Expression and clinical significance of B-myb gene in exfoliated cervical epithelial cells

Objective To analyze the difference of B-myb gene expression in exfoliated cervical epithelial cells with different detection results by cervical liquid-based cytology (TCT) and HPV assays, and to explore the role of B-myb gene in cervical cancer screening. Methods The exfoliated cervical epithelial cells from 315 patients with cervical lesions were collected. According to TCT results, they were divided into normal cell group (NC group, 118 cases), atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS) group (61 cases), suspected atypical squamous cell (ASCH) group (46 cases), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) group (43 cases), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) group (30 cases), cervical cancer group (SCC group, 17 cases); according to the results of HPV detection, they were divided into HPV16+ and/or HPV18+ group (group A, including 83 cases of multiple infection with HPV16+ and/or HPV18+ and other genotypes of HPV+), other genotypes of HPV+ group (group B, 78 cases), HPV- group (group C, 154 cases). The differences of B-myb gene expression among different TCT results groups and HPV test results groups were analyzed. Results The expression of B-myb gene in exfoliated cervical epithelial cells was significantly higher in ASCUS group, ASCH group, LSIL group, HSIL group, and SCC group than that in NC group (P<0.05); the expression of B-myb gene in LSIL group, HSIL group, and SCC group was significantly higher than that in ASCUS group and ASCH group (P<0.05); the expression of B-myb gene in HSIL group and SCC group was significantly higher than that in LSIL group (P<0.05); the expression of B-myb gene in SCC group was significantly higher than that in HSIL group (P<0.05). The expression level of B-myb gene in exfoliated cervical epithelial cells was significantly higher in group A and group B than that in group C (P<0.05), and the expression level of B-myb gene was significantly higher in group A than that in group B (P<0.05). Conclusion HPV16/18 infection can cause abnormal B-myb gene expression, abnormal cell cycle regulation and abnormal cell proliferation, and ultimately leads to cervical cancer. Therefore, detection of B-myb gene expression in exfoliated cervical epithelial cells may be a more effective screening index for cervical cancer. Key words: Exfoliated cervical epithelial cells; B-myb gene; Cervical cancer