Gains of 3q26 chromosome region, where the human telomerase RNA gene (hTERC) is located,
have been previously documented in cervical carcinomas and preneoplastic lesions.
The aim of our study was to define the value of 3q26 gains related to persistence-progression
in cervical specimens with cytologic diagnosis for low-grade squamous intraepithelial
lesions, using liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep; Hologic, Marlborough, MA) and fluorescence
in situ hybridization. For these purposes, 55 patients were included in the study:
25 cases with a negative cytologic diagnosis for squamous intraepithelial lesion or
malignancy (20 premenopausal and 5 postmenopausal women, used as control negative
cases) and 30 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases. The follow-up was performed
using cytology at 6, 12, and 24 months after the low-grade squamous intraepithelial
lesion diagnosis. When the cytology result showed a high-grade lesion, colposcopy
and biopsy were performed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization technique with a 3q26
2-color commercial probe was performed to determine the number of hTERC copies. There
were no differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal normal cases. Low-grade
squamous intraepithelial lesion cases with regression in the follow-up at 6, 12, and
24 months showed a percentage of cells with 3q26 gains similar to the control cases
and lower than low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases with persistence or
progression (P < .05). Fluorescence in situ hybridization results were similar in
preserved and frozen samples. However, in frozen samples, the number of cells suitable
to be evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization was lower than in preserved
(nonfrozen) cases. In conclusion, the determination by fluorescence in situ hybridization
of 3q26 gains in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases could be useful to
predict the persistence-progression of such cervical lesions using both preserved
and frozen cervical material.