Expression of Autophagy Markers Beclin-1 and LC3 in Cervical Cancer Doharey Namita1, Chaubey Lavina1,*, Narayan Gopeshwar2, Singh T.B.3, Kaithwas Kirti1, Modi Arusha2, Peddappolla Shilpa Chowdary1 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.), India 2Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.), India 3Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.), India *Corresponding author Lavina Chaubey Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.), India Email: lavinachaubey@gmail.com
Online published on 2 March, 2019. Abstract Background The accuracy of current prognostic factors in cervical cancer progression remains controversial. This progression may be understood through molecular markers of autophagy, BECLIN 1 and LC3. Objectives Assessment of expression of Beclin-1 & LC3 in cervical cancer to find an accurate prognostic marker of cancer progression. Methodology In this case control study, 43 cervical tissue biopsy samples were analysed for Beclin-1 and LC3 gene expression. A gene was considered down regulated when band intensity was lower than 2 SD of that for normal cervical tissue. The expression from normal cervix, precancerous and cancer cervix tissue sample was compared by unpaired t-test using SPSS software. Results Among 43 subjects of cervical pre-malignancy and malignancy, 60.5% were ≥ 55years, 65.1% had ≥ 3 live issues, 79.1% belonged to low SE status and 90.7% were post-menopausal, of which 41.7% were 6–10 years post-menopausal. All tissue samples were analysed against nine controls for Beclin-1 and LC3 expression which was up-regulated in 30.2% samples for Beclin-1& LC3 each and down-regulated in 32.5% Beclin-1 & 20.9% LC3, which was not statistically significantly. In 37.2% samples for Beclin-1 & 48.9% for LC3 the expression remained unchanged. However combined expression of Beclin-1 & LC3 in samples of pre-malignant lesions (ten) was up-regulated (70%, P=0.003). Beclin-1 & LC3 expression was also significantly up-regulated in patients less than 55 years of age (P=0.001) as against those in age group ≥ 55 years where up and down regulation was almost equal. Conclusion Beclin-1 & LC3 gene expression was significantly up regulated in patients < 55 years of age, and in pre-malignant tissue samples, pointing towards an operating autophagy mechanism within the cervical cells that probably protects cells from progressing to overt cervical cancer. However, this was not so in the cancer samples. Top Keywords Autophagy markers, Cancer progression, Genetics. Top |