[Expression of RUNX3 in cervical carcinoma and its clinical significance]

OBJECTIVE To explore the role of runt-related transcription factor 3(RUNX3) in the tumorgenesis and progression of cervical carcinoma. METHODS The immunohistochemical staining technique was used to detect the expression of RUNX3 protein in 25 cases of normal cervix, 34 intraepithelia neoplasia (CIN), and 48 cervical carcinomas. SYBR Green I chimeric fluorescence Real-time PCR was applied to detect the expression of RUNX3 mRNA in 10 cases of normal cervix, 24 CIN, and 30 cervical carcinomas. RESULTS The expressions of RUNX3 protein and mRNA in normal cervix, CINI,CINII-III, and cervical carcinoma tissues tended to be down-regulated. There was significant difference among these groups (P<0.05). The expressions of RUNX3 protein and mRNA in the cervical carcinoma tissues were correlated with the histological differentiation, clinical stage, and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05), but had no relationship with the age, high-risk human papillomavirus infection, and histological classification (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION RUNX3 may function as a tumor suppressor gene in the occurrence and progression of cervical carcinoma.