Is human papilloma virus DNA and cytokeratin 19 useful as micrometastatic markers in cervical cancer patients only with intermediate risk factors?

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate high risk human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA and cytokeratin 19 (CK19) as micrometastatic markers in cervical cancer patients only with intermediate risk factors. Materials and Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for high-risk HPV DNA and immunohistochemistry for CK19 were performed in 335 lymph nodes from 67 patients. Results: HPV DNA and CK19 were detected in 23.5% and 2.7% of lymph nodes, respectively. HPV DNA was detected in 31 patients (46.3%), while CK19 was expressed in five patients (7.4%). The five-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 90.5% in the CK19- or HPV DNA-positive group and 76.8% in the negative group. There was no correlation between disease-free survival and CK19 or HPV DNA positivity. Conclusion: For the cervical cancer with intermediate risk factors, the presence of high-risk HPV DNA in lymph nodes is not useful as a micrometastatic marker, while CK19 expression requires further study.

Cervical cancer; Intermediate risk factor; Cytokeratin 19; Human papilloma virus.

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