Factors, associated with elevated concentration of soluble carbonic anhydrase IX in plasma of women with cervical dysplasia

Precancerous lesions of human cervix uteri have a tendency for regression or progression. In cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CINII) case there is an uncertainty if a lesion will progress or regress. The carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) enzyme is overexpressed in cervical cancer which is more sensitive to radiotherapy. CAIX is associated with poor prognosis in solid hypoxic tumors. The aim of this study was to determine factors related to elevated soluble CAIX (s-CAIX) in high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cases. Methods. Patients diagnosed with HSIL (N = 77) were included into the research group whereas without HSIL (N = 72)—the control group. Concentration of the soluble CAIX (s-CAIX) in plasma was determined by the DIANA ligand-antibody-based method. C. trachomatis was detected from cervical samples by PCR. Primary outcomes were risk factors elevating s-CAIX level in HSIL group. Non-parametric statistical analysis methods were used to calculate correlations. Results. The s-CAIX level in patients with HSIL was elevated among older participants (r(s) = 0.27, p = 0.04) and with C. trachomatis infection (p = 0.028). Among heavy smokers with HSIL, the concentration of s-CAIX was higher in older women (r(s) = 0.52, p = 0.005), but was not related to the age of heavy smokers’ controls (τ = 0.18 p = 0.40). Conclusion. The concentration of s-CAIX was higher among older, heavy smoking and diagnosed with C. trachomatis patients. All these factors increased the risk for HSIL progression.