Identification of differentially expressed genes in human uterine leiomyomas using differential display

In searching of differentially expressed genes in human uterine leiomyomas, differential display was used with twelve pairs of primers to compare human uterine leiomyomas with matched myometrium. False positives were eliminated by reverse Northern analysis. Positives were confirmed by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Four of 69 cDNA fragments (3 up-regulated named L1, L2 and L3 and 1 down-regulated named M1 in leiomyoma) were confirmed by Northern analysis. Sequence comparison and Northern analysis proved that L1 is exactly the human ribosomal protein S19. It was present ubiquitously in 13 tissues tested but in various levels and even in different size. L1 was highly expressed in parotidean cystadenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer examined. No mutations have been found in human uterine leiomyomas (n=6). CONCLUSIONS: hRPS19 overexpression might be a universal signal in rapid cell growth tissues.

Malignant neoplasms of the uterus following radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma: a clinical study of 47 cases

Objective： To study the characteristics and clinical features of uterine neoplasms developed after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma. Methods： Clinical data of 47 cases of uterine neoplasms occurred following radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Results： The median age at uterine neoplasms diagnosis was 62 years （range： 38-77 years）, and the median latency period from initial therapy to development of uterine neoplasms was 14 years （range： 5-35 years）. Thirty of 47 cases were endometrial carcinoma, of which 3 were uterine papillary serous carcinoma （UPSC）. Seventeen of 47 patients were uterine sarcoma, all of those were carcinosarcoma. The distribution by stage, grade, and histology of 30 cases of endometrial carcinoma was as follows： stage Ⅰb, 1 case; stage Ⅰc, 2 cases; stage Ⅱ, 6; stage Ⅲa, 4; stage Ⅲb, 2; stage Ⅲc, 11; stage Ⅳ, 4 cases; grade 1, two cases; grade 2, nine; grade 3 （include 3 UPSC patients）, seventeen; unknown grade, two; endometriod, 27; UPSC, 3 cases; 7 of 30 cases of endometrial carcinoma had recurrences （23.3%）, at median time to recurrence was 24 months, and their median survival time was 26 months. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 60% and 38%, respectively. Of the 17 cases of uterine sarcoma, the median survival was 10 months, 6 patients occurred recurrence （35.9%）, at a median time to recurrence was 9 months, and their median survival was 6 months. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 12% and 0, respectively. Conclusion： The main uterine neoplasms development after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma is endometrial carcinomas, of which there is a preponderance of high-risk histological subtypes and a poor prognosis. Most of the uterine sarcomas occurred following radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma are carcinosarcomas and the prognosis is very poor.

Knockdown of circular RNA (CircRNA)_001896 inhibits cervical cancer proliferation and stemness in vivo and in vitro

Objective:Previous studies indicated that aberrant circular RNA(circRNA)expression affects gene expression regulatory networks,leading to the aberrant activation of tumor pathways and promoting tumor cell growth.However,the expression,clinical significance,and effects on cell propagation,invasion,and dissemination of circRNA_001896 in cervical cancer(CC)tissues remain unclear.Methods:The Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)datasets(GSE113696 and GSE102686)were used to examine differential circRNA expression in CC and adjacent tissues.The expression of circRNA_001896 was detected in 72 CC patients usingfluorescence quantitative PCR.Correlation analysis with clinical pathological features was performed through COX multivariate and univariate analysis.The effect of circRNA_001896 downregulation on CC cell propagation was examined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)test,clonogenic,3D sphere formation,and in vivo tumorigenesis assays.Results:Intersection of the GSE113696 and GSE102686 datasets revealed an increased expression of four circRNAs,including circRNA_001896,in CC tissues.Fluorescence quantitative PCR confirmed circRNA_001896 as a circular RNA.High expression of circRNA_001896 was considerably associated with lymph node metastasis,International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians(FIGO)stage,tumor diameter,and survival period in CC patients.Proportional hazards model(COX)univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that circRNA_001896 expressions are a distinct risk factor affecting CC patients’prognosis.Cellular functional experiments showed that downregulating circRNA_001896 substantially suppressed CC cell growth,colony formation,and 3D sphere-forming ability.In vivo,tumorigenesis analysis in nude mice demonstrated that downregulating circRNA_001896 remarkably reduced the in vivo proliferation capacity of CC cells.Conclusion:CircRNA_001896 is highly expressed in CC tissues and is substantially related to lymph node metastasis,FIGO stage,tumor size,and survival period in patients.Moreover,downregulating circRNA_001896 significantly inhibits both in vivo and in vitro propagation of CC cells.Therefore,circRNA_001896 might be used as a biomarker for targeted therapy in cervical cancer.

Subgroups of peripheral immune effector cells in cervical cancer patients are more sensitive to radiation therapy than chemotherapy

Background:CD8 positive T lymphocytes and natural killer(NK)cells in the peripheral blood of cervical cancer patients exhibit varying sensitivities to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Methods:A total of 50 healthy peoples and 60 cervical cancer patients were recruited.The patients with cervical cancer were separated into two groups:radiation and chemotherapy,and blood sample were collected before and after treatment.Data on the proportion of CD8 positive T lymphocytes and NK cells were gathered for analytical evaluation.Results:Compared to healthy individuals,patients with cervical cancer exhibit a reduced proportion of CD8 positive T cells within their peripheral blood.And for patients with cervical cancer,radiation therapy has been found to be more effective than chemotherapy in increasing the proportion of CD8 positive T lymphocytes and NK cells.Conclusions:These results suggest that radiation therapy increases the levels of CD8 positive T lymphocytes and NK cells within the peripheral blood of patients with cervical cancer.The study hypothesis that the changes in the percentage of CD8 positive T lymphocytes may serve as a potential indicator for predicting treatment efficacy.

Relationship between Circulating Plasma Galectin-3 Levels and T-Cell Activation during Cervical Cancer Chemotherapy

Objective: Despite the existence of several therapeutic strategies, the management of cervical cancer remains challenging. Our region has very little data on the interaction between the immune system and the clinical response to chemotherapy. This work examines plasma levels of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and percentages of activated T cells in patients with cervical cancer treated with chemotherapy and investigates if there is a relationship between the rates of these two elements. Methods: We compared data from 37 patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemotherapy and 42 controls with normal cervical cytology. Plasma Gal-3 concentrations were assessed by ELISA and expression of activation markers by T cells (CD69 and HLA-DR) was assessed by flow cytometry at three different time points during chemotherapy. Results: Our results showed that patients had a significantly higher concentration of Gal-3 compared to controls (4.025 vs. 1.340, p 0.001), similarly, they had a significantly high percentage of activated lymphocytes (2.610 vs. 0.731;p 0.0001). According to the response to treatment, patients with no response to treatment had a lower concentration of circulating Gal-3 but had approximately the same percentage of activated CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes as patients with a partial or total response. In addition, we found a positive correlation between the Gal-3 level and CD4 T cells expressing the activation marker CD69 (p 0.05;rho = 0.44). Conclusion: In conclusion, our results show that there would be a relationship between circulating galectin-3 and the percentage of peripheral CD4+CD69+ cells in cervical cancer.

EXPRESSION OF c-erbB-2 AND PCNA IN CERVICAL ADENOCARCINOMA AND ITS SIGNIFICATION

Objective: To investigate the significance of cerbB2 and PCNA expression in adenocarcinoma. Methods: Expression of cerbB2 and PCNA in 74 cases of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of cerbB2 was detected in 34 cases. The positive staining of cerbB2 was associated with increased lymph node metastasis (57.1% Vs 24.0%, P=0.041) and lower 5year survival rate (32.4% Vs 58.9%, P=0.008). The average PCNA labeling index (PCNA LI) was 40.6% (0.1% 91.4%). High PCNA LI was associated with lymph node metastasis (56.4% Vs 38.5%, P=0.016) and lower 5year survival rate (28.7% Vs 64.4%, P=0.005). Positive staining of cerbB2 were associated with high PCNA LI (44.7% Vs 34.6% P=0.003). Conclusions: cerbB2 and PCNA LI were associated with malignant biological behavior and poor prognosis of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma.

Quantitative Detection of Screening for Cervical Lesions with ThinPrep Cytology Test

OBJECTIVE To investigate the available parameters in gynecological screening for cervical lesions by liquid-based cytology technology （ThinPrep Cytology Test, TCT） and The Bethesda System （TBS）, also with computer image analysis. METHODS With application of the image analysis system, all grades of cervical lesion cells were detected quantitatively and sorted in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance （ASCUS）, atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude HSIL （ASC-H）, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （LSIL）, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （HSIL） and cervical squamous cell carcinoma （SCC） with the mean optical density （MOD）, average grey （AG）, positive units （PU）, and nucleus to cytoplasmic ratio （N： C）. Differences between each group of cells were compared and analyzed statistically. RESULTS Apart from four stereologic parameters in LSIL and HSIL groups there were no differences among them, in the other groups, there was statistically significant in differences between MOD, AG and PU values. Differences between them in the ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm were highly statistically significant. CONCLUSION Stereological indexes may serve as a screening tool for cervical lesions. The image analysis system is expected to become a new means of cytological assisted diagnosis.

Dextran uterine artery embolization to treat fibroids

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the technical aspects of uterine artery embolization with dextran microspheres and to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique as the primary treatment of uterine fibroids in a series of 38 patients. METHODS: Thirty-eight volunteers (age range, 24-48 years; mean, 37.2 years) with symptoms caused by uterine fibroids (menorrhagia, mass-related symptoms, and pelvic pain) were randomly included in this study. The fibroids were single in 32 patients and multiple in 6 patients. According to the tumor location, subserous fibroids were found in 4 patients and interstitial or submucosal fibroids in 34. Tumor size was from 2 to 10.9 cm in diameter. We performed embolization with a single Headhunter catheter using the right-femoral artery approach, injection of dextran microspheres (225-450 micro m), and an absorbable gelatin sponge. Follow-up included clinical and sonographic examinations at one-month intervals for 6 months. RESULTS: Embolization was successfully performed in all patients. Post-procedural pain control was good in 35 (92%) patients. In most patients, symptoms were improved at 3 months (36/38, 95%). Clinical failure of the treatment occurred in only 2 patients (2/38, 5%). Progressive reduction in leiomyoma size was revealed during sonographic follow-up, and the reduction rate at the sixth month after embolization was 68%. The tumor had vanished in five submucosal fibroid patients. Histopathological tests showed that the tumor was degenerative as fibrosis and hyalinosis. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine artery embolization with dextran microspheres is a micro-invasive method for the treatment of uterine fibroids. It is clinically effective in most patients and induces a progressive reduction in the size of fibroids. Based on this study, we believe that this new technique is much more suitable for submucosal fibroids with massive menorrhagia.

Treatment of uterine fibroid with triptorelin before hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of pretreatment with triptorelin on uterine fibroid before abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: Fifteen premenopausal Chinese women with symptomatic uterine fibroids requiring hysterectomy were recruited in the study. All patients received monthly intramuscular injections of 3.75 mg triptorelin for three months prior to abdominal hysterectomy. RESULTS: There was significant reduction in the serum levels of oestradiol (68.6%), progesterone (95.6%) and luteinizing hormone (73.9%) and in uterine (45.0%) and fibroid (68.0%) volumes. The serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone and haemoglobin concentration were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Shrinkage of uterine fibroids can be achieved in women who are rendered hypoestrogenic with monthly injections of triptorelin for three months. This treatment modality may be of value prior to hysterectomy or myomectomy especially when the fibroid is large.

The delay, symptoms, and survival of Ivorian adolescent girls and young adults with uterine cervical cancer

Objective:To generate data on the nature and duration of cervical cancer symptoms,risk factors for delayed consultation,and diagnosis of adolescent and young adult groups in Cote d'Ivoire.Methods:This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study,conducted from July 2012 to May 2018,at the Department of Gynecology of the Yopougon teaching hospital in Cote d’Ivoire.The inclusion criteria were those who were under 40 years of age at the time of diagnosis with oral and written consent.Those whose information was more than 10%insufficient for the standards were excluded from the study.The survey files standardized anonymous pre-established data collected using medical records followed by phone calls.Results:The average age of the participants was 34±4.95 years with a minimum of 21 years.The mean parity per woman was 3.49±3.54.34.9%were HIV positive.The median patient delay was 122 days with a long delay in 84.62%of patients.The median time to total diagnosis was 209 days with a longer total delay in diagnosis of 87.18%.41%of patients honored their treatment,68.75%of which had received surgery,and 31.25%of which had received chemotherapy.The 5-year survival rate was 65%.Conclusion:The Ivorian health system must focus on primary and secondary prevention,the only guarantee to decrease the morbidity and mortality indicators linked to cervical cancer.

Evaluating the feasibility and safety of vaginal myomectomy in China

Background Classically, myomectomy has been performed via laparotomy, but laparoscopic myomectomy has now become a valuable treatment option. Vaginal myomectomy as a minimal invasive procedure has also been evaluated; however, its feasibility and safety are controversial with few clinical trials published. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of vaginal myomectomy in China and to document any associated complications. Methods From January 2005 to December 2010, 43 patients with symptomatic myomas were admitted for vaginal myomectomy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital （PUMCH）. The indications, operative performance, postoperative complications and outcome of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results Myomectomy was performed vaginally in all patients. The mean operating time was （66.4±22.6） minutes and the mean operative blood loss and hospital stay were （78.3±64.4） ml and （4.9±3.3） days, respectively. Five （12%） patients developed febrile morbidity and experienced a high postoperative temperature （mean 38.4℃）. Postoperative fever was associated with greater operative trauma, longer operative time and greater weight of the tumor （all P 〈0.01）. The cost of surgery was RMB （820.6±339.1） Yuan （（124.3±51.4） US dollars） and the total medical cost was RMB （4880.4±1088.4） Yuan （（739.5±164.9） US dollars）. Three patients later conceived spontaneously and had uneventful vaginal deliveries. Only one patient had a tumor recurrence during the following-up period. Conclusion Vaginal myomectomy is a feasible and safe surgical procedure with low recurrence and complication rates.

Feasibility and safety of vaginal myomectomy:analysis of 90 cases

Background Vaginal myomectomy was firstly reported in 1994, however, it is a relatively new technique in China. The feasibility and safety of the procedure is still controversial in this country. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of vaginal myomectomy in 90 patients and to investigate the feasibility and safety of the surgery. Methods From June 2001 to June 2004, 90 patients with uterine leiomyoma were treated with vaginal myomectomy in our hospital （vaginal group）. The indications, operative performance, postoperative complications, and recovery of the patients were analyzed and compared with those of 93 patients with uterine leiomyoma treated by laparotomic myomectomy from January 2000 to January 2001 （laparotomy group）. The Student＇s t test was used to compare the continuous variables between the two groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables. The vaginal and laparotomy groups were followed up for 10-34 months （median, 21） and 15-24 months （median, 30）, respectively. Results Vaginal myomectomy was performed successfully in 87 of the 90 patients （96.7%）. In the other 3 patients, the procedure failed and laparotomy was carded out. In both groups, the uterus was enlarged to 8-16 weeks gestational size （median, 10 gestational weeks）. The number of resected tumors was 1 - 12 （median, 2） in the vaginal group and 1-15 （median, 4） in the laparotomy group, respectively （P〉0.05）. The mean operating time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay were （52± 21） minutes, （230± 44） ml, and （7.0±1.2） days in the vaginal group, and （654±32） minutes, （200±56） ml, and （7.04±1.5） days in the laparotomy group （P〉0.05）. The mean top postoperative temperature was （38.44±1.1）℃ and （37.8±0.6）℃ in the two groups respectively （P〈0.05）. Both groups had one recurrent case during the follow-up （P〉0.05）. Condusions Vaginal myomectomy is feasible and safe in treating uterine leiomyoma. To some extent, it is superior to laparotomic myomectomy by avoiding severe trauma during the surgery.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor of the uterus:a report of three cases

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor （ETT） of the uterus is a rare tumor introduced recently, which is distinct from placental site trophoblastic tumor （PSTT） and choriocarcinoma with the histological appearance of resembling low-grade squamous cell carcinomas. Definition and treatment of this disease is still not very clear because of its very low incidence and epithelioid trophoblastic lesions. ETT generally behaves in a benign fashion with metastatic and death rates about 25% and 10%, respectively, Here we report three cases of ETT, in which one had metastasis and eventually died from the disease.

Treatment of Hysteromyoma by Acupuncture-moxibustion plus Tuina: A Report of 33 Cases

Guided by TCM treatment on the basis of syndrome differentiation, the author has treated 33 cases of hysteromyoma, which are divided into stagnation of liver-qi and blood stasis (SLQBS) type, and qi-deficiency and blood stasis (QDBS) type, by acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina. After 3 therapeutic courses, the total effective rate is 81.8%. The therapeutic effect has no close relationship with the TCM syndrome differentiation. Key Words Acupuncture-Moxibustion - Massage - Uterine Neoplasms - Tuina Author: HU Zhen-xia (1961-), female, senior consultant doctorTranslator: CUI Yi-jun

Reconsider the safety of laparoscopic surgery in endometrial cancer

General introduction The 20th century witmessed the development of laparoscopic surgical technologies and its successful applications in gynecological and general surgeries.In 1901,Russian doctor Dimitri Ott,for the first time,inspected the human a bdominal cavity with a speculum through a small incision,which marked the origin of the concept of minimally invasive techniques."During the following decades,clinical diagnosis of intra-abdominal lesions was performed by some doctors in Europe and the US.with instuments similar to modern laparoscopy.But it was until 1980s that modem sense laparoscopic surgeries,induding laparoscopic appendicectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy,were conducted.In 1989,Dr.Reich Harry performned the first laparoscopic hysterectomy,'which is regarded as a comerstone in the history of gynecologic surgery.Afterwards,laparoscopic surgery rapidly stepped into the mainstream of gynecology practice during the 1990s,delivered for both benign and malignant diseases.Starting from the 2000s,the master-slave mode ro-botic system,exemplified by the da Vinci@robot,has been accepted wordwide,and currently,robot assisted laparoscopic approaches have taken up a major proportion of general,urologic and gynecologic sur-geries,especially in developed countries.5 From a historical perspective,the broad application of laparoscopic surgeries nowadays stands on solid foundations established in decades of technical revolutions and refinements.

Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in different cervical lesion among organized health-examination women in Shanghai, China

Background Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among women worldwide. Human papillomavirus （HPV） plays a central role in the etiology of cervical cancer. It is important to describe the prevalence of HPV infection in different types of cervical lesions and to explore the relation between HPV viral load and the severity of cervical lesions. Methods To describe the HPV infection prevalence and viral load in different age groups, we retrospectively investigated 6405 cases of women who were organized by their units to take health-examination. They were given Hybrid Capture II tests between January 2005 and December 2006. The correlation between HPV viral load and pathology was assessed. Results Overall HPV infection prevalence was 29.1% （1864/6405）, while in women 18-20 years old it was 54.4% （31/57）, the highest among all age groups. After declining rapidly, HPV prevalence stabilized at about 30.0% in women aged 30 and older. Of the 6405 women, 1483 women had a colposcopic biopsy and 33.2% （492/1483） were positive for HPV DNA. Twenty-one percent of women with a normal diagnosis （238/1095） had HPV infection, a statistically significantly lower prevalence than in women with cervical lesions, including those with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia （68.8% in CIN1,66.7% in CIN2, and 76.5% in CIN3） or with cervical cancer （94.1%）. The correlation coefficient between viral load and cervical lesion severity was 0.134, which was not statistically significant （P=0.075）. Viral load values in women with CINs and cervical cancer were calculated, and no significant differences were identified. Conclusions The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection among women attending hospitals for health-examination in Shanghai is similar to the worldwide rate. HPV viral load can distinguish cervical lesions from normal individuals but cannot adequately predict the severity of cervical lesions.

Therapeutic observation of acupuncture plus navel acupuncture for urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus navel acupuncture for patients with urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Methods: A total of 64 patients with urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer was divided into a navel acupuncture group (22 cases), an acupuncture group (18 cases) and an acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group (24 cases). All three groups received bladder function training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. In addition, navel points were combined in the navel acupuncture group. Electroacupuncture was conducted to Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), Dahe (KI 12), Shuidao (ST 28), Ciliao (BL 32) and Huiyang (BL 35) in the acupuncture group. The acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group received both treatments. The catheter was removed after 3 d of treatment. Spontaneous urination, residual urine volume, urinary catheter dependence and recurrence after 3 d, 6 d and 9 d of treatment in each group were observed, respectively. Results: In the acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group, the markedly effective rates after 3 d, 6 d and 9 d of treatment were significantly higher than those in the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group;the urinary catheter dependence was lower than that of the other two groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01);the spontaneous urination time was shorter than that of the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01);the residual urine volume was significantly less than that of the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). After the catheter was removed, recurrence was observed from the next day after spontaneous urination was resumed. There were 2 cases of recurrence in the navel acupuncture group, 2 cases in the acupuncture group and 1 case in the acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group. The recurrence rate of the acupuncture plus navel acupuncture group was significantly lower than that of the navel acupuncture group and the acupuncture group (both P<0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus navel acupuncture has satisfactory efficacy for urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. It can significantly shorten the urinary retention time, reduce the patient's dependence on urinary catheter, and reduce the residual urine volume.

Efficacy observation on acupuncture-moxibustion for urinary retention after surgery for cervical cancer

Objective：To observe the efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy in treating urinary retention after surgery for cervical cancer. Methods：Fifty eligible patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by their visiting sequence, 25 in each group. The control group was intervened by indwelling urethral catheter after gynecological surgery; while the treatment group started to receive acupuncture-moxibustion and cupping treatment at the 7th day after surgery, in addition to the intervention given to the control group. The residual urine volume and total effective rate of the two groups were detected. Results：After 7-day treatments, the total effective rate was 92.0% in the treatment group versus 72.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment plus cupping based on the conventional intervention is effective for urinary retention after surgery for cervical cancer, worth promoting in clinic.

Overexpression of Bcl-2 partly inhibits apoptosis of human cervical cancer SiHa cells induced by arsenic trioxide

OBJECTIVE: To study the biological effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human cervical cancer SiHa cells and SiHa cells overexpressing bcl-2 gene. METHODS: SiHa cells with overexpression of Bcl-2 (SiHa-Bcl2 cells) were established by transfecting SiHa cells with Bcl-2 expression vector. The sensitivities of SiHa and SiHa-Bcl2 cells to As2O3 were determined using MTT (Thiazolyl blue) reduction and colony forming ability assay, morphological analysis, flow cytometric analysis, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, in situ cell death detection (TUNEL), Northern blot, RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: As2O3 inhibited the growth of SiHa cells and induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis of the cells. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that As2O3 induced SiHa cell apoptosis possibly via inhibiting the expression of HPV16 E7 and decreasing the expression of c-myc. However, we found that SiHa-Bcl2 cells partly resisted As2O3 induced apoptosis, which might be related to the prevention of the down-regulation of HPV16 E7 and c-myc gene expression. Nevertheless, As2O3 at a high concentration could still induce apoptosis of SiHa-Bcl2 cells mainly via decreasing Bcl-2 expression and slightly inhibiting viral gene expression. CONCLUSION: As2O3 is an inducer of the apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma cells and the cells overexpressing Bcl-2 can partly resist As2O3 induced apoptosis, but the exact mechanism is unclear.