[Loss of beta 2 microglobulin from the surface of "dysplastic" and malignant epithelial cells of the uterine cervix].

We studied 75 cervical biopsies (39 cases with CIN I-III and 36 with invasive squamous carcinoma differentiated to various degrees) immunohistochemically to determine the beta 2-m content of the epithelial cells. In cells having CIN we found a clear decrease in beta 2-m with a statistically significant correlation to the degrees of severity of the lesion. All of the invasive carcinomas showed a complete absence of beta 2-m. This finding should be evaluated within the framework of an immunological dedifferentiation, and it supports the views regarding the neoplastic nature of cervical dysplasia. The demonstration of beta 2-m in atypical epithelial cells of the cervix is a possible indication for the intraepithelial localisation of the lesion.