Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) as a New Marker in Cervical Preinvasive Lesions

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between cervical dysplasia and tissue levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT).Materials and MethodsPatients who underwent colposcopic biopsy due to human papilloma virus positivity were classified as normal tissue and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, CIN 2-3. These were stained with NAMPT antibodies using streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method (Invitrogen, 85-9043, CA, USA). The staining intensity was scored as: 0, 1, 2, and 3 for no, mild, moderate, and intense staining, respectively. The percentage score was classified as: 1, 2, and 3 for 1% to 33%, 34% to 66%, and 67% to 100% positivity, respectively. The product score was calculated. Totally, 86 patients were included in the study.ResultsThe NAMPT staining scores were significantly higher in the CIN 2-3 group compared to the group with CIN 1/normal (90% vs 9%; respectively, <i>P</i> < .000). No intense NAMPT staining was observed in any of the specimens with CIN 1 or normal results. The percentage score of 2 to 3 was seen in 83% and 12% for patients with and without CIN 2-3, respectively (<i>P</i> < .000). Using a cutoff value for product score of 2, the test demonstrated a sensitivity, a negative-predictive value, a specificity, and a positive-predictive value of 96%, 98%, 80%, and 71%, respectively. Although the product score was 2 and higher for 96% of CIN 2-3 specimens, 78% of those with CIN 1 or normal results had that below 2.ConclusionThe NAMPT staining differs significantly among groups and may be a useful marker for distinguishing CIN 2-3 from normal tissue and CIN 1. That has potential to improve the sensitivity-specificity of diagnosing and treating cervical premalignant lesions.