DNA content measurement and in situ hybridization in condylomatous cervical lesions

The present study reports results obtained with DNA ploidy measurement by Feulgen cytophotometry and in situ hybridization (ISH) on the same sections of 36 cervical lesions containing human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. Fifteen of 16 low grade lesions [11 flat condylomas and five condylomatous with intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN)-1, 1 with condylomatous features] were diploid. "Oncogenic" HPV (types 16 and 33) were detected in three of these cases, while the aneuploid case expressed HPV type 11. By contrast, in the 12 CIN-2 and eight CIN-3 with condylomas, there was a good correlation between presence of an aneuploid DNA pattern and detection of "oncogenic" HPVs. Demonstration of an aneuploid profile and "oncogenic" HPV as found in all our CIN-3, may indicative of a poor prognosis in low grade lesions. Hence, the combination of the two techniques (ISH and Feulgen cytophotometry) may provide significant prognostic information for condylomas and CINs.