Objective:To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of human papillomavirus L1 capsid protein(HPV L1 capsid protein) in cytologic specimens of the cervix. Methods:HPV L1 capsid protein in cytologic specimens of the cervix and cervical biopsy were performed on 248 women with abnormal results of TCT and/or HPV-HC2 and colposcopy

which were treated in the department of cervical diseases in the Maternal and Child Health Center of Chongqing from July 2013 to March 2015. The result of histopathologic test was recognized as gold standard

and a follow-up study was done. Results:The positive expression rate of HPV L1 capsid protein was 13.04%

28.36%

11.92% and 0% in the normal cervix

CINⅠ

CINⅡ/Ⅲ and SCC respectively. The positive expression of HPV L1 capsid protein in group CINⅠwas much higher than that in group CINⅡ/Ⅲ(χ~2=8.898

P=0.003). All cases were divided into two groups by taking 30-year-old as the cutting point

and there was no significant difference in the HPV L1 positive staining between subgroups in those under the age of 30. However

in the group aged more than 30

the positive expression of HPV L1 capsid protein was much higher in group CINⅠ than in group CINⅡ/Ⅲ(28.89% vs. 11.54%

χ~2=6.772

P=0.009). The positive expression of HPV L1 capsid protein was significantly higher in the over-100 RLU/CO viral load group than in the under-100 RLU/CO viral load group(32.93% vs. 7.83%

χ~2=25.553

P =0.000). HPV L1-positive patients showed progression in 9.52% cases

whereas HPV L1-negetive patients had progression in 37.10% cases(χ~2=4.432

P =0.035). Conclusion:The positive expression of HPV L1 capsid protein is significantly decreased in CINⅡ/Ⅲ than in CINⅠ.HPV L1-positive patients show significantly reduced progression than HPV L1-negetive patients. HPV L1 capsid protein can be a useful marker in the assessment and prediction for cervical disease progression.