The expression of p16, epidermal growth factor receptor and CD44 in squamous cell carcinoma uterine cervix

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in females in the world, mainly caused by persistent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Early diagnosis is important to reduce mortality. This study aims to observe the expression of p16, epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ), cluster differentiation 44 ( CD44 ), compare with histological grade, and clinical stage in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cervix. Sixty-two cases of untreated SCC cervix were included and immunohistochemistry for p16, EGFR , and CD44 was performed. CD44 expression increased with increasing clinical stage ( P = 0.007). A positive correlation between EGFR and CD44 expression ( P = 0.001); and p16 and EGFR expression ( P = 0.015) was observed. No significant association of p16 and EGFR with clinical stage and of p16, EGFR , and CD44 with histological types was observed. CD44 expression can aid in staging carcinoma. These results add to growing literature suggesting that HPV interaction changes biology of EGFR by preventing degradation.