Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of cervical smears. A pilot study of 20 cases

The Papanicolaou smear has been established as a useful cytological screening tool that has greatly contributed to the reduction of cervical cancer related mortalities. This test, however, cannot reveal underlying genetic damage, i.e., numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities that may predispose an individual to a future potentially life-threatening cervical neoplasm. An assay that has the ability to detect genetic abnormalities in interphase cervical mucosal cells will be a useful complement to the Papanicolaou smear on cytological preparations. The present project explores such a possibility using the technique of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The chromosome 8 specific alpha-satellite probe is initially used because of our past experience in the validation of this probe in various cancers. The applicability of this assay, however, is not restricted to the use of this particular probe. Data on our initial pilot study of 20 cases revealed that such an interphase FISH assay is indeed feasible as a potential future screening tool for cervical cancer.