Objectives: Histones are involved in process of proliferation and differentiation of the cells. In many lesions the expression of mRNA of histones is a marker of proliferation. The expression of kinin receptors B1 and B2 coexist with inflammatory processes, but in some studies the expression of these receptors was found to influence the growth and differentiation of different cells.
Design: In search of proliferation markers in squamous cell vulvar cancer we have analysed the correlation between the expression of the mRNA of histone H2B and H4 and mRNA of kinin receptors B1 and B2.
Materials and methods: The specimen obtained from 46 women operated for squamous cell vulvar cancer stages I to IV according to FIGO were analysed. RNA was extracted and the number of mRNA copies were assessed by QRT-PCR using ABI PRISM 7700 (TaqMan).
Results: The results obtained in this study indicate a statistically significant correlation between mRNA B1 and mRNA H4 (p < 0.01), B2 and histone H4 (p < 0.01) B1 and histone H2B (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: The expression of mRNA of histones and kinins receptors may reflects the dynamics of neoplastic growth in vulvar cancer.