Detection of STAT2 in early stage of cervical premalignancy and in cervical cancer

ObjectiveTo measure the expression pattern of STAT2 in cervical cancer initiation and progression in tissue sections from patients with cervicitis, dysplasia, and cervical cancer.MethodsAntibody against human STAT2 was confirmed by plasmids transient transfection and Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect STAT2 expression in the cervical biopsies by using the confirmed antibody against STAT2 as the primary antibody.ResultsIt was found that the overall rate of positive STAT2 expression in the cervicitis, dysplasia and cervical cancer groups were 38.5%, 69.4% and 76.9%, respectively. The STAT2 levels are significantly increased in premalignant dysplasia and cervical cancer, as compared to cervicitis (P< 0.05). Noticeably, STAT2 signals were mainly found in the cytoplasm, implying that STAT2 was not biologically active.ConclusionsThese findings reveal an association between cervical cancer progression and augmented STAT2 expression. In conclusion, STAT2 increase appears to be an early detectable cellular event in cervical cancer development.