ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to compare the local and systemic expression of the factors linked to the interferon alpha (IFN-α) activation pathway in different degrees of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer.MethodsA total of 128 patients with CIN I, CIN II, CIN III and cervical cancer was evaluated. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to evaluate the gene expression ofIFNR1,IFNR2, IFN-α, oligoadenylate synthase (2'5′OAS), cytokine signal suppressor 1 (SOCS) 1,SOCS3, signal transducer and transcription activator 1 (STAT1), andIRF9from 128 biopsies. A total of 46 out of 128 samples were evaluated by flow cytometry forIFNAR1,IFNAR2,STAT1,IRF7and IFN-α in peripheral blood cells.ResultsPatients with CIN II and III (63 samples) had a low local expression ofIFNR1, but notIFNR2. Patients with some degree of injury showed high expression ofSOCS1andSOCS3. Systemically, patients with CIN II and III (20 samples) had a significant increase inIFNR1,IFNR2,STAT1,IRF7, and IFN-α in helper, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and in monocytes.ConclusionPatients with high-grade lesions have increased systemic expression of IFN-α and its activation pathways in helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, as well as in monocytes due to an exacerbation of the immune response in these patients. This phenomenon is not accompanied by resolution of the lesion due to a defect in the IFN-α activation pathway that revealed by low local IFNAR1 expression and high local expression ofSOCS1andSOCS3.