P16(INK4a) expression as a potential prognostic marker in cervical pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions.
An immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibody p16(INK4a) was performed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of 60 cases. The aim was to investigate in biopsies the expression of p16(INK4a) of normal uterine cervical tissue, pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions, and their relation with human papilloma virus (HPV) and HIV status. Three parameters were evaluated: percentage of p16(INK4a) positive cells, reaction intensity, and cell staining pattern. All of these parameters were statistically different when compared among different histological groups. However, logistic regression model showed that the reaction intensity was the best indicator of the expression of p16(INK4a). This expression increases from normal to invasive squamous carcinoma. Sixty-six percent of the patients with CIN grade 1 (CIN1) expressed p16(INK4a) (all these cases were infected with high risk HPV). Our study supports the hypothesis that p16(INK4a) expression in pre-cancerous lesions and cancers can be used to identify HPV-transformed cells. Of great interest for routine diagnostic use is the fact that immunohistochemical testing for p16(INK4a) seems to be capable of identifying HPV-positive cells and potentially recognizing those lesions with an increased risk of progression to high-grade lesions.
Queiroz
Conceição
C
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical School, and Mathematics and Statistic School, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. cmpq@globo.com
Silva
Tânia Correia
TC
Alves
Venâncio A F
VA
Villa
Luisa L
LL
Costa
Maria Cecília
MC
Travassos
Ana Gabriela
AG
Filho
José Bouzas Araújo
JB
Studart
Eduardo
E
Cheto
Tatiana
T
de Freitas
Luiz Antonio R
LA
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16