The relationship of Nanog, SOX2 and keratin 17 expressions with diagnostic and prognostic data in precancerous and cancerous lesions of cervix uteri

Objective: In our study, we aimed to investigate the hypothesis that Nanog, SOX2 and keratin17 immunohistochemistry stains can be used as diagnostic markers in grading precancerous lesions and in SCC in cervical biopsies. Methods: We examined the immunohistochemical staining of Nanog, SOX2, and keratin17 in 210 cervical biopsies obtained by archives of Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pathology between January 2017-June 2022 (Squamous metaplasia n:28, CIN1 n:50, CIN2 n:50, CIN3 n:50, SCC n:32). We compared the relationship between the presence of expression and prognostic entities among the groups. Results: While no expression was observed with Nanog in the control group and precancerous lesions, it was detected positive in 12 (37.5%) of the SCC. Significant expression difference was observed with Nanog, with invasive tumor and whole precancerous lesions. SOX2 expression was high in 62.5% of SCC, 70% of CIN3, and 26% of CIN2. Keratin17 expression was observed in 81.2% of SCC. No significant relationship was detected between the expressions of existing markers and prognostic parameters. Conclusion: Increased expression of SOX2 from normal squamous epithelium to CIN1, CIN2, CIN3 and SCC was observed. In our study, it was shown that SOX2 can be used to differentiate CIN2 and CIN3, especially in the transition from CIN2 to CIN3 and SCC, and in undecidable cases. Nanog and keratin17 showed significant differences in the transition from precancerous lesions to invasive tumor. It was concluded that these two markers may be helpful in diagnosis in cases of suspected invasion.