The purpose of this study was to find out the activity and molecular mechanism of NF-kB subunits in cervical cancer which in turn were used as a molecular marker in diagnosing cancer progression.

Different cervical cancer biopsies were obtained from patients after obtaining proper written consent and approval, which were subjected to immunohistochemistry. Performed were Western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays.

Immunohistochemical analysis of low-grade, high-grade and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (stage IIIA, IIIB and IV) showed low to high nuclear expression of p52/RelB compared with p50/RelA, whereas in normal cells, c-Rel was expressed in the cytosol. p52/RelB expression was further validated by Western blot analysis. The binding ability of NF-κB to p52/RelB was increased during the progression of cervical cancer. All cervical carcinoma biopsies showed increased expression of p50/RelA and p52/RelB, but the p52/RelB NF-κB protein complex showed elevated nuclear expression and binding ability, indicating a pathway other than the classical pathway. The non-canonical NF-κB pathway also played an important role in cervical cancer progression by activating the p52/RelB NF-κB complex.

This study provides a new approach for diagnosing, and establishing an appropriate treatment against cervical cancer progression.