modification is glycosylation (Tambunan et al 2007).

However, the next step is to develop in silico plasmid vector for expressing cVLP at the euchariotic host cell. The necessary step is to conduct in vitro experimentation to construct the cVLP HPV L1 at the proper host cell. After the cVLP has sucessfully produced, we could conduct in vivo research to determine the immunogenicity of cVLP at the animal testing, for example at rabbits or mice. Figure 1 shows the amino acid sequence of our vaccine design, while figure 2 shows its 3D visualization.

HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 245

However, we are going to explain more about drug design biochemistry background. The structural modification of histones is regulated mainly by acetylation/deacetylation of the N-terminal tail and is crucial in modulating gene expression, because it affects the interaction of DNA with transcription-regulatory non-nucleosomal protein complexes. The balance between the acetylated/deacetylated states of histones is mediated by two different sets of enzymes: histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HATs prefentially acetylate specific lysine substrates among other non-histones protein sub- strates and transcription factors, affecting DNA-binding properties and, in turn, altering gene transcription. HDACs restore the positive charge on lysine residues by removing acetyl groups and thus are involved primarily in the repression of gene transcription by compacting chromatin structure. Therefore, open lysine residues attach firmly to the phosphate backbone of the DNA, preventing transcription. In this tight conformation, transcription factors, regulatory complexes, and RNA polymerases cannot bind to DNA Acetylation relaxes the DNA conformation, making it accessible to transcription machinery. High levels of acetylation of core histones are seen in chromatincontaining genes, which are highly transcribed genes; genes that are silent are associated with low levels of acetylation. Inappropriate silencing of critical genes can result in one or both hits of tumor suppressor gene inactivation in cancer. Members of the classical HDAC family fall into two different phylogenetic classes, namely class I and class II. The class I HDACs (HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC8) are most closely related to the yeast (*Saccharomyces cerevisiae*). Class II HDACs (HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9, and HDAC10) share domains with similarity to HDA1, another deacetylase found in yeast

The inhibition of HDAC activity by a specific inhibitor induces growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis of transformed cells as well as several cancer cells (Subha et al, 2008). Recent studies were directed to investigate the molecular effects of HDAC inhibition on cervical carcinoma cells as well as on primary human foreskin keratinocytes, separately immortalized with amphotropic retroviruses that carry the open reading frames of HPV 16 E6, E7 or E6/E7. In these experiments one could show that E6/E7 oncogene function of human papillomavirus can be completely bypassed by HDAC inhibition. Both malignant and immortalized HPV 16/18-positive cells became blocked in G1/S transition despite ongoing viral gene expression. G1 arrest was accompanied by a down-regulation of cyclin D and cyclin A and a concomitant up regulation of the cyclin kinase inhibitors (CKI) p21 and p27. Binding of both CKIs led to a complete block of the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk2) activity and in turn prevented binding of E7. This was intriguing with respect to the reversibility of HPV transformation process, since it is thought that the abrogation of the growth inhibitory function of p21 and p27 through E7 represents a key event in HPV-induced carcinogenesis. HDAC inhibitors also trigger pRb degradation, while E2F expression remained unaffected. pRb degradation is an E7 specific phenomenon, since in E6-positive cells pRb only became hypophosphorylated. The presence of E2F under cell cycle arrest led to a classical "conflict situation" which finally induced apoptosis (Finzer et al, 2001; Finzer et al, 2002; Finzer et al, 2004). Hence, the knowledge how the transforming potential of HPV can be bypassed without switching off viral transcription could open new therapeutical perspectives for the treatment of cervical cancer (Acharya et al, 2006). The drug design on HPV are mainly

(de Ruitter et al, 2003).

tampering with the reactivity of E(early) protein.

> S e q u e n c e A N N 1 :

KVVSTDEYVARTNIYYHAGTSRLLAVGHPYFPIKKPNNNKILVPKVSGLQYRVFRIHLPDP NKFGFPDTSFYNPDTQRLVWACVGVEVGRGQPLGVGISGHPLLNKLDDTENASAYAAN AGVDNRECISMDYKQTQLCLIGCKPPIGEHWGKGSPCTQVAVQPGDCPPLELINTVIQDG DMVDTGFGAMDFTTLQANKLFLRNVNVFSICKYPDYIKMVSEPYGDSLFFYLRREQMFVR HLFNRAGTVGENVPDDLYIKGSGSTANLASSNYFPTPSGSMVTSDAQIFNKPYWLQRAQ GHNNGICWGNQLFVTVVDTTRSTNMSLCAAISTSETTYKNTNFKEYLRFYILVIFYYIFQLC KITLTADVMTYIHSMNSTILEDWNFGLQPPPGGTLDTYRFVTSQAIACQKHTPPAPKEDPL KKYTFWEVNLKEKFSADLDQFPLGRKFLLQLGL

Fig. 1. The sequence of Our ANN1 cVLP L1 HPV Vaccine design.

Fig. 2. Our ANN1 cVLP L1 HPV Vaccine Design. The vaccine was visualized by using MacPymol application. The ribbons inside the chains are the vaccine backbone (Tambunan et al, 2010).

#### **2.3 HPV drugs design**

This section will elaborate more on Drugs design. Knowledge about protein receptorinhibitor interaction is very important for designing drugs. Computational Chemistry is the major supporting science in it. The structural modification of histones is playing important roles in the knowledge of HPV drug design.

KVVSTDEYVARTNIYYHAGTSRLLAVGHPYFPIKKPNNNKILVPKVSGLQYRVFRIHLPDP NKFGFPDTSFYNPDTQRLVWACVGVEVGRGQPLGVGISGHPLLNKLDDTENASAYAAN AGVDNRECISMDYKQTQLCLIGCKPPIGEHWGKGSPCTQVAVQPGDCPPLELINTVIQDG DMVDTGFGAMDFTTLQANKLFLRNVNVFSICKYPDYIKMVSEPYGDSLFFYLRREQMFVR HLFNRAGTVGENVPDDLYIKGSGSTANLASSNYFPTPSGSMVTSDAQIFNKPYWLQRAQ GHNNGICWGNQLFVTVVDTTRSTNMSLCAAISTSETTYKNTNFKEYLRFYILVIFYYIFQLC KITLTADVMTYIHSMNSTILEDWNFGLQPPPGGTLDTYRFVTSQAIACQKHTPPAPKEDPL

Fig. 2. Our ANN1 cVLP L1 HPV Vaccine Design. The vaccine was visualized by using MacPymol application. The ribbons inside the chains are the vaccine backbone (Tambunan

This section will elaborate more on Drugs design. Knowledge about protein receptorinhibitor interaction is very important for designing drugs. Computational Chemistry is the major supporting science in it. The structural modification of histones is playing important

> S e q u e n c e A N N 1 :

et al, 2010).

**2.3 HPV drugs design** 

roles in the knowledge of HPV drug design.

KKYTFWEVNLKEKFSADLDQFPLGRKFLLQLGL

Fig. 1. The sequence of Our ANN1 cVLP L1 HPV Vaccine design.

However, we are going to explain more about drug design biochemistry background. The structural modification of histones is regulated mainly by acetylation/deacetylation of the N-terminal tail and is crucial in modulating gene expression, because it affects the interaction of DNA with transcription-regulatory non-nucleosomal protein complexes. The balance between the acetylated/deacetylated states of histones is mediated by two different sets of enzymes: histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HATs prefentially acetylate specific lysine substrates among other non-histones protein sub- strates and transcription factors, affecting DNA-binding properties and, in turn, altering gene transcription. HDACs restore the positive charge on lysine residues by removing acetyl groups and thus are involved primarily in the repression of gene transcription by compacting chromatin structure. Therefore, open lysine residues attach firmly to the phosphate backbone of the DNA, preventing transcription. In this tight conformation, transcription factors, regulatory complexes, and RNA polymerases cannot bind to DNA Acetylation relaxes the DNA conformation, making it accessible to transcription machinery. High levels of acetylation of core histones are seen in chromatincontaining genes, which are highly transcribed genes; genes that are silent are associated with low levels of acetylation. Inappropriate silencing of critical genes can result in one or both hits of tumor suppressor gene inactivation in cancer. Members of the classical HDAC family fall into two different phylogenetic classes, namely class I and class II. The class I HDACs (HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC8) are most closely related to the yeast (*Saccharomyces cerevisiae*). Class II HDACs (HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9, and HDAC10) share domains with similarity to HDA1, another deacetylase found in yeast (de Ruitter et al, 2003).

The inhibition of HDAC activity by a specific inhibitor induces growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis of transformed cells as well as several cancer cells (Subha et al, 2008). Recent studies were directed to investigate the molecular effects of HDAC inhibition on cervical carcinoma cells as well as on primary human foreskin keratinocytes, separately immortalized with amphotropic retroviruses that carry the open reading frames of HPV 16 E6, E7 or E6/E7. In these experiments one could show that E6/E7 oncogene function of human papillomavirus can be completely bypassed by HDAC inhibition. Both malignant and immortalized HPV 16/18-positive cells became blocked in G1/S transition despite ongoing viral gene expression. G1 arrest was accompanied by a down-regulation of cyclin D and cyclin A and a concomitant up regulation of the cyclin kinase inhibitors (CKI) p21 and p27. Binding of both CKIs led to a complete block of the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk2) activity and in turn prevented binding of E7. This was intriguing with respect to the reversibility of HPV transformation process, since it is thought that the abrogation of the growth inhibitory function of p21 and p27 through E7 represents a key event in HPV-induced carcinogenesis. HDAC inhibitors also trigger pRb degradation, while E2F expression remained unaffected. pRb degradation is an E7 specific phenomenon, since in E6-positive cells pRb only became hypophosphorylated. The presence of E2F under cell cycle arrest led to a classical "conflict situation" which finally induced apoptosis (Finzer et al, 2001; Finzer et al, 2002; Finzer et al, 2004). Hence, the knowledge how the transforming potential of HPV can be bypassed without switching off viral transcription could open new therapeutical perspectives for the treatment of cervical cancer (Acharya et al, 2006). The drug design on HPV are mainly tampering with the reactivity of E(early) protein.

HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 247

differentiation and apoptosis of cancer cells. HDAC class I and class II are considered the main targets for cancer. Therefore, the six HDACs class II was modelled and about two inhibitors (SAHA and TSA) were docked using AutoDock 4.2, to each of the inhibitor in order to identify the pharmacological properties. Based on the results of docking, SAHA and TSA were able to bind with zinc ion in HDACs models as a drug target. SAHA was satisfied almost all the properties i.e., binding affinity, the Drug-Likeness value and Drug Score with 70% oral bioavailability and the carbonyl group of these compound fits well into the active site of the target where the zinc is present. Hence, SAHA could be developed as potential inhibitors of class II HDACs and valuable cervical cancer drug candidate

Fig. 3. 2D Structure of SAHA and TSA. SAHA and TSA are hydroxamic acid derivatives that

Each ligand shows different affinity with class II HDAC, for example SAHA compound show best affinity with HDAC 5 based on Autodock calculation, and HDAC 10 based on APBS calculation. Whereas the same compound was found to be rank 2 with HDAC7 (-7.42 kcal/mol) based on AutoDock calculation and HDAC6 (-213.60 kJ/mol) based on APBS calculation, and rank 3 (-6.72 kcal/mol) with HDAC10 (AutoDock) and HDAC7 (-203.21 kJ/mol, APBS). Local free binding energy obtained from AutoDock of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs complexed with an inhibitor showed that SAHA is a weaker inhibitor of HDACs than TSA. But, global binding energy of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs and inhibitors obtained from APBS, showed that TSA to be a weaker inhibitor of HDACs than SAHA.

and APBS; this is because AutoDock does not calculate columbic contribution from all of

The further descriptor analysis and the toxicity prediction helped in the identification of the better inhibitor. Drug Score and the Drug-Likeness are the two properties that are important for considering a compound to become a successful drug. TSA had a drug score of 0.37 and drug likeness property score of 1.24, which is higher than those for SAHA with respective scores of 0.35 and -8.87. The molecular weight of SAHA was 264.32 g/mol and that of TSA was 302.37 g/mol (Table 1), between the preferred range of molecular weight for drug

There are differences in binding energy calculated with AutoDock

(Tambunan et al, 2010).

can be HDAV inhibitors.

atoms in protein like APBS.

#### **2.3.1 Other labs approach**

Rehmi and his group are mainly working on E2 proteins. The E2 protein from HPV 16 was selected as a molecular target and its known structures were exploited for broad scope of "hits" to be identified in the screening process. They compared both structure-based and ligand-based design approaches for virtual screening. Databases enriched in natural compounds were used for virtual screening based on molecular docking. In this study, they identified novel classes of HPV inhibitors by means of a structure-based drug-design protocol involving Pharmacophore based virtual screening with molecular docking simulation (Rehmi et al, 2009).

Baleja and his group have different approach, because they are using E6 protein as vaccine template. The E6 protein from the high-risk HPV types represents an attractive target for intervention because of its roles in viral propagation and cellular transformation. E6 functions in part by interaction with human cellular proteins, several of which possess a helical E6-binding motif. The role for each amino acid in this motif for binding E6 has been tested through structure determination and site-directed mutagenesis. These structural and molecular biological approaches defined the spatial geometry of functional groups necessary for binding to E6. This E6-binding information (the E6-binding pharmacophore) was transferred into a three-dimensional query format suitable for computational screening of large chemical databases. Compounds were identified and tested using in vitro and cell culture-based assays. Several compounds selectively inhibited E6 interaction with the E6 binding protein E6AP and interfered with the ability of E6 to promote p53 degradation. Such compounds provide leads for the development of new pharmacologic agents to treat papillomavirus infections and their associated cancers (Baleja et al, 2006).

#### **2.3.2 Our approach**

Our approach was done by Identification of a better *Homo sapiens* Class II HDAC inhibitor. The aim of this work is to analyze the interaction of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs with SAHA and TSA that are already in the phase I/II clinical trials based on their binding affinity and pharmacological properties. Since, no theoretical works have been carried out in identifying the properties and specificity, we intend to identify the group that could act as potential binding inhibitors.

In this paper, we present homology models of six *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs (HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9, and HDAC10) that are validated by comparison with the X-ray structure of HDAC4 and HDAC7, which became available during the course of our study. Two HDAC inhibitors (SAHA and TSA) are docked to the six homology models. The pharmacological properties of SAHA and TSA were identified using Molinspiration, Osiris Property, Tox- Boxes, and Toxmatch-v1.06. Therefore, the molecular binding interactions between the histone deacetylases with SAHA and TSA were analyzed to provide some insights into the molecular interactions and designing new HDAC inhibitors.

The certain types of HPV are involved in the development of cervical cancer. In attempts to find additional drugs in the treatment of cervical cancer, inhibitors of the histone deacetylases (HDAC) have received much attention due to their low cytotoxic profiles and the E6/E7 oncogene function of human papilomavirus can be completely by passed by HDAC inhibition. The histone deacetylase inhibitors can induce growth arrest,

Rehmi and his group are mainly working on E2 proteins. The E2 protein from HPV 16 was selected as a molecular target and its known structures were exploited for broad scope of "hits" to be identified in the screening process. They compared both structure-based and ligand-based design approaches for virtual screening. Databases enriched in natural compounds were used for virtual screening based on molecular docking. In this study, they identified novel classes of HPV inhibitors by means of a structure-based drug-design protocol involving Pharmacophore based virtual screening with molecular docking

Baleja and his group have different approach, because they are using E6 protein as vaccine template. The E6 protein from the high-risk HPV types represents an attractive target for intervention because of its roles in viral propagation and cellular transformation. E6 functions in part by interaction with human cellular proteins, several of which possess a helical E6-binding motif. The role for each amino acid in this motif for binding E6 has been tested through structure determination and site-directed mutagenesis. These structural and molecular biological approaches defined the spatial geometry of functional groups necessary for binding to E6. This E6-binding information (the E6-binding pharmacophore) was transferred into a three-dimensional query format suitable for computational screening of large chemical databases. Compounds were identified and tested using in vitro and cell culture-based assays. Several compounds selectively inhibited E6 interaction with the E6 binding protein E6AP and interfered with the ability of E6 to promote p53 degradation. Such compounds provide leads for the development of new pharmacologic agents to treat

Our approach was done by Identification of a better *Homo sapiens* Class II HDAC inhibitor. The aim of this work is to analyze the interaction of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs with SAHA and TSA that are already in the phase I/II clinical trials based on their binding affinity and pharmacological properties. Since, no theoretical works have been carried out in identifying the properties and specificity, we intend to identify the group that could act as

In this paper, we present homology models of six *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs (HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9, and HDAC10) that are validated by comparison with the X-ray structure of HDAC4 and HDAC7, which became available during the course of our study. Two HDAC inhibitors (SAHA and TSA) are docked to the six homology models. The pharmacological properties of SAHA and TSA were identified using Molinspiration, Osiris Property, Tox- Boxes, and Toxmatch-v1.06. Therefore, the molecular binding interactions between the histone deacetylases with SAHA and TSA were analyzed to provide some insights into the molecular interactions and designing new HDAC inhibitors. The certain types of HPV are involved in the development of cervical cancer. In attempts to find additional drugs in the treatment of cervical cancer, inhibitors of the histone deacetylases (HDAC) have received much attention due to their low cytotoxic profiles and the E6/E7 oncogene function of human papilomavirus can be completely by passed by HDAC inhibition. The histone deacetylase inhibitors can induce growth arrest,

papillomavirus infections and their associated cancers (Baleja et al, 2006).

**2.3.1 Other labs approach** 

simulation (Rehmi et al, 2009).

**2.3.2 Our approach** 

potential binding inhibitors.

differentiation and apoptosis of cancer cells. HDAC class I and class II are considered the main targets for cancer. Therefore, the six HDACs class II was modelled and about two inhibitors (SAHA and TSA) were docked using AutoDock 4.2, to each of the inhibitor in order to identify the pharmacological properties. Based on the results of docking, SAHA and TSA were able to bind with zinc ion in HDACs models as a drug target. SAHA was satisfied almost all the properties i.e., binding affinity, the Drug-Likeness value and Drug Score with 70% oral bioavailability and the carbonyl group of these compound fits well into the active site of the target where the zinc is present. Hence, SAHA could be developed as potential inhibitors of class II HDACs and valuable cervical cancer drug candidate (Tambunan et al, 2010).

Fig. 3. 2D Structure of SAHA and TSA. SAHA and TSA are hydroxamic acid derivatives that can be HDAV inhibitors.

Each ligand shows different affinity with class II HDAC, for example SAHA compound show best affinity with HDAC 5 based on Autodock calculation, and HDAC 10 based on APBS calculation. Whereas the same compound was found to be rank 2 with HDAC7 (-7.42 kcal/mol) based on AutoDock calculation and HDAC6 (-213.60 kJ/mol) based on APBS calculation, and rank 3 (-6.72 kcal/mol) with HDAC10 (AutoDock) and HDAC7 (-203.21 kJ/mol, APBS). Local free binding energy obtained from AutoDock of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs complexed with an inhibitor showed that SAHA is a weaker inhibitor of HDACs than TSA. But, global binding energy of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs and inhibitors obtained from APBS, showed that TSA to be a weaker inhibitor of HDACs than SAHA. There are differences in binding energy calculated with AutoDock

 and APBS; this is because AutoDock does not calculate columbic contribution from all of atoms in protein like APBS.

The further descriptor analysis and the toxicity prediction helped in the identification of the better inhibitor. Drug Score and the Drug-Likeness are the two properties that are important for considering a compound to become a successful drug. TSA had a drug score of 0.37 and drug likeness property score of 1.24, which is higher than those for SAHA with respective scores of 0.35 and -8.87. The molecular weight of SAHA was 264.32 g/mol and that of TSA was 302.37 g/mol (Table 1), between the preferred range of molecular weight for drug

HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 249

Fig. 5. Structures of docked TSA with HDAC Class II *Homo sapiens*. Three Conformations of Structures of docked TSA with (A) HDAC4, (B) HDAC5, (C) HDAC6, (D) HDAC7, (E) HDAC9 and (F) HDAC10. A surface representation of catalytic domain of *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs bound to TSA. The zinc ion is shown as gray sphere. TSA are shown as stick models colored as per docked type: red, blue, and yellow. Amino acids coordinating the zinc and forming the trihedrally coordinates are shown as sticks. Some catalytic domain of *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs residues interacting with the docked TSA are shown as stick models. Except HDAC5-TSA complex, all of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs-TSA complexes

bind the catalytic zinc ion in a monodentate fashion.

Fig. 4. Structures of docked SAHA with *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs. Three Conformations of Structures of docked SAHA with (A)HDAC4, (B) HDAC5, (C) HDAC6, (D) HDAC7, (E) HDAC9 and (F) HDAC10. A surface representation of catalytic domain of Homo sapiens Class II HDACs bound to SAHA. The zinc ion is shown as gray sphere. SAHA are shown as stick models colored as per docked type: red, blue, and yellow. Amino acids coordinating the zinc and forming the trihedrally coordinates are shown as sticks. Some catalytic domain of Homo sapiens Class II HDACs residues interacting with the docked SAHA are shown as stick models. In HDAC4-SAHA, HDAC5-SAHA, HDAC6-SAHA and HDAC7-SAHA complexes, SAHA binds the catalytic zinc ion in a bidentate fashion, with its carbonyl and hydroxyl bound to catalytic zinc ion. Whereas, in HDAC9-SAHA and HDAC10-SAHA complexes bind the catalytic zinc ion in a monodentate fashion, with its carbonyl bound to catalytic zinc ion.

Fig. 4. Structures of docked SAHA with *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs. Three Conformations of Structures of docked SAHA with (A)HDAC4, (B) HDAC5, (C) HDAC6, (D) HDAC7, (E) HDAC9 and (F) HDAC10. A surface representation of catalytic domain of Homo sapiens Class II HDACs bound to SAHA. The zinc ion is shown as gray sphere. SAHA are shown as stick models colored as per docked type: red, blue, and yellow. Amino acids coordinating the zinc and forming the trihedrally coordinates are shown as sticks. Some catalytic domain of Homo sapiens Class II HDACs residues interacting with the docked SAHA are shown as stick models. In HDAC4-SAHA, HDAC5-SAHA, HDAC6-SAHA and HDAC7-SAHA complexes, SAHA binds the catalytic zinc ion in a bidentate fashion, with its carbonyl and hydroxyl bound to catalytic zinc ion. Whereas, in HDAC9-SAHA and HDAC10-SAHA complexes bind the catalytic zinc ion in a monodentate fashion, with its carbonyl bound to

catalytic zinc ion.

Fig. 5. Structures of docked TSA with HDAC Class II *Homo sapiens*. Three Conformations of Structures of docked TSA with (A) HDAC4, (B) HDAC5, (C) HDAC6, (D) HDAC7, (E) HDAC9 and (F) HDAC10. A surface representation of catalytic domain of *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs bound to TSA. The zinc ion is shown as gray sphere. TSA are shown as stick models colored as per docked type: red, blue, and yellow. Amino acids coordinating the zinc and forming the trihedrally coordinates are shown as sticks. Some catalytic domain of *Homo sapiens* Class II HDACs residues interacting with the docked TSA are shown as stick models. Except HDAC5-TSA complex, all of *Homo sapiens* class II HDACs-TSA complexes bind the catalytic zinc ion in a monodentate fashion.

HPV Bioinformatics: In Silico Detection, Drug Design and Prevention Agent Development 251

algorithm and programming. Our labs and others has successfully developed them. The

This publication is supported by Universitas Indonesia. The authors are grateful to to Dr. Ridla Bakri, Chairman of Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural

Acharya, MR; Sparreboom, A; Sausville, EA; Conley, BA; Doroshow, JH; Venitz, J & Figg,

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next challenges would be implementing them in the wet laboratory research.

**4. Aknowledgement** 

ISSN: 1432-0843

*microbiología*, 48 (2): 56-65

Issue 1, 2006, Pp 49-59, ISSN 0166-3542,

*Biochem* , 370:737-49. ISSN: 1470-8728

Heidelberg. pp 1334-1343 Volume: 3316. ISSN: 0302-9743

**5. References** 

Science, University of Indonesia for his support.

likeness property (160-480 g/mol). TSA was having tumorigenic property. SAHA was the compound that had the acceptable range for toxicity risk. These values were also taken into account to decide the best inhibitor. Thus, SAHA was the best drug candidate than TSA and also found to possess better global binding affinity score.

 The ADME-TOX box results showed that the SAHA has an oral bioavailability of more than 70% i.e., good solubility and stability. It acts as a non-substrate and non-inhibitor of P-gp. SAHA does not undergo significant first-pass metabolism.

The three-dimensional models for six class II histone deacetylases (HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9, and HDAC10), which were built using homology modeling and validated by bioinformatics techniques and by comparison to an X-ray structures, were docked to SAHA and TSA. Our studies provide the structural view of the catalytic domain of a class II HDAC and reveal for this subclass specific features: (i) novel zinc binding motif that is likely to be involved in substrate binding and/or protein-protein interactions and may provide a site for modulation of activity, and (ii) a unique active site topology in catalytic activity. SAHA and TSA predicted to inhibit the class II HDACs are effective to all forms HDACs. SAHA was satisfied almost all the properties i.e., binding affinity scores of SAHA in the six class II HDAC enzymes was -156.94 kJ/mol, -171.77 kJ/mol, -213.60 kJ/mol, -203.21 kJ/mol, -179.29 kJ/mol & -263.15 kJ/mol respectively, the Drug Likeness value (1.24) and drug score (0.37) with 70% oral bioavailability and the carbonyl group of these com- pounds fits well into the active site of the target where the zinc is present. Hence, SAHA could be developed as potential inhibitors of class II HDACs and valuable anti cancer agents.

#### **3. Conclusion**

The IT industry has provided strong and robust computing power, with low cost expediture. Nowadays, a powerful low cost multiprocessor computers are available,which made the modeling of complicated proteins and sophisticated drug design possible. The major computer operating system, such as MacOSX, Linux, and Windows are already supporting open source bioinformatics software. They could do the functionalities of the commercial software, with the same robustness. Nowadays, the field of bioinformatics is growing. The In Silico (Bioinformatics) experiment will be considered as important as wet experiment by biologist and/or biotechnologist. The In silico approach did not designed to replace wet experiment, but it's in order to supplement it. Open source implementation will help bioinformaticians to solve viral threat in efficient and effective manner. There will be more robust bioinformatics tools available in the future for solving crucial virology related problems. Our laboratory has successfully designing primer and vaccine for therapeutics. However, the efficacy of the design must be proven in the wet labs experiment. Synthesizing them by using latest molecular biology instrument is crucial for progressing towards clinical trial. Conducting it will require us to form strong cooperation with faculty of medicine in our university. We already have cooperation with them, and will verify our design in the future.

HPV Bioinformatics is a growing and developing field. Our labs has sucessfully developed HPV Genome detection, Vaccine, and drugs design. We found 7 conserve region candidates for PCR design, HPV L1 cVLP for vaccine design, and SAHA/TSA drug design. In silico PCR Primer, Vaccine, and drugs design are possible with the newest development in algorithm and programming. Our labs and others has successfully developed them. The next challenges would be implementing them in the wet laboratory research.

#### **4. Aknowledgement**

This publication is supported by Universitas Indonesia. The authors are grateful to to Dr. Ridla Bakri, Chairman of Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Indonesia for his support.

#### **5. References**

250 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

likeness property (160-480 g/mol). TSA was having tumorigenic property. SAHA was the compound that had the acceptable range for toxicity risk. These values were also taken into account to decide the best inhibitor. Thus, SAHA was the best drug candidate than TSA and

 The ADME-TOX box results showed that the SAHA has an oral bioavailability of more than 70% i.e., good solubility and stability. It acts as a non-substrate and non-inhibitor of P-gp.

The three-dimensional models for six class II histone deacetylases (HDAC4, HDAC5, HDAC6, HDAC7, HDAC9, and HDAC10), which were built using homology modeling and validated by bioinformatics techniques and by comparison to an X-ray structures, were docked to SAHA and TSA. Our studies provide the structural view of the catalytic domain of a class II HDAC and reveal for this subclass specific features: (i) novel zinc binding motif that is likely to be involved in substrate binding and/or protein-protein interactions and may provide a site for modulation of activity, and (ii) a unique active site topology in catalytic activity. SAHA and TSA predicted to inhibit the class II HDACs are effective to all forms HDACs. SAHA was satisfied almost all the properties i.e., binding affinity scores of SAHA in the six class II HDAC enzymes was -156.94 kJ/mol, -171.77 kJ/mol, -213.60 kJ/mol, -203.21 kJ/mol, -179.29 kJ/mol & -263.15 kJ/mol respectively, the Drug Likeness value (1.24) and drug score (0.37) with 70% oral bioavailability and the carbonyl group of these com- pounds fits well into the active site of the target where the zinc is present. Hence, SAHA could be developed as potential inhibitors of class II HDACs and valuable anti cancer

The IT industry has provided strong and robust computing power, with low cost expediture. Nowadays, a powerful low cost multiprocessor computers are available,which made the modeling of complicated proteins and sophisticated drug design possible. The major computer operating system, such as MacOSX, Linux, and Windows are already supporting open source bioinformatics software. They could do the functionalities of the commercial software, with the same robustness. Nowadays, the field of bioinformatics is growing. The In Silico (Bioinformatics) experiment will be considered as important as wet experiment by biologist and/or biotechnologist. The In silico approach did not designed to replace wet experiment, but it's in order to supplement it. Open source implementation will help bioinformaticians to solve viral threat in efficient and effective manner. There will be more robust bioinformatics tools available in the future for solving crucial virology related problems. Our laboratory has successfully designing primer and vaccine for therapeutics. However, the efficacy of the design must be proven in the wet labs experiment. Synthesizing them by using latest molecular biology instrument is crucial for progressing towards clinical trial. Conducting it will require us to form strong cooperation with faculty of medicine in our university. We already have cooperation with them, and will verify our design in the

HPV Bioinformatics is a growing and developing field. Our labs has sucessfully developed HPV Genome detection, Vaccine, and drugs design. We found 7 conserve region candidates for PCR design, HPV L1 cVLP for vaccine design, and SAHA/TSA drug design. In silico PCR Primer, Vaccine, and drugs design are possible with the newest development in

also found to possess better global binding affinity score.

SAHA does not undergo significant first-pass metabolism.

agents.

future.

**3. Conclusion** 

	- Volume: 3316. ISSN: 0302-9743

**15** 

*China* 

Yang Sun and Jia-hua Liu

*Fujian Provincial Hospital,* 

*Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,* 

*Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian* 

**Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting** 

**Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer** 

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a basic biological phenomenon that plays an important role during development, preservation of tissue homeostasis, and elimination of damaged cells. Several nomenclature systems have been proposed to classify PCD. One widely accepted system describes three major morphologies of programmed cell death, and classifies PCD as

Type I, apoptotic cell death, acts as part of a quality-control and repair mechanism by elimination of unwanted, genetically damaged, or senescent cells, and as such is critically important for the development of organisms. Highly conserved in both plants and animals, it is also the cell-death mechanism best characterized at both genetic and biochemical levels3. Type II, autophagic cell death, is a catabolic process conserved among all eukaryotes from yeast to mammals4; it is a mechanism by which organelles are removed. Autophagic cell death is the primary degradation mechanism for long-lived proteins, and thus maintains quality control for proteins and organelles to enhance survival under conditions of scarcity or starvation. Type III, programmed necrosis, is a passive process that usually affects large fields of cells; in contrast, apoptosis and autophagy are controlled and energy-dependent and can affect individual cells or clusters of cells. Perhaps the most remarkable characteristic of programmed necrosis is that this death outcome appears as a distinct entity, not by exclusive engagement of selected effectors, but rather, by combinatorial use of the effectors

Although all three types of PCD can occur normally as a homeostatic mechanism to maintain the cell population in tissues, dysregulation of the delicate balance between cell life and PCD has tremendous pathological implications. The type of cell death that occurs depends on the stimulus and the cellular context, because every cell-death program is a net result of self-propagating signals and other signals that suppress the other cell-death programs2. Deficient cell death is frequently involved in early cancer development and tumour resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy5. Increasingly, evidence suggests that PCD is closely related to anti-cancer therapy. The cancer therapy is improved by targeting

type I, apoptosis; type II, autophagy; and type III, programmed necrosis1,2.

**1. Introduction** 

shared with other cell-death outcomes.

the PCD pathway.

circumventing human papillomavirus oncogene expression,*Oncogene* , 20:4768-76. ISSN: 09509232


### **Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer**

#### Yang Sun and Jia-hua Liu

*Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian China* 

#### **1. Introduction**

252 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Gupta, SK; Singh, A; Srivastava, M; Gupta, SK & Akhoon, BA. (2009) In silico DNA vaccine

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Tambunan, USF & Parikesit, AA. (2010). Cracking The Genetic Code of Human Virus by

Tambunan, USF; Parikesit, AA;, Tochary, TA & Sugiono, D. (2007). Computational Study of

Tambunan, USF; Butar-Butar ,HW; Umbas, R & Hidayah, Z. (2007). Conserved Region

Voet, D., Voet J.G. (1995). *Biochemistry,* John Willey and Sons Inc,. ISBN-13: 978-0471586517,

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papillomavirus DNA in clinical specimens: a tool for clinical management of equivocal Pap smears and for population screening, J*ournal of obstetrics and* 

Structure Based Approach (Docking Versus Pharmacophore Model Generation), *Letters in Drug Design & Discovery,* Volume 6 Issue 7.pp.494-501. ISSN: 1570-1808. Subha, K & Kumar, GR. (2008). Assessment for the identification of better HDAC inhibitor

class through binding energy calculations and descriptor analysis., *Bioinformation,* 

HDAC inhibitor through binding energy calculations and descriptor analysis, *BMC* 

using Open Source Bioinformatics tools, J*ournal of Fundamental Science*, 6(1).ISSN:

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Analysis of Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Genome., *Biotechnology,* (6)1: 93-96.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a basic biological phenomenon that plays an important role during development, preservation of tissue homeostasis, and elimination of damaged cells. Several nomenclature systems have been proposed to classify PCD. One widely accepted system describes three major morphologies of programmed cell death, and classifies PCD as type I, apoptosis; type II, autophagy; and type III, programmed necrosis1,2.

Type I, apoptotic cell death, acts as part of a quality-control and repair mechanism by elimination of unwanted, genetically damaged, or senescent cells, and as such is critically important for the development of organisms. Highly conserved in both plants and animals, it is also the cell-death mechanism best characterized at both genetic and biochemical levels3. Type II, autophagic cell death, is a catabolic process conserved among all eukaryotes from yeast to mammals4; it is a mechanism by which organelles are removed. Autophagic cell death is the primary degradation mechanism for long-lived proteins, and thus maintains quality control for proteins and organelles to enhance survival under conditions of scarcity or starvation. Type III, programmed necrosis, is a passive process that usually affects large fields of cells; in contrast, apoptosis and autophagy are controlled and energy-dependent and can affect individual cells or clusters of cells. Perhaps the most remarkable characteristic of programmed necrosis is that this death outcome appears as a distinct entity, not by exclusive engagement of selected effectors, but rather, by combinatorial use of the effectors shared with other cell-death outcomes.

Although all three types of PCD can occur normally as a homeostatic mechanism to maintain the cell population in tissues, dysregulation of the delicate balance between cell life and PCD has tremendous pathological implications. The type of cell death that occurs depends on the stimulus and the cellular context, because every cell-death program is a net result of self-propagating signals and other signals that suppress the other cell-death programs2. Deficient cell death is frequently involved in early cancer development and tumour resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy5. Increasingly, evidence suggests that PCD is closely related to anti-cancer therapy. The cancer therapy is improved by targeting the PCD pathway.

Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer 255

the release of proapoptotic proteins, such as cytochrome c, from mitochondria to cytosol (intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway)8. Some evidence has indicated that the two pathways are linked and that molecules involved in one pathway can influence the other9. The death receptor pathway is activated through the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokine receptors, and has a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, particularly in immune recognition. The Bcl-2 family of proteins plays a central role in controlling the mitochondrial pathway. Different members of the Bcl-2 family localize to the cytoplasm or to different subcellular compartments in healthy cells. However, upon receiving a death stimulus, most of these proteins carry out their functions at various intracellular membranes, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial membranes. More than 20 members of this family have been identified to date in humans, including suppressors (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, Bfl-1/A1, Bcl-W, Bcl-G) and promoters (Bax, Bak, Bok,

The central players in both pathways are the caspases (the cysteine-dependent, aspartatespecific family of proteases), which also function as the executioner in apoptotic cell death11. Regulated at the post-translational level, caspases are synthesized as pro-caspases. Under stimulation of pro-apoptotic signals from different sources, pro-caspases are digested by protease to become active caspases. Mitochondrial dynamics contribute substantially to apoptotic pathways by stimulation of caspases, and by chromosomal fragmentation12,13.

The extrinsic pathway is triggered at the cell surface through cytokine-induced death by receptor-mediated activation of caspase-8 or caspase-10, followed by activation of caspase-3 and -73. The intrinsic pathway is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cytochrome c release followed by formation of apoptosomes and subsequent activation of caspase-9 followed by caspases-3 and -7. Bid connects the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Cleavage of Bid by caspase-8 produces a truncated Bid fragment14 that initiates mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through the multidomain pro-death molecules Bax or Bak15. In turn, Bax/Bak translocation to mitochondria induces the release of cytochrome

An additional pathway involves T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity and perforin-granzymedependent cell death. The perforin/granzyme pathway can induce apoptosis via either granzyme A or granzyme B. The granzyme A pathway activates a parallel, caspaseindependent cell-death pathway via single-stranded-DNA damage16. The extrinsic, intrinsic,

Autophagy is a physiological process that plays an important role in the turnover of cellular proteins and other macromolecules. Moreover, it is the major catabolic route for eukaryotic cells to salvage essential molecules, and to maintain an adequate amino acid level to sustain protein synthesis during nutritional deprivation17. It is characterized by mitochondrial dilation, extensive intracellular membrane remodeling, and the generation of autophagosomes, large organelles that engulf various cellular constituents in double or multiple membranes. Autophagosomes subsequently fuse with lysosomes to become autolysosomes, where sequestered cellular components are digested18. Amino acids and fatty acids generated by this process can be used for protein synthesis, or can be oxidized by

Bad, Bid, Bik, Bim, Bcl-Xs, Krk, Mtd, Nip3, Nix, Nora, Bcl-B) of apoptosis10.

c into the cytosol and subsequent activation of the executioner caspases.

and granzyme B pathways converge on the same terminal pathway.

**2.2 Autophagy** 

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent malignancy of the female reproductive system. Several randomized controlled studies have shown survival benefits of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery in locally advanced cervical cancer. Survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy depends on high chemoresponsiveness. Considerable evidence indicates that platinum can kill cells through the induction of apoptosis; however, cancer cells, in their relentless drive to survive, hijack cell processes, resulting in resistance to apoptosis. This resistance underlies not only tumorigenesis, but also the inherent resistance of certain cancers to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Fortunately, in addition to inducing apoptosis, a number of chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to induce nonapoptotic forms of cell death. The significance of nonapoptotic cell death in chemotherapy, and the mechanisms by which it is induced remain less well understood. Given the fact that most cancer cells have defects in the response to induction of apoptosis, it would be desirable if therapeutic agents could kill cancer cells resistant to apoptosis through alternative mechanisms.

In this chapter, we firstly review the main features and functions of all three types of programmed cell death, and further elucidate the intricate relationship between apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. We discuss the dual roles of autophagy in cancer and highlighted their relationship to tumor suppression and tumor progression. We also review several key autophagic mediators that play pivotal roles in autophagic signaling networks in cancer. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of autophagy as well as the autophagy process itself represents new directions in the development of cervical cancer therapies.

#### **2. Basic features of PCD**

Programmed cell death displays several cellular phenotypes affecting various intracellular organelles and membranes, and the cell nucleus. For example, the well-characterized processes of cytoplasmic and chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, membrane blebbing, and formation of membrane-bound apoptotic bodies are part of apoptosis. Autophagy involves the formation of a double-membrane vesicle which encapsulates cytoplasm and organelles, and fuses with lysosomes, thus resulting in the degradation of the vesicle contents. Programmed necrosis is characterized by the presence of swelling organelles followed by the appearance of "empty" spaces in the cytoplasm that merge and make connections with the extracellular space. The plasma membrane is fragmented, but the nucleus is relatively preserved6.

#### **2.1 Apoptosis**

The major biochemical features of apoptosis are activation of intracellular proteases especially caspases, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Changes in several cell surface molecules also ensure that apoptotic cells are immediately recognized and phagocytized by neighboring cells in tissues, with the result that many cells can be deleted from tissues in relatively short time. Therefore, apoptosis results in the orderly elimination of cells without generating an inflammatory response7.

The apoptosis cascade can be initiated via two major pathways, involving either activation of death receptors in response to ligand binding (extrinsic or death-receptor pathway), or the release of proapoptotic proteins, such as cytochrome c, from mitochondria to cytosol (intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway)8. Some evidence has indicated that the two pathways are linked and that molecules involved in one pathway can influence the other9. The death receptor pathway is activated through the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokine receptors, and has a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, particularly in immune recognition. The Bcl-2 family of proteins plays a central role in controlling the mitochondrial pathway. Different members of the Bcl-2 family localize to the cytoplasm or to different subcellular compartments in healthy cells. However, upon receiving a death stimulus, most of these proteins carry out their functions at various intracellular membranes, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial membranes. More than 20 members of this family have been identified to date in humans, including suppressors (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, Bfl-1/A1, Bcl-W, Bcl-G) and promoters (Bax, Bak, Bok, Bad, Bid, Bik, Bim, Bcl-Xs, Krk, Mtd, Nip3, Nix, Nora, Bcl-B) of apoptosis10.

The central players in both pathways are the caspases (the cysteine-dependent, aspartatespecific family of proteases), which also function as the executioner in apoptotic cell death11. Regulated at the post-translational level, caspases are synthesized as pro-caspases. Under stimulation of pro-apoptotic signals from different sources, pro-caspases are digested by protease to become active caspases. Mitochondrial dynamics contribute substantially to apoptotic pathways by stimulation of caspases, and by chromosomal fragmentation12,13.

The extrinsic pathway is triggered at the cell surface through cytokine-induced death by receptor-mediated activation of caspase-8 or caspase-10, followed by activation of caspase-3 and -73. The intrinsic pathway is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cytochrome c release followed by formation of apoptosomes and subsequent activation of caspase-9 followed by caspases-3 and -7. Bid connects the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Cleavage of Bid by caspase-8 produces a truncated Bid fragment14 that initiates mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through the multidomain pro-death molecules Bax or Bak15. In turn, Bax/Bak translocation to mitochondria induces the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and subsequent activation of the executioner caspases.

An additional pathway involves T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity and perforin-granzymedependent cell death. The perforin/granzyme pathway can induce apoptosis via either granzyme A or granzyme B. The granzyme A pathway activates a parallel, caspaseindependent cell-death pathway via single-stranded-DNA damage16. The extrinsic, intrinsic, and granzyme B pathways converge on the same terminal pathway.

#### **2.2 Autophagy**

254 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent malignancy of the female reproductive system. Several randomized controlled studies have shown survival benefits of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery in locally advanced cervical cancer. Survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy depends on high chemoresponsiveness. Considerable evidence indicates that platinum can kill cells through the induction of apoptosis; however, cancer cells, in their relentless drive to survive, hijack cell processes, resulting in resistance to apoptosis. This resistance underlies not only tumorigenesis, but also the inherent resistance of certain cancers to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Fortunately, in addition to inducing apoptosis, a number of chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to induce nonapoptotic forms of cell death. The significance of nonapoptotic cell death in chemotherapy, and the mechanisms by which it is induced remain less well understood. Given the fact that most cancer cells have defects in the response to induction of apoptosis, it would be desirable if therapeutic agents could kill cancer cells resistant to apoptosis through

In this chapter, we firstly review the main features and functions of all three types of programmed cell death, and further elucidate the intricate relationship between apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. We discuss the dual roles of autophagy in cancer and highlighted their relationship to tumor suppression and tumor progression. We also review several key autophagic mediators that play pivotal roles in autophagic signaling networks in cancer. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of autophagy as well as the autophagy process itself represents new directions in the development of cervical cancer

Programmed cell death displays several cellular phenotypes affecting various intracellular organelles and membranes, and the cell nucleus. For example, the well-characterized processes of cytoplasmic and chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, membrane blebbing, and formation of membrane-bound apoptotic bodies are part of apoptosis. Autophagy involves the formation of a double-membrane vesicle which encapsulates cytoplasm and organelles, and fuses with lysosomes, thus resulting in the degradation of the vesicle contents. Programmed necrosis is characterized by the presence of swelling organelles followed by the appearance of "empty" spaces in the cytoplasm that merge and make connections with the extracellular space. The plasma membrane is fragmented, but the

The major biochemical features of apoptosis are activation of intracellular proteases especially caspases, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Changes in several cell surface molecules also ensure that apoptotic cells are immediately recognized and phagocytized by neighboring cells in tissues, with the result that many cells can be deleted from tissues in relatively short time. Therefore, apoptosis results in the orderly elimination

The apoptosis cascade can be initiated via two major pathways, involving either activation of death receptors in response to ligand binding (extrinsic or death-receptor pathway), or

alternative mechanisms.

**2. Basic features of PCD** 

nucleus is relatively preserved6.

of cells without generating an inflammatory response7.

**2.1 Apoptosis** 

therapies.

Autophagy is a physiological process that plays an important role in the turnover of cellular proteins and other macromolecules. Moreover, it is the major catabolic route for eukaryotic cells to salvage essential molecules, and to maintain an adequate amino acid level to sustain protein synthesis during nutritional deprivation17. It is characterized by mitochondrial dilation, extensive intracellular membrane remodeling, and the generation of autophagosomes, large organelles that engulf various cellular constituents in double or multiple membranes. Autophagosomes subsequently fuse with lysosomes to become autolysosomes, where sequestered cellular components are digested18. Amino acids and fatty acids generated by this process can be used for protein synthesis, or can be oxidized by

Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer 257

Apoptosis is a major defense mechanism against malignant transformation. In fact, failures in normal apoptotic pathways contribute to carcinogenesis by creating a permissive environment for genetic instability and the accumulation of gene mutations. Tumour cells

Cancer cells can acquire resistance to apoptosis by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 or by the down-regulation or mutation of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax. The expression of both Bcl-2 and Bax are regulated by the product of the *P53* tumour suppressor gene, a transcription factor that regulates the cell cycle, and which mutation occurs in over half of all human tumors. Among the remaining tumors, although they may process a wild-type *P53*, the pathways of *P53*-induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis are deficient. Therefore, *P53* serves as a unique molecular target for cancer therapy. PRIMA-1 (*P53* reactivation and induction of massive apoptosis) is the second class of compounds reported to have the capability of restoring tumor-suppressor function to mutant *P53,* and it does not appear to have an effect on wild-type *P53*. This makes PRIMA-1 unique among all the chemotherapeutics currently used in the clinic34. In addition, p73 belongs to a small but important family of p53-related proteins (p53, p63, p73). The *Trp73* gene contains two promoters that drive the expression of two major groups of p73 isoforms with opposing cellular actions: The TAp73 isoforms contain the p73 transactivation domain (TA) and exhibit proapoptotic activities, whereas the ∆Np73 isoforms lacking the N-terminal TA domain are anti-apoptotic. It has been proposed that a loss of p73 function might lead to tumorigenesis35, and that TAp73 down-regulation may be coupled with ∆Np73 up-regulation in some tumors36. Therefore, ∆Np73 is a marker of poor prognosis in many cancers, and pharmacological attempts are being made to inhibit ∆Np73 expression. Another mechanism of apoptosis-

An agent that can selectively induce cell death in transformed cells without affecting normal cells would be an ideal anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent. In fact, the molecular mechanisms that control and execute apoptotic cell death in cancer growth and resistance have been coming into focus and are enabling a new era of drug development for cancer treatment38.

A variety of experimental approaches have been explored in the development of anti-cancer compounds that block Bcl-2 function. These include the use of antisense oligonucleotides to Bcl-2 that target gene expression at the mRNA level, peptides that mimic BH3 domains and bind to the pocket of Bcl-2 where pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins would normally bind, and small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 function. The first attempt to introduce an agent that specifically targets Bcl-2 was made by Genta with their antisense DNA agent, oblimersen. On the basis of preclinical studies that found that antisense inhibition of Bcl2 levels could induce death in cancer cell lines, they designed a phosphorothioate DNA molecule complementary to Bcl2. More recently, in a study of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), an improvement in response rate was observed in relapsed CLL patients when oblimersen was added to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide39. Albeit limited and not as diverse, some studies have also designed gene therapy approaches to enhance the activities of pro-death Bcl-2 proteins. Adenoviral vectors expressing these genes have recently been constructed with the goal of delivering them into cancer cells. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Bax, Bcl-Xs, Bik and others has been a successful strategy for killing various cancer cell lines40,41. In addition, Cancer cells produce higher levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) than normal cells due to increased

**3.1 Apoptosis based therapeutic strategies** 

use a variety of molecular mechanisms to suppress apoptosis.

suppression in cancer involves evasion of immune surveillance37.

the mitochondrial electron transport chain to produce ATP for cell survival under starvation conditions19. In addition to promoting cell survival, autophagy can lead to cell death.

Based on the mechanisms used for the delivery of cargo to lysosomes, autophagy has been classified into three different types: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperonemediated autophagy (CMA)20. Unlike apoptosis, which relies on the activation of caspases that cleave hundreds of target proteins21, autophagic cell death is caspase-independent22. Indeed, autophagic cell death has been demonstrated in cells with profound defects in the apoptosis machinery23 and in cells grown in the presence of caspase inhibitors24. Cells undergoing autophagic cell death look different from cells undergoing apoptosis. The characteristic cellular morphology of apoptosis results from caspase cleavage of cytoskeletal and other structural proteins21; apoptotic cells show early degradation of the cytoskeleton, but preserve organelles until fairly late in the process. In contrast, autophagic cell death is associated with accumulation of large numbers of autophagic vesicles, which degrade organelles early in the process, while the cytoskeleton remains intact and functional until late in the process25.

Morphologic changes, such as chromatin condensation or membrane blebbing, may also occur in autophagic cell death, but there is no DNA fragmentation or formation of apoptotic bodies26. Over 30 *ATG* genes have been identified in yeast and at least 11 (*ATG1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12* and *16*) have orthologs in mammals, *ATG6* is also known as *BECN1* (Beclin 1) and *ATG8* is commonly called *LC3* in mammals.

#### **2.3 Programmed necrosis**

Accumulating evidence supports a 'sequence' of events that characterize necrotic cell death at both the phenomenological and the biochemical level, thereby reflecting a programmed course of events in the dying necrotic cell, and contributing to a definition of necrotic cell death. In addition, in some circumstances the 'occurrence' of necrotic cell death is also programmed. Type III PCD, programmed necrosis, is not due to one well-described signalling cascade, but is the result of interplay between several signalling pathways.

The lack of caspase and lysosomal involvement distinguishes programmed necrosis from other types PCD. Programmed necrosis is characterized by early swelling of intracellular organelles such as mitochondria, ER, and Golgi apparatus, followed by loss of plasma membrane integrity. After signalling- or damage-induced lesions, necrosis can include signs of controlled processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction, enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species, ATP depletion, or proteolysis by calpains and cathepsins27. In addition, programmed necrosis is also typically associated with nuclear degradation that is accompanied by the release of nuclear factors such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) that triggers a potent inflammatory response28,29. Recent reports describe that this programmed necrosis is firmly regulated and, depending on the cell-death system and/or PCD insult, implicates different proteins, such as TRAIL, TRADD, TRAF2, JNK1, RIP1, XRCC1, AIF, calpains, Bax, or Drp16,30-32.

#### **3. PCD-based therapeutic strategies against cancer**

Deregulation of the cellular pathways leading to PCD in mammals can cause a number of disease states, including neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmunity, and most prominently, various cancers33.

#### **3.1 Apoptosis based therapeutic strategies**

256 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

the mitochondrial electron transport chain to produce ATP for cell survival under starvation

Based on the mechanisms used for the delivery of cargo to lysosomes, autophagy has been classified into three different types: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperonemediated autophagy (CMA)20. Unlike apoptosis, which relies on the activation of caspases that cleave hundreds of target proteins21, autophagic cell death is caspase-independent22. Indeed, autophagic cell death has been demonstrated in cells with profound defects in the apoptosis machinery23 and in cells grown in the presence of caspase inhibitors24. Cells undergoing autophagic cell death look different from cells undergoing apoptosis. The characteristic cellular morphology of apoptosis results from caspase cleavage of cytoskeletal and other structural proteins21; apoptotic cells show early degradation of the cytoskeleton, but preserve organelles until fairly late in the process. In contrast, autophagic cell death is associated with accumulation of large numbers of autophagic vesicles, which degrade organelles early in the

conditions19. In addition to promoting cell survival, autophagy can lead to cell death.

process, while the cytoskeleton remains intact and functional until late in the process25.

*ATG8* is commonly called *LC3* in mammals.

XRCC1, AIF, calpains, Bax, or Drp16,30-32.

various cancers33.

**3. PCD-based therapeutic strategies against cancer** 

**2.3 Programmed necrosis** 

Morphologic changes, such as chromatin condensation or membrane blebbing, may also occur in autophagic cell death, but there is no DNA fragmentation or formation of apoptotic bodies26. Over 30 *ATG* genes have been identified in yeast and at least 11 (*ATG1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12* and *16*) have orthologs in mammals, *ATG6* is also known as *BECN1* (Beclin 1) and

Accumulating evidence supports a 'sequence' of events that characterize necrotic cell death at both the phenomenological and the biochemical level, thereby reflecting a programmed course of events in the dying necrotic cell, and contributing to a definition of necrotic cell death. In addition, in some circumstances the 'occurrence' of necrotic cell death is also programmed. Type III PCD, programmed necrosis, is not due to one well-described

The lack of caspase and lysosomal involvement distinguishes programmed necrosis from other types PCD. Programmed necrosis is characterized by early swelling of intracellular organelles such as mitochondria, ER, and Golgi apparatus, followed by loss of plasma membrane integrity. After signalling- or damage-induced lesions, necrosis can include signs of controlled processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction, enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species, ATP depletion, or proteolysis by calpains and cathepsins27. In addition, programmed necrosis is also typically associated with nuclear degradation that is accompanied by the release of nuclear factors such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) that triggers a potent inflammatory response28,29. Recent reports describe that this programmed necrosis is firmly regulated and, depending on the cell-death system and/or PCD insult, implicates different proteins, such as TRAIL, TRADD, TRAF2, JNK1, RIP1,

Deregulation of the cellular pathways leading to PCD in mammals can cause a number of disease states, including neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmunity, and most prominently,

signalling cascade, but is the result of interplay between several signalling pathways.

Apoptosis is a major defense mechanism against malignant transformation. In fact, failures in normal apoptotic pathways contribute to carcinogenesis by creating a permissive environment for genetic instability and the accumulation of gene mutations. Tumour cells use a variety of molecular mechanisms to suppress apoptosis.

Cancer cells can acquire resistance to apoptosis by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 or by the down-regulation or mutation of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax. The expression of both Bcl-2 and Bax are regulated by the product of the *P53* tumour suppressor gene, a transcription factor that regulates the cell cycle, and which mutation occurs in over half of all human tumors. Among the remaining tumors, although they may process a wild-type *P53*, the pathways of *P53*-induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis are deficient. Therefore, *P53* serves as a unique molecular target for cancer therapy. PRIMA-1 (*P53* reactivation and induction of massive apoptosis) is the second class of compounds reported to have the capability of restoring tumor-suppressor function to mutant *P53,* and it does not appear to have an effect on wild-type *P53*. This makes PRIMA-1 unique among all the chemotherapeutics currently used in the clinic34. In addition, p73 belongs to a small but important family of p53-related proteins (p53, p63, p73). The *Trp73* gene contains two promoters that drive the expression of two major groups of p73 isoforms with opposing cellular actions: The TAp73 isoforms contain the p73 transactivation domain (TA) and exhibit proapoptotic activities, whereas the ∆Np73 isoforms lacking the N-terminal TA domain are anti-apoptotic. It has been proposed that a loss of p73 function might lead to tumorigenesis35, and that TAp73 down-regulation may be coupled with ∆Np73 up-regulation in some tumors36. Therefore, ∆Np73 is a marker of poor prognosis in many cancers, and pharmacological attempts are being made to inhibit ∆Np73 expression. Another mechanism of apoptosissuppression in cancer involves evasion of immune surveillance37.

An agent that can selectively induce cell death in transformed cells without affecting normal cells would be an ideal anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent. In fact, the molecular mechanisms that control and execute apoptotic cell death in cancer growth and resistance have been coming into focus and are enabling a new era of drug development for cancer treatment38.

A variety of experimental approaches have been explored in the development of anti-cancer compounds that block Bcl-2 function. These include the use of antisense oligonucleotides to Bcl-2 that target gene expression at the mRNA level, peptides that mimic BH3 domains and bind to the pocket of Bcl-2 where pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins would normally bind, and small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 function. The first attempt to introduce an agent that specifically targets Bcl-2 was made by Genta with their antisense DNA agent, oblimersen. On the basis of preclinical studies that found that antisense inhibition of Bcl2 levels could induce death in cancer cell lines, they designed a phosphorothioate DNA molecule complementary to Bcl2. More recently, in a study of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), an improvement in response rate was observed in relapsed CLL patients when oblimersen was added to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide39. Albeit limited and not as diverse, some studies have also designed gene therapy approaches to enhance the activities of pro-death Bcl-2 proteins. Adenoviral vectors expressing these genes have recently been constructed with the goal of delivering them into cancer cells. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Bax, Bcl-Xs, Bik and others has been a successful strategy for killing various cancer cell lines40,41. In addition, Cancer cells produce higher levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) than normal cells due to increased

Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer 259

autophagy can promote autophagic cell death23. Inhibition of autophagy is important in cancer therapy. The process of cancer metastasis necessarily requires that tumour cells survive in isolation from the primary tumour, without its nutrient support system. Thus,

Potential synergy with proteasome inhibitors is another reason for the use of autophagy inhibitors. The ubiquitin-mediated proteasome protein degradation pathway is functionally compensatory with protein turnover by lysosomal degradation through the autophagy pathway61,62. Therefore, protein degradation that is mediated by autophagy and proteasomes may be lethally exclusive to tumour cells with a high metabolic rate, or with increased susceptibility to the production of unfolded proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is an intracellular proteolytic system which regulates the degradation of a broad spectrum of intracellular proteins, including diverse regulators of cell proliferation or apoptosis. Both bortezomid- and lenalidomide-based therapies are especially active, with bortezomib in particular being shown to provide a platform for combination, which is able to overcome resistance in this setting. Bortezomib,a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor,represents the prototypic member of a class of peptide boronate proteasome inhibitors of 26S proteasome activity, and has been approved by the US Food and Drug

Type III PCD, programmed necrosis, is usually defined in a negative fashion, as a type of cell demise that involves rupture of the plasma membrane without the hallmarks of apoptosis and without massive autophagic vacuolization. Necrosis lacks specific biochemical markers apart from the presence of plasma membrane permeabilization, and can be detected only by electron microscopy. Necrosis is considered to be harmful because it is often associated with pathological cell loss and because of the ability of necrotic cells to promote local inflammation that may support tumour growth64. However, necrotic cell death is induced in cancer cells by the therapeutic administration of alkylating DNA damaging agents65 and photosensitizing molecules that preferentially accumulate in tumour

The ultimate goal of anticancer therapy is to kill cancer cells quickly and effectively. Over the past two decades, it has become clear that cell death, in both malignant and nonmalignant cells, can be an active, regulated program. Thus, elucidation of the programmed cell-death pathways will provide new insight into tumour biology, revealing novel strategies for combating cancer. Tumour cells can only persist if they ignore the requirement for senescence that is imposed on all cells of organisms. Failure to execute PCD is usually a reflection of defective or absent molecular components of the cell-death machinery. Cervical cancer is second only to breast cancer in women as the most common of gynecologic malignancies, and it remains one of the most important causes of mortality in women worldwide. In recent years, cervical cancer has been affecting younger women. Because radiation therapy will negatively affect ovarian function in women of reproductive age, chemotherapy for cervical cancer has been receiving increased attention from clinicians. Although platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an attractive option for

cells and generate ROS following excitation with light from various spectra66,67.

early metastases may be particularly susceptible to inhibition of autophagy.

Administration, shows efficacy in treating multiple myeloma63.

**4. The relationship of PCD to cervical cancer therapy** 

**3.3 Programmed necrosis based therapeutic strategies** 

metabolic stress and proliferative rate.42-44 Excessive ROS production may increase the permeability of lysosomal membranes, leading to release of lysosomal proteases, which further contribute to mitochondrial membrane impairment11 and cancer progression43-45. It has been reported42 that increasing ROS generation selectively sensitizes oncogenically transformed cells to β-phenylethyl-isothiocyanate-induced cell death, suggesting that increasing ROS generation in cancer cells could be a strategy for cancer therapy.

The selective activation of caspases might be a valuable strategy for combating cancer where pathogensis is related to insufficient cell death. Several strategies that trigger caspase activation have been developed, and several drugs that act in this way are currently being tested in preclinical trials. Therapeutic strategies have included adenovirus-mediated expression of caspases-3, -6, -8 and -9, which has resulted in both *in vivo* and *in vitro* antitumourogenic activities46. In addition, adenoviral gene therapy approaches have also been used in the delivery of caspase constructs that can be activated on demand by the addition of a compound readily able to penetrate the cell membrane. The strategy relies on the fusion of caspases to one or chimeric "death switches", which can be activated by chemical inducers of dimerization specific for a given construct47. There is considerable evidence that cysteine cathepsins play an important role in executing the apoptotic program in several tumour cell lines induced by death ligands such as TNF-,49 or TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)50. In the last few years, an apoptosis inducing agent, TRAIL, that was shown to target cancer cells specifically without damaging normal cells and tissues has received special interest in cancer therapy. Several groups recently discovered a cathepsinmediated proteolytic event in the apoptotic pathway triggered by TRAIL. First, the inhibition of TRAIL-induced apoptosis was observed upon treatment of oral squamous carcinoma cells with cathepsin inhibitors51. Subsequently, the pathway for apoptosis induction through Bid activation was confirmed in several other tumour cell lines50,52,53.

#### **3.2 Autophagy based therapeutic strategies**

In tumour cells in which the quality control mechanisms of both apoptosis and autophagy are disabled, failure to maintain energy homeostasis accelerates the generation of damaged cells54. This failure of protein/organelle quality control to curtail the accumulation of damaged proteins and organelles through autophagy may have a broad impact on cellular functions, leading either directly or indirectly to genome damage that promotes tumourigenesis. This may mean that autophagy is one of the mechanisms that contribute to the breakdown of cell growth control in cancer 55.

In contrast to the potential cancer-promoting effect of autophagy, numerous observations have demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations in the autophagy pathway are associated with tumour progression56,57. Furthermore, constitutive activation of the PI3K pathway is one of the most common events in human cancer58, and the downstream kinase mTOR restricts autophagy induction in response to starvation59. Although many human cancers exhibit mutations in pro-autophagy genes, and several tumour suppressor genes (*e.g., DAPK*, *PTEN*, and *TP53*) can stimulate autophagy60, the molecular mechanism through which autophagy inhibits oncogenesis is currently unclear.

Therapeutically induced autophagic cell death is another method for tumour-cell killing. Especially in apoptosis-defective cells, autophagy is often induced by cytotoxic drugs; the excessive cellular damage and attempt to remediate that damage through progressive

metabolic stress and proliferative rate.42-44 Excessive ROS production may increase the permeability of lysosomal membranes, leading to release of lysosomal proteases, which further contribute to mitochondrial membrane impairment11 and cancer progression43-45. It has been reported42 that increasing ROS generation selectively sensitizes oncogenically transformed cells to β-phenylethyl-isothiocyanate-induced cell death, suggesting that

The selective activation of caspases might be a valuable strategy for combating cancer where pathogensis is related to insufficient cell death. Several strategies that trigger caspase activation have been developed, and several drugs that act in this way are currently being tested in preclinical trials. Therapeutic strategies have included adenovirus-mediated expression of caspases-3, -6, -8 and -9, which has resulted in both *in vivo* and *in vitro* antitumourogenic activities46. In addition, adenoviral gene therapy approaches have also been used in the delivery of caspase constructs that can be activated on demand by the addition of a compound readily able to penetrate the cell membrane. The strategy relies on the fusion of caspases to one or chimeric "death switches", which can be activated by chemical inducers of dimerization specific for a given construct47. There is considerable evidence that cysteine cathepsins play an important role in executing the apoptotic program in several tumour cell lines induced by death ligands such as TNF-,49 or TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)50. In the last few years, an apoptosis inducing agent, TRAIL, that was shown to target cancer cells specifically without damaging normal cells and tissues has received special interest in cancer therapy. Several groups recently discovered a cathepsinmediated proteolytic event in the apoptotic pathway triggered by TRAIL. First, the inhibition of TRAIL-induced apoptosis was observed upon treatment of oral squamous carcinoma cells with cathepsin inhibitors51. Subsequently, the pathway for apoptosis induction through Bid activation was confirmed in several other tumour cell lines50,52,53.

In tumour cells in which the quality control mechanisms of both apoptosis and autophagy are disabled, failure to maintain energy homeostasis accelerates the generation of damaged cells54. This failure of protein/organelle quality control to curtail the accumulation of damaged proteins and organelles through autophagy may have a broad impact on cellular functions, leading either directly or indirectly to genome damage that promotes tumourigenesis. This may mean that autophagy is one of the mechanisms that contribute to

In contrast to the potential cancer-promoting effect of autophagy, numerous observations have demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations in the autophagy pathway are associated with tumour progression56,57. Furthermore, constitutive activation of the PI3K pathway is one of the most common events in human cancer58, and the downstream kinase mTOR restricts autophagy induction in response to starvation59. Although many human cancers exhibit mutations in pro-autophagy genes, and several tumour suppressor genes (*e.g., DAPK*, *PTEN*, and *TP53*) can stimulate autophagy60, the molecular mechanism through

Therapeutically induced autophagic cell death is another method for tumour-cell killing. Especially in apoptosis-defective cells, autophagy is often induced by cytotoxic drugs; the excessive cellular damage and attempt to remediate that damage through progressive

increasing ROS generation in cancer cells could be a strategy for cancer therapy.

**3.2 Autophagy based therapeutic strategies** 

the breakdown of cell growth control in cancer 55.

which autophagy inhibits oncogenesis is currently unclear.

autophagy can promote autophagic cell death23. Inhibition of autophagy is important in cancer therapy. The process of cancer metastasis necessarily requires that tumour cells survive in isolation from the primary tumour, without its nutrient support system. Thus, early metastases may be particularly susceptible to inhibition of autophagy.

Potential synergy with proteasome inhibitors is another reason for the use of autophagy inhibitors. The ubiquitin-mediated proteasome protein degradation pathway is functionally compensatory with protein turnover by lysosomal degradation through the autophagy pathway61,62. Therefore, protein degradation that is mediated by autophagy and proteasomes may be lethally exclusive to tumour cells with a high metabolic rate, or with increased susceptibility to the production of unfolded proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is an intracellular proteolytic system which regulates the degradation of a broad spectrum of intracellular proteins, including diverse regulators of cell proliferation or apoptosis. Both bortezomid- and lenalidomide-based therapies are especially active, with bortezomib in particular being shown to provide a platform for combination, which is able to overcome resistance in this setting. Bortezomib,a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor,represents the prototypic member of a class of peptide boronate proteasome inhibitors of 26S proteasome activity, and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, shows efficacy in treating multiple myeloma63.

#### **3.3 Programmed necrosis based therapeutic strategies**

Type III PCD, programmed necrosis, is usually defined in a negative fashion, as a type of cell demise that involves rupture of the plasma membrane without the hallmarks of apoptosis and without massive autophagic vacuolization. Necrosis lacks specific biochemical markers apart from the presence of plasma membrane permeabilization, and can be detected only by electron microscopy. Necrosis is considered to be harmful because it is often associated with pathological cell loss and because of the ability of necrotic cells to promote local inflammation that may support tumour growth64. However, necrotic cell death is induced in cancer cells by the therapeutic administration of alkylating DNA damaging agents65 and photosensitizing molecules that preferentially accumulate in tumour cells and generate ROS following excitation with light from various spectra66,67.

#### **4. The relationship of PCD to cervical cancer therapy**

The ultimate goal of anticancer therapy is to kill cancer cells quickly and effectively. Over the past two decades, it has become clear that cell death, in both malignant and nonmalignant cells, can be an active, regulated program. Thus, elucidation of the programmed cell-death pathways will provide new insight into tumour biology, revealing novel strategies for combating cancer. Tumour cells can only persist if they ignore the requirement for senescence that is imposed on all cells of organisms. Failure to execute PCD is usually a reflection of defective or absent molecular components of the cell-death machinery. Cervical cancer is second only to breast cancer in women as the most common of gynecologic malignancies, and it remains one of the most important causes of mortality in women worldwide. In recent years, cervical cancer has been affecting younger women. Because radiation therapy will negatively affect ovarian function in women of reproductive age, chemotherapy for cervical cancer has been receiving increased attention from clinicians. Although platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an attractive option for

Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer 261

anthracycline (epirubicin), to detect the role of Beclin1 in chemosensitivity. We found that Beclin1 overexpression in CaSki cells reduced cell survival following exposure to all four anticancer drugs. However, down-regulation of endogenous Beclin1 by siRNA in the CaSki cells did not lead to obvious resistance to the anti-cancer drugs. Taken together, these data provide evidence that Beclin1 is associated with chemosensitivity and the level of expression causes changes in response to chemotherapeutic drugs in cervical cancer, at least *in vitro,* despite the

It has been suggested the mitochondrion may be the central organelle that integrates apoptosis and autophagy80. A positive feedback mechanism can be elicited by the activation and maturation of pre-apoptotic factors from autophagic processes in mitochondria, and lead to cell destruction through apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. Autophagy can stop cells from undergoing apoptosis by sequestration of damaged mitochondria81. Moreover, some of the signals that are involved in apoptosis may also be involved in autophagy. For example, in both apoptosis and autophagy, there is the coordinated regulation of Akt and p70S6 kinase. Other proteins that may be part of the network connecting the two types of cell death include DAPK, Beclin1, BNIP3, HSpin1, or protymosin-*α*82. In our previous study73, we found that both autophagy and apoptosis were activated during carboplatin-induced death of cervical cancer cells. Beclin1 may act as an orchestrator, integrating apoptotic and autophagic activities. Another study demonstrated that autophagy and apoptosis contribute to etoposide-induced CaSki cervical cancer cell death, and autophagy may be the predominant mechanism of etoposide-induced cell death83. In addition, multiple death stimuli converge on mitochondria to provoke MOMP and release of apoptogenic factors such as cytochrome c, Smac/Diablo, Omi/HtrA2, Endonuclease G (Endo G), or AIF. Once released into the cytosol, these proteins

Increasing evidence indicates that programmed necrosis can occur as a result of the activation of specific signal transduction cascades, and subsequently can be actualized only on inhibition of apoptosis and/or autophagy. Thus, it might be therapeutically desirable to trigger necrotic cell death in tumour cells that might have been selected to resist apoptotic or

Studies suggest that cell death that usually manifests with an apoptotic morphology can be shifted to a more necrotic morphology when caspase activation is prevented by pharmacological inhibitors, or by the elimination of essential caspase activators such as Apaf-185. In some situations, caspase inhibition can even sensitize cells to the induction of necrosis, thereby reducing the dose of TNFa required to kill some cell lines86. A study found that heat treatment can induce cervical cancer CaSki cell apoptosis and necrosis87. Of the thermal conditions, 45C exhibited the best induction of apoptosis, while 47C induced direct fierce necrosis. This was further demonstrated by examining the expression level of several key apoptosis-related genes: caspase-3, Smac and Survivin. During apoptosis, caspase-3 and Smac levels were up-regulated, whereas anti-apoptotic Survivin was downregulated, enhancing programmed cell death. Similarly, inhibition of autophagy by transfection with constitutively active Akt protein kinase, or knockout of one of the alleles encoding the Beclin1 protein also determines a shift from type II (autophagy) to type III (programmed necrosis) cell death56. Another study88 also suggests that necrotic cell death

distinct damage mechanisms to cancer cells of these drugs78, 79.

initiate apoptosis, autophagy, or programmed necrosis30,31,84.

**4.2 Programmed necrosis and cervical cancer therapy** 

autophagic cell death.

chemotherapy given prior to surgery, and can reduce tumor size and lead to improvement in overall survival, cancer cells often harbor mutations that confer resistance to apoptosis, suggesting the need for other therapeutic approaches that would exploit non-apoptotic cell modes of death or enhance cell apoptosis for cervical cancer therapy.

#### **4.1 Apoptosis autophagy and cervical cancer therapy**

The mechanism of tumour cell killing by an anti-cancer agent determines the way that the agent selects for resistance to the therapy. A drug that induces apoptosis might provide quite different selective pressures on the tumour cell compared with a drug that induces autophagic cell death. Thus, drugs with different mechanisms of action would be expected to have different levels of efficacy against a particular tumour68. On the other hand, the close connections between the apoptosis machinery and other PCD machinery under investigation would be expected to result in simultaneous activation of these PCD processes.

When treating cancer, we often use drugs that cause severe damage to the cell. Regulation of PCD using caspase activators/inhibitors can constitute a treatment for cancer or for other PCD defective/excessive diseases69. Blockage of caspase activation causes degradation of catalase; the resultant increase in ROS generation leads to cell death. Degradation of catalase is also mediated by autophagy, thus suggesting a role for autophagy in caspaseindependent cell death70. So, when cancer cells are treated, the induction of autophagy, and the interactions between autophagy and apoptosis could have profound effects on the outcome for the tumour cell.

Some connections occur upstream of the apoptotic and autophagic machinery where signalling pathways regulate both processes. For example, the autophagy gene beclin1 is part of a Type III PI3 kinase complex that is required for the formation of the autophagic vesicle, and that interacts with Bcl-2. A study found that the protein level of Beclin1 is lower in cervical cancer tissues than in normal tissues, and is closely related to pelvic lymph node metastases and histologic tumor grade71. Overexpression of Beclin1 in human cervical cancer SiHa and HeLa cell lines may induce the massive cells from to autophagy and inhibit tumor cell growth72,73. Another experiment indicates that beclin1 may be the critical molecular switch that plays an important role in fine tuning the autophagy and apoptosis through caspase-9 in cervical cancer cells72. Beclin1 also interacts with the other major anti-apoptotic Bcl family protein (Bcl-xL). It has been shown that autophagy can be regulated by this interaction. In addition to inhibiting apoptosis by binding to and interfering with the action of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, Bcl-2/Bcl-xL also inhibits autophagy by binding with beclin1. This latter interaction is particularly important in the regulation of starvation-induced autophagy74. Bcl-2 can inhibit autophagy not only by interacting with beclin1, but also by blocking calcium release from the ER75. Conversely, DRAM (damage-regulated autophagy modulator), a well known component of the autophagic machinery, is essential also for p53 mediated apoptosis76. Similarly, activation of the PI3 kinase/Akt pathway, a well-known way to inhibit apoptosis, also inhibits autophagy77. Thus important signalling pathways apparently simultaneously increase and decrease both autophagy and apoptosis. In our laboratory, we achieved stable transfectants expressing Beclin1 in cervical cancer CaSki cells, and observed that Beclin1 induced cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase. We then selected several drugs that can induce apoptosis to cancer cells by various mechanisms, including a anti-microtubule agent (paclitaxel), a platinum agent (cisplatin), an anti-metabolite (5-fluorouracil), and an

chemotherapy given prior to surgery, and can reduce tumor size and lead to improvement in overall survival, cancer cells often harbor mutations that confer resistance to apoptosis, suggesting the need for other therapeutic approaches that would exploit non-apoptotic cell

The mechanism of tumour cell killing by an anti-cancer agent determines the way that the agent selects for resistance to the therapy. A drug that induces apoptosis might provide quite different selective pressures on the tumour cell compared with a drug that induces autophagic cell death. Thus, drugs with different mechanisms of action would be expected to have different levels of efficacy against a particular tumour68. On the other hand, the close connections between the apoptosis machinery and other PCD machinery under investigation would be expected to result in simultaneous activation of these PCD processes. When treating cancer, we often use drugs that cause severe damage to the cell. Regulation of PCD using caspase activators/inhibitors can constitute a treatment for cancer or for other PCD defective/excessive diseases69. Blockage of caspase activation causes degradation of catalase; the resultant increase in ROS generation leads to cell death. Degradation of catalase is also mediated by autophagy, thus suggesting a role for autophagy in caspaseindependent cell death70. So, when cancer cells are treated, the induction of autophagy, and the interactions between autophagy and apoptosis could have profound effects on the

Some connections occur upstream of the apoptotic and autophagic machinery where signalling pathways regulate both processes. For example, the autophagy gene beclin1 is part of a Type III PI3 kinase complex that is required for the formation of the autophagic vesicle, and that interacts with Bcl-2. A study found that the protein level of Beclin1 is lower in cervical cancer tissues than in normal tissues, and is closely related to pelvic lymph node metastases and histologic tumor grade71. Overexpression of Beclin1 in human cervical cancer SiHa and HeLa cell lines may induce the massive cells from to autophagy and inhibit tumor cell growth72,73. Another experiment indicates that beclin1 may be the critical molecular switch that plays an important role in fine tuning the autophagy and apoptosis through caspase-9 in cervical cancer cells72. Beclin1 also interacts with the other major anti-apoptotic Bcl family protein (Bcl-xL). It has been shown that autophagy can be regulated by this interaction. In addition to inhibiting apoptosis by binding to and interfering with the action of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, Bcl-2/Bcl-xL also inhibits autophagy by binding with beclin1. This latter interaction is particularly important in the regulation of starvation-induced autophagy74. Bcl-2 can inhibit autophagy not only by interacting with beclin1, but also by blocking calcium release from the ER75. Conversely, DRAM (damage-regulated autophagy modulator), a well known component of the autophagic machinery, is essential also for p53 mediated apoptosis76. Similarly, activation of the PI3 kinase/Akt pathway, a well-known way to inhibit apoptosis, also inhibits autophagy77. Thus important signalling pathways apparently simultaneously increase and decrease both autophagy and apoptosis. In our laboratory, we achieved stable transfectants expressing Beclin1 in cervical cancer CaSki cells, and observed that Beclin1 induced cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase. We then selected several drugs that can induce apoptosis to cancer cells by various mechanisms, including a anti-microtubule agent (paclitaxel), a platinum agent (cisplatin), an anti-metabolite (5-fluorouracil), and an

modes of death or enhance cell apoptosis for cervical cancer therapy.

**4.1 Apoptosis autophagy and cervical cancer therapy** 

outcome for the tumour cell.

anthracycline (epirubicin), to detect the role of Beclin1 in chemosensitivity. We found that Beclin1 overexpression in CaSki cells reduced cell survival following exposure to all four anticancer drugs. However, down-regulation of endogenous Beclin1 by siRNA in the CaSki cells did not lead to obvious resistance to the anti-cancer drugs. Taken together, these data provide evidence that Beclin1 is associated with chemosensitivity and the level of expression causes changes in response to chemotherapeutic drugs in cervical cancer, at least *in vitro,* despite the distinct damage mechanisms to cancer cells of these drugs78, 79.

It has been suggested the mitochondrion may be the central organelle that integrates apoptosis and autophagy80. A positive feedback mechanism can be elicited by the activation and maturation of pre-apoptotic factors from autophagic processes in mitochondria, and lead to cell destruction through apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. Autophagy can stop cells from undergoing apoptosis by sequestration of damaged mitochondria81. Moreover, some of the signals that are involved in apoptosis may also be involved in autophagy. For example, in both apoptosis and autophagy, there is the coordinated regulation of Akt and p70S6 kinase. Other proteins that may be part of the network connecting the two types of cell death include DAPK, Beclin1, BNIP3, HSpin1, or protymosin-*α*82. In our previous study73, we found that both autophagy and apoptosis were activated during carboplatin-induced death of cervical cancer cells. Beclin1 may act as an orchestrator, integrating apoptotic and autophagic activities. Another study demonstrated that autophagy and apoptosis contribute to etoposide-induced CaSki cervical cancer cell death, and autophagy may be the predominant mechanism of etoposide-induced cell death83. In addition, multiple death stimuli converge on mitochondria to provoke MOMP and release of apoptogenic factors such as cytochrome c, Smac/Diablo, Omi/HtrA2, Endonuclease G (Endo G), or AIF. Once released into the cytosol, these proteins initiate apoptosis, autophagy, or programmed necrosis30,31,84.

#### **4.2 Programmed necrosis and cervical cancer therapy**

Increasing evidence indicates that programmed necrosis can occur as a result of the activation of specific signal transduction cascades, and subsequently can be actualized only on inhibition of apoptosis and/or autophagy. Thus, it might be therapeutically desirable to trigger necrotic cell death in tumour cells that might have been selected to resist apoptotic or autophagic cell death.

Studies suggest that cell death that usually manifests with an apoptotic morphology can be shifted to a more necrotic morphology when caspase activation is prevented by pharmacological inhibitors, or by the elimination of essential caspase activators such as Apaf-185. In some situations, caspase inhibition can even sensitize cells to the induction of necrosis, thereby reducing the dose of TNFa required to kill some cell lines86. A study found that heat treatment can induce cervical cancer CaSki cell apoptosis and necrosis87. Of the thermal conditions, 45C exhibited the best induction of apoptosis, while 47C induced direct fierce necrosis. This was further demonstrated by examining the expression level of several key apoptosis-related genes: caspase-3, Smac and Survivin. During apoptosis, caspase-3 and Smac levels were up-regulated, whereas anti-apoptotic Survivin was downregulated, enhancing programmed cell death. Similarly, inhibition of autophagy by transfection with constitutively active Akt protein kinase, or knockout of one of the alleles encoding the Beclin1 protein also determines a shift from type II (autophagy) to type III (programmed necrosis) cell death56. Another study88 also suggests that necrotic cell death

Therapeutic Exploitation of Targeting Programmed Cell Death for Cervical Cancer 263

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induces an immune response against the dying cell through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which help to initiate the repair of damaged tissue. In this way, programmed necrosis differs fundamentally from apoptosis. Death by programmed necrosis is passive, causes cellular contents to be released into the extracellular space, and often causes inflammation. In addition, oxidative-stress-induced cell death is not completely blocked by inhibiting either apoptosis or autophagy. Indeed, in the hypoxic region of a tumour, where both apoptosis and autophagy are inhibited, increased necrosis with infiltration of macrophages and production of cytokines and chemokines has been observed in mouse models56. What specifically triggers necrosis is unknown, but ATP production insufficient to maintain plasma-membrane integrity results in metabolic catastrophe, making cell lysis highly probable89. Thus, it is also reasonable to assume that cells under oxidative stress could undergo cell death through multiple pathways including necrosis.

#### **5. Summary**

PCD is a genetically regulated process that allows for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and cell numbers, and provides protection against damaged or infected cells that threaten this balance. It is becoming increasingly clear that PCD is involved in cancer formation and survival; the process of PCD responds to several forms of cancer treatments. Elimination of cancer cells might occur not only via apoptosis, but could also be mediated by other forms of cell death such as autophagy and programmed necrosis. In recent years, the PCD-based pharmacological therapies were mainly focused on apoptosis and the main regulators of this PCD pathway, the caspase family of cysteine proteases. Drug resistance limits the effectiveness of existing medical treatments, and is still a major challenge in the current research on PCD. To better understand the pathology and the potential therapeutic strategies for human cancer that are characterized by enhanced cell death, it is crucial to elucidate the death mechanism(s) directly involved in each cancer. Treatment should depend on the actual mechanism of cell death that plays a role in disease onset. Modulation of the autophagic pathway may be a novel way of sensitizing cervical cancer cells to anticancer drug therapy**90**, and further studies of autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis may provide new insights into the mechanisms accommodating or contributing to PCD, thereby unveiling new strategies for cervical cancer therapy.

#### **6. Acknowledgements**

This project was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (No 2011J01132 and No 2009J01113).

#### **7. References**


induces an immune response against the dying cell through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which help to initiate the repair of damaged tissue. In this way, programmed necrosis differs fundamentally from apoptosis. Death by programmed necrosis is passive, causes cellular contents to be released into the extracellular space, and often causes inflammation. In addition, oxidative-stress-induced cell death is not completely blocked by inhibiting either apoptosis or autophagy. Indeed, in the hypoxic region of a tumour, where both apoptosis and autophagy are inhibited, increased necrosis with infiltration of macrophages and production of cytokines and chemokines has been observed in mouse models56. What specifically triggers necrosis is unknown, but ATP production insufficient to maintain plasma-membrane integrity results in metabolic catastrophe, making cell lysis highly probable89. Thus, it is also reasonable to assume that cells under oxidative stress

PCD is a genetically regulated process that allows for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and cell numbers, and provides protection against damaged or infected cells that threaten this balance. It is becoming increasingly clear that PCD is involved in cancer formation and survival; the process of PCD responds to several forms of cancer treatments. Elimination of cancer cells might occur not only via apoptosis, but could also be mediated by other forms of cell death such as autophagy and programmed necrosis. In recent years, the PCD-based pharmacological therapies were mainly focused on apoptosis and the main regulators of this PCD pathway, the caspase family of cysteine proteases. Drug resistance limits the effectiveness of existing medical treatments, and is still a major challenge in the current research on PCD. To better understand the pathology and the potential therapeutic strategies for human cancer that are characterized by enhanced cell death, it is crucial to elucidate the death mechanism(s) directly involved in each cancer. Treatment should depend on the actual mechanism of cell death that plays a role in disease onset. Modulation of the autophagic pathway may be a novel way of sensitizing cervical cancer cells to anticancer drug therapy**90**, and further studies of autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis may provide new insights into the mechanisms accommodating or contributing to PCD, thereby

This project was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China

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**16** 

**Antiproliferative Effect and Induction** 

**of Apoptosis by** *Inula viscosa* **L. and**

L. Benbacer1, N. Merghoub1,2,3, H. El Btaouri3, S. Gmouh4, M. Attaleb1, H. Morjani3, S. Amzazi2 and M. El Mzibri1,\*

Worldwide cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women with nearly a half million new cases diagnosed and 250,000 deaths each year Almost 80% of cases occur in low-income countries, where cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women (WHO, 2009). In spite of recent advances in the development of new anticancer agents, cancer continues to be one of the major causes of death worldwide. Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents remains a principal obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer. Therefore, development and search of novel and effective anticancer agents to overcome resistance

As other cancers, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the conventional cancer treatment used nowadays and remain the routine method for the treatment of cervical cancer. These approaches present sole limits related to the cost, problems of unstable efficiency and severe side effects whose reduce the quality of life and discourage patients to observe medication protocols which then lead to the progression of cancer and associated complications. In addition, many of these treatments present limited anti-cancer activities

**1. Introduction** 

 \*

Corresponding Author

have become very important issues.

*Retama monosperma* **L. Extracts in** 

**Human Cervical Cancer Cells** 

*4Unités d'Appui Technique à la Recherche Scientifique,* 

*1Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat 2Laboratoire de Biochimie-Immuniologie,* 

*UFR Sciences et UFR Pharmacie, Reims* 

*Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique, Rabat* 

*Faculté des Sciences, Rabat 3MEDyC CNRS UMR 6237,* 

> *1,2,4Morroco 3France*


### **Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by** *Inula viscosa* **L. and** *Retama monosperma* **L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells**

L. Benbacer1, N. Merghoub1,2,3, H. El Btaouri3, S. Gmouh4, M. Attaleb1, H. Morjani3, S. Amzazi2 and M. El Mzibri1,\* *1Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat 2Laboratoire de Biochimie-Immuniologie, Faculté des Sciences, Rabat 3MEDyC CNRS UMR 6237, UFR Sciences et UFR Pharmacie, Reims 4Unités d'Appui Technique à la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique, Rabat 1,2,4Morroco 3France* 

#### **1. Introduction**

266 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

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[76] Crighton D, Wilkinson S, O'Prey J, Syed N, Smith P, Harrison PR, et al. DRAM, a p53 induced modulator of autophagy, is critical for apoptosis. Cell 2006;126:121–34. [77] Mathew R, Karantza-Wadsworth V, White E. Role of autophagy in cancer. Nat Rev

[78] Sun Y, Liu JH, Jin L, Lin SM, Yang Y, Sui YX, Shi H. Over-expression of the Beclin1 gene

[81] Ravikumar B, Berger Z, Vacher C, O'Kane CJ, Rubinsztein DC. Rapamycin pretreatment protects against apoptosis. Hum Mol Genet 2006;15:1209–16. [82] Klionsky DJ, Emr SD. Autophagy as a regulated pathway of cellular degradation.

[83] Lee SB, Tong SY, Kim JJ, Um SJ, Park JS. Caspase-independent autophagic cytotoxicity in etoposide-treated CaSki cervical carcinoma cells. DNA Cell Biol 2007;26:713-20. [84] Boya P, Gonzalez-Polo RA, Casares N, Perfettini JL, Dessen P, Larochette N, et al. Inhibition of macroautophagy triggers apoptosis. Mol Cell Biol 2005;25:1025–40. [85] Golstein P, Kroemer G. Redundant cell death mechanisms as relics and backups. Cell

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> Worldwide cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women with nearly a half million new cases diagnosed and 250,000 deaths each year Almost 80% of cases occur in low-income countries, where cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women (WHO, 2009). In spite of recent advances in the development of new anticancer agents, cancer continues to be one of the major causes of death worldwide. Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents remains a principal obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer. Therefore, development and search of novel and effective anticancer agents to overcome resistance have become very important issues.

> As other cancers, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the conventional cancer treatment used nowadays and remain the routine method for the treatment of cervical cancer. These approaches present sole limits related to the cost, problems of unstable efficiency and severe side effects whose reduce the quality of life and discourage patients to observe medication protocols which then lead to the progression of cancer and associated complications. In addition, many of these treatments present limited anti-cancer activities

<sup>\*</sup> Corresponding Author

Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by

**Place of collection**

Temara Leaves

Tamahdit Bark roots

Ouarzazat Aerial part

Leaves

Bulbs

Ain atik

Sidi-Boughaba Mahdia

Sidi-Boughaba Mahdia

Sidi-Boughaba Mahdia

Sidi-Boughaba Mahdia

**Part plant** 

Leaves

**2. Materials and methods** 

parts employed in this study.

**2.1 Plant species** 

**Plants species (Family)** 

*Inula viscosa* L. Ait (Asteraceae)

*Berberis hispanica*  Bois and Reut. (Berberidaceae)

*Ormenis eriolepis* 

*Ormenis mixta*  (Asteraceae)

*Rhamnus lycioides*  ssp. *Oleoides*  (Rhamnaceae)

*Urginea maritima*  L*. Baker*  (Lemnaceae)

used in this study.

Coss. (Asteraceae)

*Retama monosperma*  L. Bois (Fabaceae)

*Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells 269

Seven plant species were collected from different regions of Morocco and were identified by Dr. M. Fennane from the Scientific Institute of Rabat. Voucher specimens are kept in the herbarium of institute. Table 1 shows the ethnobotanical data of the investigated plant species, including botanical names, local names, ethnomedical uses, as well as the plant

> Skin diseases, treats cutaneous abcesses, wound healing, Tuberculosis, bronchial infections (Bellakhdar, 1997)

> Purgative, vermifuge, antihelmintic, abortive and disinfectant (Benrahmoune,

> Blood pressure, digestive, disorders, anorexia, urinary system, nephritic, liver and astrointestinal disorders, ocular affections, febrifuge, antileishmania, antitumoral

(Bellakhdar, 1997)

Aerial part Drain the buttons, healing

Table 1. Ethnobotanical data and some reported pharmacological activities of plants species

Stomachic, anthelmintic and antidiabetic (Bellakhdar, 1997)

wounds (Haddad, 2003)

Cardiac failures, whoopingcough, pneumonia, abortive, vipers bites, aphrodisiac, cough, bronchitis and the jaundice, diuretic and internal tumours (Bellakhdar, 1997)

Laxative, diuretic and hepatic affections (Hmamouchi, 2001)

2003)

**collected Traditional use pharmacological activities** 

2007)

Anti-inflammatory effects (Hernandez, 2007; Máñez,

Antimicrobial activity

No information available

Antimicrobial activity (Ai-

Antibactrial activities (El

Antileishmania activities (El

Antifungic activity (Amani,

Antimicrobial activity (Satrani, 2007)

Hypotensive activity (Terencio, 1990)

Cytotoxic and antimalarial activities (Sathiyamoorthy,

(Maoz*.*, 1998) Antifungal activity (Cafarchia, 2002)

Rong, 2007) Antitumor activities (Fukuda, 1999; Meenakshi,

Hanbali, 2004)

Hanbali, 2005)

2007)

2008)

1999)

(Mans, 2000). Therefore, development and search of novel and effective anticancer agents to overcome resistance and without severe side effects have become very important issues.

During last decades, natural products have been an important source of chemotherapeutics, more than half of effective cancer drugs can be traced to natural origins (Ma, 2009). Approximately 60% of drugs currently used for cancer treatment have been isolated from natural products (Gordaliza, 2007; Newman, 2007). Currently, medicinal plants constitute a common alternative for cancer treatment in many countries around the world (Gerson-Cwilich, 2006; Tascilar, 2006).

Many candidate compounds that are able to arrest proliferation and induce apoptosis in neoplastic cells have been discovered. These include *Vinca* Alkaloids; *Taxus* diterpenes; *Camptotheca* Alkaloids; and *Podophyllum* lignans. Currently, there are 16 new plant-derived compounds being tested in clinical trials and of these 13 are being tested in phase I or II, and 3 are in phase III. Among these compounds, flavopiridol, isolated from the Indian tree *Dysoxylum binectariferum* and mesoindigo, isolated from the Chinese plant *Indigofera tinctoria*, have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer effects with lesser toxicity than conventional drugs (Saklani A, 2008).

In Morocco, medicinal plants have always been associated with cultural behaviour and traditional knowledge. Herbal remedies are frequently used to treat a large variety of ailments and symptoms, like a fever, inflammation, and pain (Gonzalez-Tejero, 2008). However, there is little information about their anti-cancer properties.

Drug discovery from natural sources involves a multidisciplinary approach combining ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological techniques to provide new chemical compounds for the development of new drugs against various pharmacological targets, including cancer and related complications. Cytotoxic screening models provide important preliminary data to select plant extracts with potential antineoplastic properties. The initial screenings are cell-based assays using established cell lines, in which the toxic effects of plant extracts or isolated compounds can be measured. Most of the clinically used antitumor agents possess significant cytotoxic activity in cell culture systems (Cardellina, 1999).

In the course to contribute to development of new anticancer drugs against cervical cancer, the human cervical carcinoma SiHa and HeLa cell lines, has been used as a model system in this study for screening promising plant materials from folk Moroccan medicine possessing anticancer effect. Thus, seven medicinal plants: *Inula viscosa* L. (Ait.), *Retama monosperma* L. (Boiss.), *Ormenis mixta* L. (Dumont.), *Ormenis eriolepis* Coss., *Rhamnus lycioides* L., *Berberis hispanica* Bois. and *Urginea maritima* L. (Baker.) were collected and evaluated for the *in vitro* cytotoxic effect against SiHa and HeLa cell lines. The selection was made on the basis of their reputation as folk medicines and ethnobotanic informations to treat different illnesses and diseases. The selected plants have been described to exhibit several biological activities. However*,* the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of these plants against cervical cancer cells have not yet been explored. The second part of this study, the most active plants were then selected and were evaluated for their potential antiproliferative effects against SiHa and HeLa cells. Furthers assays were used to elucidate its cytotoxic mechanism.

#### **2. Materials and methods**

#### **2.1 Plant species**

268 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

(Mans, 2000). Therefore, development and search of novel and effective anticancer agents to overcome resistance and without severe side effects have become very important

During last decades, natural products have been an important source of chemotherapeutics, more than half of effective cancer drugs can be traced to natural origins (Ma, 2009). Approximately 60% of drugs currently used for cancer treatment have been isolated from natural products (Gordaliza, 2007; Newman, 2007). Currently, medicinal plants constitute a common alternative for cancer treatment in many countries around the world (Gerson-

Many candidate compounds that are able to arrest proliferation and induce apoptosis in neoplastic cells have been discovered. These include *Vinca* Alkaloids; *Taxus* diterpenes; *Camptotheca* Alkaloids; and *Podophyllum* lignans. Currently, there are 16 new plant-derived compounds being tested in clinical trials and of these 13 are being tested in phase I or II, and 3 are in phase III. Among these compounds, flavopiridol, isolated from the Indian tree *Dysoxylum binectariferum* and mesoindigo, isolated from the Chinese plant *Indigofera tinctoria*, have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer effects with lesser toxicity than

In Morocco, medicinal plants have always been associated with cultural behaviour and traditional knowledge. Herbal remedies are frequently used to treat a large variety of ailments and symptoms, like a fever, inflammation, and pain (Gonzalez-Tejero, 2008).

Drug discovery from natural sources involves a multidisciplinary approach combining ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological techniques to provide new chemical compounds for the development of new drugs against various pharmacological targets, including cancer and related complications. Cytotoxic screening models provide important preliminary data to select plant extracts with potential antineoplastic properties. The initial screenings are cell-based assays using established cell lines, in which the toxic effects of plant extracts or isolated compounds can be measured. Most of the clinically used antitumor agents possess significant cytotoxic activity in cell culture

In the course to contribute to development of new anticancer drugs against cervical cancer, the human cervical carcinoma SiHa and HeLa cell lines, has been used as a model system in this study for screening promising plant materials from folk Moroccan medicine possessing anticancer effect. Thus, seven medicinal plants: *Inula viscosa* L. (Ait.), *Retama monosperma* L. (Boiss.), *Ormenis mixta* L. (Dumont.), *Ormenis eriolepis* Coss., *Rhamnus lycioides* L., *Berberis hispanica* Bois. and *Urginea maritima* L. (Baker.) were collected and evaluated for the *in vitro* cytotoxic effect against SiHa and HeLa cell lines. The selection was made on the basis of their reputation as folk medicines and ethnobotanic informations to treat different illnesses and diseases. The selected plants have been described to exhibit several biological activities. However*,* the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of these plants against cervical cancer cells have not yet been explored. The second part of this study, the most active plants were then selected and were evaluated for their potential antiproliferative effects against SiHa and HeLa cells. Furthers

However, there is little information about their anti-cancer properties.

assays were used to elucidate its cytotoxic mechanism.

issues.

Cwilich, 2006; Tascilar, 2006).

conventional drugs (Saklani A, 2008).

systems (Cardellina, 1999).

Seven plant species were collected from different regions of Morocco and were identified by Dr. M. Fennane from the Scientific Institute of Rabat. Voucher specimens are kept in the herbarium of institute. Table 1 shows the ethnobotanical data of the investigated plant species, including botanical names, local names, ethnomedical uses, as well as the plant parts employed in this study.


Table 1. Ethnobotanical data and some reported pharmacological activities of plants species used in this study.

Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by

**2.7 Reactive oxygene species (ROS) production** 

I590 nm/I530 nm.

nm).

**2.8 Western blot analysis** 

*Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells 271

excitation at 500 nm. Depending on the mitochondrial membrane potential, JC-1 is able to form J-aggregates respectively from green to yellow-orange fluorescence emission (590 nm) as mitochondrial membrane becomes more polarized. Therefore, the I590nm/I530nm emission ratio value allows observation of mitochondrial dysfunction. SiHa and HeLa cells were treated with the extract for 24 h or 48h. JC-1 reagent (10µM) was added for 20 min at 37 °C in the dark. Cells were then washed with PBS and centrifuged at 1500 rpm, 4°C for 5 min. The pellet was resuspended in 1 ml ice-cold PBS and the measurements were performed using the Spectrofluorometer (RF-5301PC, Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan). Residual mitochondrial potential as percentage of control was expressed as follows: (R treated/R control) x 100; R =

Production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) was monitored via oxidation of the carboxydichlorofluorescein analog probe, C2938. SiHa and HeLa cells (2 x105) were seeded into a 6-well plate and treated with the appropriate concentration of the extract for 24 h. Control and treated cells were washed and stained with 10 µM C2938 (30 min, 37C). Fluorescence emission from the oxidized probe was quantified with a Spectrofluorophotometer (RF-5301PC, Shimadzu) (excitation: 488±1 nm; emission: 518±1

Cells were treated with 20 µg/ml of extracts for (24h, 48h and 72h), scrapped, washed with PBS and lysed in ice-cold lysis buffer (10 mM Tris pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 1 mM Na3VO4, 1mM dithiothreitol, 10µg/ml Leupeptin , 10µg/ml aprotinin, 10% glycerol, 1%Brij (v/v)) , placed on ice for 20 and centrifuged at 14,000g for 15 min at 4 °C. The amount of protein was determined using the Bio-Rad protein quantification kit. Equal amounts of proteins (25-30µg/ml) was subjected to electrophorese on SDS-polyacrylamide gels and, transferred to a Nitrocellulose membrane by electroblotting. After blocking non-specific sites, the membrane was incubated overnight with appropriate primary antibodies: Monoclonal anti- pro-Caspase 3 (1/700), Monoclonal anti-β actin (dilution 1/5000), Monoclonal anti-BCl2 (1/700) and polyclonal anti- PARP (1/1000). Horseradish peroxidaseconjugated goat anti-rabbit or anti-mouse IgG were used as secondary antibodies and

The identification of the compounds from *I. viscosa* hexanic fraction (IV-HE) and *R. monosperma* dichloromethane fraction (Rm-DF) was performed by (GC/MS) analysis using a Hewlett Packard 5890 II Gaz Chromatograph, equipped with a HP 5972 Mass selective detector and a VB5 ( 5% phenyl ; 95% methylpolisyloxane) capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 µm). Injection volume was 1 µl with a splitless; the injector and detector temperatures was held constant at 250. For GC/MS detection an electron ionization system with ionization energy of 70 eV was used. Helium was used as the carrier gas with an inlet pressure of 10.48 psi, corresponding to a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The analytical conditions worked the following programme: oven temperature from 60 to 280°C at rate of 16°C min -1,

proteins were detected using an enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) kit.

**2.9 Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis** 

#### **2.2 Plant extracts preparation**

The seven Plants were dried and ground finely. 20g of each powdered plant were extracted by absolute methanol (100 ml, three times) for 72 h at room temperature. The extracts were evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 40°C. A total of 40 mg of obtained extract were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to give a solution stock to 40 mg/ml and conserved at -20°C until use.

In second part of the study, the most actives plants were submitted to extraction with solvents with different polarities. *Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. were extracted successively in a Soxhlet with *n-*hexane and methanol. The resulting extracts were then evaporated by Rotavapor to give dried extracts. The methanol concentrated extract was dissolved in distilled water and was successively extracted with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The solvent was evaporated to obtain the crudes extracts, and kept in the dark at +4 °C until tested.

#### **2.3 Cell lines**

Human cervical cancer SiHa and HeLa cell lines were used in this study. Cells were grown as monolayers in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% heatinactivated fetal calf serum and 1% Penicillin-Spreptomycin mixture. Cultures were maintained at 37°C in 5% CO2. SiHa and HeLa cell lines were kindly provided by Dr. P. Coursaget, INSERM U618, University François Rabelais, Tours, France.

#### **2.4 Cytotoxicity assay**

Cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was determined using the MTT Assay as described previously (Mosmann, 1983). Cells were seeded in 96-well microplates. After 24 h of culture, the cells were treated with different concentrations ranging from 15.6 to 500 μg/ml, in quadruplicate for 48h or 72h incubation. 10*μ*L MTT (5mg/mL) was added to each well. After 4 hours incubation, 150*μ*L DMSO were added to dissolve purple formazan crystals, and absorbance was then determined using a spectrophotometer at 590nm. Mitomycin C and vinblastin (~ 95 % HPLC, sigma-Aldrich) were used as a positive control.

#### **2.5 Detection of the morphological changes associated with apoptosis**

SiHa and HeLa cells were cultured on glass chamber slides in 2 well plates and were treated with the IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF for 24h , 48h and 72h at a concentration of 20µg/ml. After incubation, cells were washed with PBS twice and fixed with (4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% Triton X-100) for 5 min. The cells were then washed with PBS and incubated with Hoecsht 33342 (10µg/ml) (Sigma) at 37 °C for 30min. The cells were visualized through fluorescence inverted microscope (Axiovert 200M Zeiss, Germany) equipped with an LD achroplan 40X objective. The images were collected with a CCD cooled camera (Coolsnap HQ, Ropper Scientific).

#### **2.6 Mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm ) measurement**

Analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential was carried out using the lipophilic cationic probe, JC-1 (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) whose monomer emits at 530 nm (green) after excitation at 500 nm. Depending on the mitochondrial membrane potential, JC-1 is able to form J-aggregates respectively from green to yellow-orange fluorescence emission (590 nm) as mitochondrial membrane becomes more polarized. Therefore, the I590nm/I530nm emission ratio value allows observation of mitochondrial dysfunction. SiHa and HeLa cells were treated with the extract for 24 h or 48h. JC-1 reagent (10µM) was added for 20 min at 37 °C in the dark. Cells were then washed with PBS and centrifuged at 1500 rpm, 4°C for 5 min. The pellet was resuspended in 1 ml ice-cold PBS and the measurements were performed using the Spectrofluorometer (RF-5301PC, Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan). Residual mitochondrial potential as percentage of control was expressed as follows: (R treated/R control) x 100; R = I590 nm/I530 nm.

#### **2.7 Reactive oxygene species (ROS) production**

Production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) was monitored via oxidation of the carboxydichlorofluorescein analog probe, C2938. SiHa and HeLa cells (2 x105) were seeded into a 6-well plate and treated with the appropriate concentration of the extract for 24 h. Control and treated cells were washed and stained with 10 µM C2938 (30 min, 37C). Fluorescence emission from the oxidized probe was quantified with a Spectrofluorophotometer (RF-5301PC, Shimadzu) (excitation: 488±1 nm; emission: 518±1 nm).

#### **2.8 Western blot analysis**

270 Topics on Cervical Cancer with an Advocacy for Prevention

The seven Plants were dried and ground finely. 20g of each powdered plant were extracted by absolute methanol (100 ml, three times) for 72 h at room temperature. The extracts were evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 40°C. A total of 40 mg of obtained extract were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to give a solution stock to 40 mg/ml and

In second part of the study, the most actives plants were submitted to extraction with solvents with different polarities. *Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. were extracted successively in a Soxhlet with *n-*hexane and methanol. The resulting extracts were then evaporated by Rotavapor to give dried extracts. The methanol concentrated extract was dissolved in distilled water and was successively extracted with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The solvent was evaporated to obtain the crudes extracts, and kept in the dark at +4 °C

Human cervical cancer SiHa and HeLa cell lines were used in this study. Cells were grown as monolayers in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% heatinactivated fetal calf serum and 1% Penicillin-Spreptomycin mixture. Cultures were maintained at 37°C in 5% CO2. SiHa and HeLa cell lines were kindly provided by Dr. P.

Cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was determined using the MTT Assay as described previously (Mosmann, 1983). Cells were seeded in 96-well microplates. After 24 h of culture, the cells were treated with different concentrations ranging from 15.6 to 500 μg/ml, in quadruplicate for 48h or 72h incubation. 10*μ*L MTT (5mg/mL) was added to each well. After 4 hours incubation, 150*μ*L DMSO were added to dissolve purple formazan crystals, and absorbance was then determined using a spectrophotometer at 590nm. Mitomycin C

SiHa and HeLa cells were cultured on glass chamber slides in 2 well plates and were treated with the IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF for 24h , 48h and 72h at a concentration of 20µg/ml. After incubation, cells were washed with PBS twice and fixed with (4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% Triton X-100) for 5 min. The cells were then washed with PBS and incubated with Hoecsht 33342 (10µg/ml) (Sigma) at 37 °C for 30min. The cells were visualized through fluorescence inverted microscope (Axiovert 200M Zeiss, Germany) equipped with an LD achroplan 40X objective. The images were collected with a CCD cooled camera (Coolsnap

Analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential was carried out using the lipophilic cationic probe, JC-1 (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) whose monomer emits at 530 nm (green) after

Coursaget, INSERM U618, University François Rabelais, Tours, France.

and vinblastin (~ 95 % HPLC, sigma-Aldrich) were used as a positive control.

**2.5 Detection of the morphological changes associated with apoptosis** 

**2.6 Mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm ) measurement** 

**2.2 Plant extracts preparation** 

conserved at -20°C until use.

until tested.

**2.3 Cell lines** 

**2.4 Cytotoxicity assay** 

HQ, Ropper Scientific).

Cells were treated with 20 µg/ml of extracts for (24h, 48h and 72h), scrapped, washed with PBS and lysed in ice-cold lysis buffer (10 mM Tris pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 1 mM Na3VO4, 1mM dithiothreitol, 10µg/ml Leupeptin , 10µg/ml aprotinin, 10% glycerol, 1%Brij (v/v)) , placed on ice for 20 and centrifuged at 14,000g for 15 min at 4 °C. The amount of protein was determined using the Bio-Rad protein quantification kit. Equal amounts of proteins (25-30µg/ml) was subjected to electrophorese on SDS-polyacrylamide gels and, transferred to a Nitrocellulose membrane by electroblotting. After blocking non-specific sites, the membrane was incubated overnight with appropriate primary antibodies: Monoclonal anti- pro-Caspase 3 (1/700), Monoclonal anti-β actin (dilution 1/5000), Monoclonal anti-BCl2 (1/700) and polyclonal anti- PARP (1/1000). Horseradish peroxidaseconjugated goat anti-rabbit or anti-mouse IgG were used as secondary antibodies and proteins were detected using an enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) kit.

#### **2.9 Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis**

The identification of the compounds from *I. viscosa* hexanic fraction (IV-HE) and *R. monosperma* dichloromethane fraction (Rm-DF) was performed by (GC/MS) analysis using a Hewlett Packard 5890 II Gaz Chromatograph, equipped with a HP 5972 Mass selective detector and a VB5 ( 5% phenyl ; 95% methylpolisyloxane) capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 µm). Injection volume was 1 µl with a splitless; the injector and detector temperatures was held constant at 250. For GC/MS detection an electron ionization system with ionization energy of 70 eV was used. Helium was used as the carrier gas with an inlet pressure of 10.48 psi, corresponding to a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The analytical conditions worked the following programme: oven temperature from 60 to 280°C at rate of 16°C min -1,

Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by

Extracts

extracts against SiHa and HeLa cervical cancer cells.

*Retama monosperma* L. extracts

Inula viscosa L. extracts

control.

and antiviral (Edziri, 2010) and antihypertensive (Eddouks, 2007).

*Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells 273

(Bellakhdar, 1997). The aerial part of this plant is used as decoction in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and renal diseases (Eddouks, 2002). This plant has been described to exhibit several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory (Hernández, 2007), antimicrobial (Maoz, 1998) and antifungal effects (Cafarchia, 2002). *Retama monosperma* L. is used in the traditional medicine of many countries, as a purgative, vermifuge, antihelmintic and abortive (Bellakhdar, 1997). Moreover, it has been reported that R*etama Genus* for a various pharmacological effects, including an hypoglycemic and diuretic (Maghrani, 2005a; Maghrani, 2005b), cytotoxic (Conforti, 2004; Hayet, 2007; López-Lázaro, 2000), antioxidant

Cells were exposed to different concentrations of extracts for 48h. Data are expressed as IC50 values (µg/ml) and are means ± SD of three experiments. Mitomycine was used as positive

As evidenced by MTT assays, we found that hexanic (IV-HE) and dichloromethane (IV-DF) extracts from *Inula viscosa* were able to inhibit cell growth in dose-dependent manner after 72h of treatment, in both cell lines. The IC50 values for IV-HE on SiHa and HeLa were 9.56±1.68 and 13.17±0.79 μg/ml, respectively. However, for IV-DF, the IC50 values on SiHa and HeLa were respectively 6.54±1.46 and 22.04±3.31 μg/ml. *Retama monosperma* dichloromethane fraction (Rm-DF) was the most active extract, exhibiting also cytotoxic activity against both cells lines in dose-dependent manner. Values of IC50 obtained were 14± and 21±µg/ml, in SiHa and HeLa cell lines respectively (Table 3). The American National Cancer Institute assigns a significant cytotoxic effect of promising anticancer product for future bio-guided studies if it exerts an IC50 value ˂30 μg/ml (Suffnes, 1990). The obtained results indicate that IV-HE and IV-DF and Rm-DF were shown to induce significant and dose-dependent inhibitory activities against human cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa.

> IC50 (µg/ml) SiHa HeLa

**The cytotoxic effect of extracts from** *Inula viscosa* **L. and** *Retama monosperma* **L.** 

Hexane extract (Rm-HE) › 80 › 80 Methanol extract (Rm-ME) › 80 › 80 Dichloromethane fraction (Rm-DF) 14.57±4.15 21.33±7.88 Acetate ethyle fraction (Rm-AF) 27.54±5.64 77.47±2.25

Hexane extract (IV-HE) 9.56 ± 1.68 13.17±0.79 Methanol extract (IV-ME) 52.83±3.28 › 80 Dichloromethane fraction (IV-DF) 6.54±1.46 22.04±3.31 Ethyl acetate fraction (IV-AF) 63.62±10.55 › 80 Vinblastin 10.88±0.78 6.28±0,35

Table 3. Cytotoxic effect of extracts and fractions of *Retama monosperma* L*.* and *Inula viscosa* L*.* 

the final temperature of 300°C was held for 10 min. Tentative identification of the compounds was based on the comparison of their relative retention time and spectral mass with those of Nist and Wiley7 library data of the GC/MS system.

#### **2.10 Statistical analysis**

Data are presented as means ± SD of at least triplicate or quadruplicate determinations of three different assays. The statistical analysis was performed by student's-test with Microsoft excel software. Significant differences are indicated by \**p* < 0.05; \*\**p* < 0.01; \*\*\**p* < 0.001.

#### **3. Results and discussion**

#### **3.1 Cytotoxic effect of the medicinal plants extracts from Morocco**

Crude extracts of selected plants were made by exhaustive methanol extraction. These plants extracts were tested for their potential cytotoxic effects, SiHa and HeLa cells were treated with plants extracts at different concentrations ranging from 15 to 500 μg/ml for 48h. The cells viability were determined by MTT assay. Among the 7 medicinal plant extracts, methanolic extract from *Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. have been found to exhibit marked cytotoxic effect on both SiHa and HeLa cell lines. Their IC50 values were 54±12 and 99±1 µg/ml in SiHa cells and 60±8 and 112±4 µg/ml in HeLa cells, respectively. The methanolic extract of *Ormenis eriolepis* Coss., *Ormenis mixta* L. and *Berberis hispanica*  Boiss. have lower cytotoxic effect on the cancer cell lines tested (Table 2). However, *Urginea maritime* L. and *Rhamnus lycioides* L. had insignificant or no cytotoxic effects at tested concentration with IC50 ˃500µ/ml.


Table 2. Cytotoxic activity of methanolic extracts of some medicinal plants from Morocco on SiHa and HeLa cervical cancer cell lines.

*Inula viscosa* L. (Ait.) and *Retama monosperma* L. methanolic extracts showed the highest cytotoxic activity with lowest IC50 values. Previous studies have reported interesting biological activities with potential therapeutic applications of these plants. *Inula viscosa* L. is used in Moroccan folk medicine as antihelmintic, diuretic, anemia and as cataplasm for rheumatic pain (Hmamouchi, 2001), tuberculosis, expectorant and treatment of bronchitis

the final temperature of 300°C was held for 10 min. Tentative identification of the compounds was based on the comparison of their relative retention time and spectral mass

Data are presented as means ± SD of at least triplicate or quadruplicate determinations of three different assays. The statistical analysis was performed by student's-test with Microsoft excel software. Significant differences are indicated by \**p* < 0.05; \*\**p* < 0.01; \*\*\**p* <

Crude extracts of selected plants were made by exhaustive methanol extraction. These plants extracts were tested for their potential cytotoxic effects, SiHa and HeLa cells were treated with plants extracts at different concentrations ranging from 15 to 500 μg/ml for 48h. The cells viability were determined by MTT assay. Among the 7 medicinal plant extracts, methanolic extract from *Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. have been found to exhibit marked cytotoxic effect on both SiHa and HeLa cell lines. Their IC50 values were 54±12 and 99±1 µg/ml in SiHa cells and 60±8 and 112±4 µg/ml in HeLa cells, respectively. The methanolic extract of *Ormenis eriolepis* Coss., *Ormenis mixta* L. and *Berberis hispanica*  Boiss. have lower cytotoxic effect on the cancer cell lines tested (Table 2). However, *Urginea maritime* L. and *Rhamnus lycioides* L. had insignificant or no cytotoxic effects at tested

*Inula viscosa* L. 54 ± 12 60 ± 8 *Ormenis eriolepis* Coss. 94 ± 4 112 ± 4 *Ormenis mixta* L. 383 ± 26 311± 14 *Berberis hispanica* Boiss. 178 ± 5 224 ± 10 *Retama Monosperma* L. 99 ± 1 96 ± 4 *Urginea maritime* L. › 500 › 500 *Rhamnus lycioides* L. › 500 › 500 Mitomycin C 6 ± 1 1 ± 0.30

Table 2. Cytotoxic activity of methanolic extracts of some medicinal plants from Morocco on

*Inula viscosa* L. (Ait.) and *Retama monosperma* L. methanolic extracts showed the highest cytotoxic activity with lowest IC50 values. Previous studies have reported interesting biological activities with potential therapeutic applications of these plants. *Inula viscosa* L. is used in Moroccan folk medicine as antihelmintic, diuretic, anemia and as cataplasm for rheumatic pain (Hmamouchi, 2001), tuberculosis, expectorant and treatment of bronchitis

**IC50 ± SD (μg/ml)**  *SiHa HeLa*

with those of Nist and Wiley7 library data of the GC/MS system.

**3.1 Cytotoxic effect of the medicinal plants extracts from Morocco** 

**2.10 Statistical analysis**

**3. Results and discussion** 

concentration with IC50 ˃500µ/ml.

**Methanolic extracts** 

SiHa and HeLa cervical cancer cell lines.

0.001.

(Bellakhdar, 1997). The aerial part of this plant is used as decoction in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and renal diseases (Eddouks, 2002). This plant has been described to exhibit several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory (Hernández, 2007), antimicrobial (Maoz, 1998) and antifungal effects (Cafarchia, 2002). *Retama monosperma* L. is used in the traditional medicine of many countries, as a purgative, vermifuge, antihelmintic and abortive (Bellakhdar, 1997). Moreover, it has been reported that R*etama Genus* for a various pharmacological effects, including an hypoglycemic and diuretic (Maghrani, 2005a; Maghrani, 2005b), cytotoxic (Conforti, 2004; Hayet, 2007; López-Lázaro, 2000), antioxidant and antiviral (Edziri, 2010) and antihypertensive (Eddouks, 2007).

Cells were exposed to different concentrations of extracts for 48h. Data are expressed as IC50 values (µg/ml) and are means ± SD of three experiments. Mitomycine was used as positive control.

#### **The cytotoxic effect of extracts from** *Inula viscosa* **L. and** *Retama monosperma* **L.**

As evidenced by MTT assays, we found that hexanic (IV-HE) and dichloromethane (IV-DF) extracts from *Inula viscosa* were able to inhibit cell growth in dose-dependent manner after 72h of treatment, in both cell lines. The IC50 values for IV-HE on SiHa and HeLa were 9.56±1.68 and 13.17±0.79 μg/ml, respectively. However, for IV-DF, the IC50 values on SiHa and HeLa were respectively 6.54±1.46 and 22.04±3.31 μg/ml. *Retama monosperma* dichloromethane fraction (Rm-DF) was the most active extract, exhibiting also cytotoxic activity against both cells lines in dose-dependent manner. Values of IC50 obtained were 14± and 21±µg/ml, in SiHa and HeLa cell lines respectively (Table 3). The American National Cancer Institute assigns a significant cytotoxic effect of promising anticancer product for future bio-guided studies if it exerts an IC50 value ˂30 μg/ml (Suffnes, 1990). The obtained results indicate that IV-HE and IV-DF and Rm-DF were shown to induce significant and dose-dependent inhibitory activities against human cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa.


Table 3. Cytotoxic effect of extracts and fractions of *Retama monosperma* L*.* and *Inula viscosa* L*.*  extracts against SiHa and HeLa cervical cancer cells.

Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by

trimethylsilyl ester

**Rm-DF** 

RT : Retention time (min).

(Kothakota, 1997; Wang, 2005).

Rm-DF (Figure.1).

plants of *R. monosperma* collected from Morocco (Touati, 1996).

4-(N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-amino)-5,6-dimethyl-

Area (%):(%): area percentage (peak area relative to the total peak area percentage).

**3.4 IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF induced apoptosis in SiHa and HeLa cells** 

**3.3 Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis signalling pathways** 

Table 5. Compounds present within *R. monosperma* L. extracts identified by CG/MS.

Induction of apoptosis constitute an important mechanism for anticancer effects of many naturally occurring and synthetic agents. Activation of apoptotic pathways seems to be an effective strategy against tumor progression (Brown, 2005). The caspase pathway plays a pivotal role in the induction, transduction and amplification of intracellular apoptotic signals. Among the caspase family proteins, capase-3 is responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of many key proteins such as PARP, which is considered as a marker of apoptosis

In order to determine whether plant extracts induced cell death was due to apoptosis, we analyzed chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation by Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy (Kerr, 1994). SiHa and HeLa cells were treated with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF for 24h, 48h and 72h. As shown in Figure 1, the rate of apoptotic cells was increased significantly in a time-dependant manner after treatment with IV-HE, IV-DF and

*Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells 275

However, CG/MS analysis of Rm-DF (Table 5) revealed the presence of five known quinolizidine alkaloids as well as, sparteine (10.97%), L- methyl cytisine (9.11%), 17 oxosparteine (3.49%), lupanine (0.93%) and anagyrine (39.63%). The Retama species have been reported to contain alkaloids (Abdel Halim, 1997) and flavonoids (Kassem, 2000). Fifteen quinolizidine and 3 dipiperidine alkaloids were isolated from the leaves of flowering

**Extracts Compounds RT Area(%)** 

α-Pinene 9,89 2.73 1,8-Cineole 13,79 8.03 Benzeneacetic acid, α,4-bis[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-, 18.91 4.71

9H-pyrrolo[3',4':3,4]pyrrolo[2,1-a]phthalazine-9, 24.99 19.05 11(10H)-dione,10-ethyl-8-phenyl Sparteine 38,98 10.97 Hexadecanoic acid 42,71 0.86 L methyl cytisine 44,23 9.11 17- oxosparteine 46,67 3.49

7H-pyrro[2.3-d]pyrimidine 47.78 0.50 Lupanine 48,78 0.93 Anagyrine 53 ,73 39.63

Cells were exposed to different concentrations of extracts for 72h. As determined by MTT assay. Data are expressed as IC50 values (µg/ml) and are means ± SD of three experiments. Vinblastin was used as a positive control.

#### **3.2 Chemical identification of plants extracts**

Analyses of the most active extracts by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with and GCmass spectrometry (MS) revealed the presence of a sesquiterpene acid: isocostic acid (46.05%) and two sesquiterpenes lactones: tomentosin (33.27%) and inuviscolide (13.04%), as major compounds in IV-HE extract (Table 4). In the fact, *Inula viscosa* L. is source of a number of bioactives compounds as well as flavonoids (Hernandez, 2007) and sesquiterpene derivatives (Fontana, 2007).


Area (%):(%): area percentage (peak area relative to the total peak area percentage). RT : Retention time (min).

Table 4. Compounds present within *Inula viscosa* L. extracts identified by CG/MS.

Cells were exposed to different concentrations of extracts for 72h. As determined by MTT assay. Data are expressed as IC50 values (µg/ml) and are means ± SD of three experiments.

Analyses of the most active extracts by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with and GCmass spectrometry (MS) revealed the presence of a sesquiterpene acid: isocostic acid (46.05%) and two sesquiterpenes lactones: tomentosin (33.27%) and inuviscolide (13.04%), as major compounds in IV-HE extract (Table 4). In the fact, *Inula viscosa* L. is source of a number of bioactives compounds as well as flavonoids (Hernandez, 2007) and sesquiterpene

**Extracts Compounds RT Area (%)** 

Phenanthrene, 7-ethenyl-1,2,3,4,4α,4β,5,6,7,8,10,10αdodecahydro-4α,7-dimethyl-1-methylene-, [4αS-

6-Imino-8-(3',5'-dichlorolphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H, 6H-

9H-pyrrolo[3',4':3,4]pyrrolo[2,1-a]phthalazine-9,11(10H)-

Benzeneacetic acid, α',4-bis[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-, trimethylsilyl

Methyl 2,3-Dideoxy-4-O-propargyl-6-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-

Table 4. Compounds present within *Inula viscosa* L. extracts identified by CG/MS.

Area (%):(%): area percentage (peak area relative to the total peak area percentage).

1-Amino-1-ortho-chlorophenyl-2-(2-quinoxalinyl)ethene 12.79 0.21 3-(4'-Methoxyphenyl)-1-acetyl-2-phenylindolizine 24.99 1.68 Isocostic acid 40.56 46.05 Isoaromadendrene epoxide 41.38 1.44

Iso-velleral 46.26 1.87 6,9,12,15-Docosatetraenoic acid, methyl ester 46.82 0.37 Quercetin 7,3',4'-trimethoxy 46.93 0.22 Tomentosin 47.27 33.27 Inuviscolide 47.39 13.04 Tetracosane 54.32 0.77

pyrimido[2,1-β][1,3]thiazine-7-carbonitrile 57.78 0.39

ester 18 .91 10.44

dione,10-ethyl-8-phenyl 24.99 47.85 Isocostic acid 40.56 2.29 1 ,2-longidione 44.54 5.03 10 hydroxy-1 ,4,5,8-Tetramethyl anthrone 44.84 2.54 Chiapin B 46.27 1.55 2,4,7 Trimethyl-5 ,6-diphenyl-1H-isoindol-1 ,3(2H)-dione 47.01 9.12 Tomentosin 47.26 13.93

<sup>α</sup>-D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside 55.92 7.24

42.74 0.69

Vinblastin was used as a positive control.

(4αα',4βα',7α',10αα')]-

derivatives (Fontana, 2007).

**IV-HE** 

**IV-DF** 

RT : Retention time (min).

**3.2 Chemical identification of plants extracts** 

However, CG/MS analysis of Rm-DF (Table 5) revealed the presence of five known quinolizidine alkaloids as well as, sparteine (10.97%), L- methyl cytisine (9.11%), 17 oxosparteine (3.49%), lupanine (0.93%) and anagyrine (39.63%). The Retama species have been reported to contain alkaloids (Abdel Halim, 1997) and flavonoids (Kassem, 2000). Fifteen quinolizidine and 3 dipiperidine alkaloids were isolated from the leaves of flowering plants of *R. monosperma* collected from Morocco (Touati, 1996).


Area (%):(%): area percentage (peak area relative to the total peak area percentage). RT : Retention time (min).

Table 5. Compounds present within *R. monosperma* L. extracts identified by CG/MS.

#### **3.3 Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis signalling pathways**

Induction of apoptosis constitute an important mechanism for anticancer effects of many naturally occurring and synthetic agents. Activation of apoptotic pathways seems to be an effective strategy against tumor progression (Brown, 2005). The caspase pathway plays a pivotal role in the induction, transduction and amplification of intracellular apoptotic signals. Among the caspase family proteins, capase-3 is responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of many key proteins such as PARP, which is considered as a marker of apoptosis (Kothakota, 1997; Wang, 2005).

#### **3.4 IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF induced apoptosis in SiHa and HeLa cells**

In order to determine whether plant extracts induced cell death was due to apoptosis, we analyzed chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation by Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy (Kerr, 1994). SiHa and HeLa cells were treated with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF for 24h, 48h and 72h. As shown in Figure 1, the rate of apoptotic cells was increased significantly in a time-dependant manner after treatment with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF (Figure.1).

Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by

*Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells 277

Fig. 2. Expression of Pro-caspase 3 , Bcl-2 and PARP proteins in HeLa and SiHa treated-cells analysed by Western blot. After treatment with 20µg/ml of IV-HE, IV-DF (A) and Rm-DF (B) during 24h and 48 h or 72h, cell lysates were prepared and the proteins were separated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred into nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes were probed with the indicated antibodies. β-actin was used as a control for protein loading.

The results shown here were from two or three representative experiments.

Fig. 1. IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF induce apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. SiHa (A) and HeLa (B) cells were treated IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF and stained with Hoechst 33342. Condensed, fragmented nuclei and apoptotic bodies were seen in the treated cells. The stained nuclei were visualized and photographed with an inverted fluorescence microscope (Axiovert 200M Zeiss). Data represent at least two experiments (Magnification: x 400).

#### **3.5 Expression of Pro-caspase, Bcl2 and PARP cleavage**

*Inula viscosa* and *Retama monosperma* extracts were able to induce apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cells as evidenced by western blot analysis. Activation of caspase-3 causes the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), a hallmark of apoptosis, to produce an 85 kDa fragment during apoptosis (Tewari, 1995). After treatment of cells, a procaspase-3 cleavage and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were observed in time- and dose-dependent manner. IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF caused the proteolytic cleavage of PARP with accumulation of the 85 kDa fragment in SiHa and HeLa cells (Figure 2.A; 2.B). This

Fig. 1. IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF induce apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. SiHa (A) and HeLa (B) cells were treated IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF and stained with Hoechst 33342. Condensed, fragmented nuclei and apoptotic bodies were seen in the treated cells. The stained nuclei were visualized and photographed with an inverted fluorescence microscope (Axiovert 200M Zeiss). Data represent at least two experiments (Magnification: x 400).

*Inula viscosa* and *Retama monosperma* extracts were able to induce apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cells as evidenced by western blot analysis. Activation of caspase-3 causes the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), a hallmark of apoptosis, to produce an 85 kDa fragment during apoptosis (Tewari, 1995). After treatment of cells, a procaspase-3 cleavage and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were observed in time- and dose-dependent manner. IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF caused the proteolytic cleavage of PARP with accumulation of the 85 kDa fragment in SiHa and HeLa cells (Figure 2.A; 2.B). This

**3.5 Expression of Pro-caspase, Bcl2 and PARP cleavage** 

Fig. 2. Expression of Pro-caspase 3 , Bcl-2 and PARP proteins in HeLa and SiHa treated-cells analysed by Western blot. After treatment with 20µg/ml of IV-HE, IV-DF (A) and Rm-DF (B) during 24h and 48 h or 72h, cell lysates were prepared and the proteins were separated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred into nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes were probed with the indicated antibodies. β-actin was used as a control for protein loading. The results shown here were from two or three representative experiments.

Antiproliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis by

mean ± SD of three independent experiments.

stage for clinical trials (Ghantous, 2010).

(Zhang, 2010) activities.

mitochondrial pathway.

*Inula viscosa* L. and *Retama monosperma* L. Extracts in Human Cervical Cancer Cells 279

Tested extracts showed a dose-dependent increase in the intracellular ROS production when compared to the control (Figure.4). This indicate that ROS generation induced by IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF in SiHa and HeLa cells can contribute to apoptosis via the

Fig. 4. ROS production in treated cells with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF, using an oxydationsensitive fluorescent C2938 probe in SiHa (A) and HeLa (B). Cells are treated with 20µg/ml of extracts for 24h as described in Materials and Methods. The results are presented as the

Taken together, these results show clearly that the hexanic extract of *Inula viscosa* and dichloromethane fractions of both *Inula viscosa* and *Retama monosperma* have cytotoxic effects against cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and Hela by inducing apoptotic process. Previous studies have showed that some plant extracts with pronounced cytotoxic in vitro had marked effects in vivo and showed promising potential to be used as an anticancer drugs. Indeed, sesquiterpene lactones, isolated from *Carpesium rosulatum*, have recently been largely studied for their pharmacological proprieties as anti-neoplastic agents (Ma G, 2009; Moon, 2011; Robinson, 2008; Taylor, 2008). Sesquiterpenes lactones, artemisinin, thapsigargin and parthenolide and many of their synthetic derivatives, are in advanced

Phytochemicals contained in *Inula viscosa* L*.* extracts including like tomentosin and inuviscolide, as evidenced by CG/MS analysis, have been shown recently to possess an antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human melanoma cell lines (Rozenblat, 2008).

Quinolizidine alkaloids are known to present in *Retama monosperma* as main active constituents. Quinolizidine alkaloids contained in the dichloromethane fraction of *Retama monosperma* L. extract, may act as potential *in vitro* cytotoxic agents against human cervical cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. In fact, previous reports have shown that quinolizidine alkaloids have been found to elicit a range of biological activities, including antiviral (Ding, 2006), antihypoglycemic (Brukwicki, 2009) and anti-tumoral

suggests that apoptosis induced by IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF could be associated with a caspase-dependent pathway.

The activation and function of caspases are regulated by various key of molecules, such as inhibitors of apoptosis protein, Bcl-2 protein family. Increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 causes resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, while decreasing Bcl-2 expression may promote apoptotic responses to anticancer drugs (Reed J.C., 1994). Our investigations showed a significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression after 24h treatment with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF (Figure 2A, 2B).

#### **3.6 Statut of mitochondrial membrane potential**

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to participate in the induction of apoptosis. Indeed, opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore has been demonstrated to induce depolarization of the transmembrane potential (*ΔΨm*), release of apoptogenic factors and loss of oxidative phosphorylation (Zimmermann, 2001). To characterize the effect of IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF on the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, we measured the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) in SiHa and HeLa cells after treatment for 24h. As shown in (Figure.3), IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF, induced a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (*ΔΨm*), in both SiHa and HeLa cells.

Fig. 3. Mitochondrial membrane potential state in treated cells with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF, measured by spectrofluorometry and JC-1 probe in SiHa (A) and HeLa (B). Cells are treated with 20µg/ml of extracts for 24h as described in Materials and Methods. The results are presented as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments.

#### **3.7 Measurement of ROS production**

Mitochondria are a source of ROS during apoptosis and reduced mitochondria membrane potential leads to increased generation of ROS and apoptosis (Zamzami, 1995). We investigate whether the intracellular ROS are involved in the signal transduction pathways of apoptosis. ROS generation was measured after cells treatment with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF (20µg/ml) for 24h, using a ROS-sensitive fluorescent C2938 probe.

suggests that apoptosis induced by IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF could be associated with a

The activation and function of caspases are regulated by various key of molecules, such as inhibitors of apoptosis protein, Bcl-2 protein family. Increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 causes resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, while decreasing Bcl-2 expression may promote apoptotic responses to anticancer drugs (Reed J.C., 1994). Our investigations showed a significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression after 24h treatment with IV-

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to participate in the induction of apoptosis. Indeed, opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore has been demonstrated to induce depolarization of the transmembrane potential (*ΔΨm*), release of apoptogenic factors and loss of oxidative phosphorylation (Zimmermann, 2001). To characterize the effect of IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF on the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, we measured the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) in SiHa and HeLa cells after treatment for 24h. As shown in (Figure.3), IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF, induced a significant decrease in

Fig. 3. Mitochondrial membrane potential state in treated cells with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF, measured by spectrofluorometry and JC-1 probe in SiHa (A) and HeLa (B). Cells are treated with 20µg/ml of extracts for 24h as described in Materials and Methods. The results

Mitochondria are a source of ROS during apoptosis and reduced mitochondria membrane potential leads to increased generation of ROS and apoptosis (Zamzami, 1995). We investigate whether the intracellular ROS are involved in the signal transduction pathways of apoptosis. ROS generation was measured after cells treatment with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF (20µg/ml) for 24h, using a ROS-sensitive fluorescent C2938 probe.

are presented as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments.

**3.7 Measurement of ROS production** 

mitochondrial membrane potential (*ΔΨm*), in both SiHa and HeLa cells.

caspase-dependent pathway.

HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF (Figure 2A, 2B).

**3.6 Statut of mitochondrial membrane potential** 

Tested extracts showed a dose-dependent increase in the intracellular ROS production when compared to the control (Figure.4). This indicate that ROS generation induced by IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF in SiHa and HeLa cells can contribute to apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway.

Fig. 4. ROS production in treated cells with IV-HE, IV-DF and Rm-DF, using an oxydationsensitive fluorescent C2938 probe in SiHa (A) and HeLa (B). Cells are treated with 20µg/ml of extracts for 24h as described in Materials and Methods. The results are presented as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments.

Taken together, these results show clearly that the hexanic extract of *Inula viscosa* and dichloromethane fractions of both *Inula viscosa* and *Retama monosperma* have cytotoxic effects against cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and Hela by inducing apoptotic process. Previous studies have showed that some plant extracts with pronounced cytotoxic in vitro had marked effects in vivo and showed promising potential to be used as an anticancer drugs. Indeed, sesquiterpene lactones, isolated from *Carpesium rosulatum*, have recently been largely studied for their pharmacological proprieties as anti-neoplastic agents (Ma G, 2009; Moon, 2011; Robinson, 2008; Taylor, 2008). Sesquiterpenes lactones, artemisinin, thapsigargin and parthenolide and many of their synthetic derivatives, are in advanced stage for clinical trials (Ghantous, 2010).

Phytochemicals contained in *Inula viscosa* L*.* extracts including like tomentosin and inuviscolide, as evidenced by CG/MS analysis, have been shown recently to possess an antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human melanoma cell lines (Rozenblat, 2008).

Quinolizidine alkaloids are known to present in *Retama monosperma* as main active constituents. Quinolizidine alkaloids contained in the dichloromethane fraction of *Retama monosperma* L. extract, may act as potential *in vitro* cytotoxic agents against human cervical cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. In fact, previous reports have shown that quinolizidine alkaloids have been found to elicit a range of biological activities, including antiviral (Ding, 2006), antihypoglycemic (Brukwicki, 2009) and anti-tumoral (Zhang, 2010) activities.

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medicinal plants most recommended by traditional practitioners in Morocco and

#### **4. Conclusion**

The hexanic extract of *Inula viscosa* and dichloromethane fractions of both *Inula viscosa* and *Retama monosperma* showed pronounced cytotoxic effects against cervical cancer cell lines through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis caspase-dependent and involving a mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that these extracts might provide compounds which could be potential sources of anticancer drug leads. Further investigation into the isolation, characterization and mechanism of cytotoxic compounds from the selected plants extracts and in vivo are necessary. Moreover it will be interesting to use some *in vivo* models to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of these plant extracts.

#### **5. References**


The hexanic extract of *Inula viscosa* and dichloromethane fractions of both *Inula viscosa* and *Retama monosperma* showed pronounced cytotoxic effects against cervical cancer cell lines through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis caspase-dependent and involving a mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that these extracts might provide compounds which could be potential sources of anticancer drug leads. Further investigation into the isolation, characterization and mechanism of cytotoxic compounds from the selected plants extracts and in vivo are necessary. Moreover it will be interesting to use some *in vivo* models to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of these plant

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### *Edited by Rajamanickam Rajkumar*

Cervical Cancer is one of the leading cancers among women, especially in developing countries. Prevention and control are the most important public health strategies. Empowerment of women, education, "earlier" screening by affordable technologies like visual inspection, and treatment of precancers by cryotherapy/ LEEP are the most promising interventions to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.Dr Rajamanickam Rajkumar had the privilege of establishing a rural population based cancer registry in South India in 1996, as well as planning and implementing a large scale screening program for cervical cancer in 2000. The program was able to show a reduction in the incidence rate of cervical cancer by 25%, and reduction in mortality rate by 35%. This was the greatest inspiration for him to work on cerrvical cancer prevention, and he edited this book to inspire others to initiate such programs in developing countries. InTech - Open Access Publisher plays a major role in this crusade against cancer, and the authors have contributed to it very well.

Topics on Cervical Cancer With an Advocacy for Prevention

Topics on Cervical Cancer

With an Advocacy for

Prevention

*Edited by Rajamanickam Rajkumar*

Photo by weisschr / iStock