title: P16INK4a immunocytochemistry/immunohistochemistry: need for scoring uniformization to be clinically useful in gynecological pathology.
abstract: High-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the main agents involved in the pathogenesis of cervical preinvasive and invasive lesions. Their regression or persistence is paramount in the progression or regression of preinvasive lesions. Therefore, the diagnosis of the presence or absence of HR-HPV is essential in the prognosis and follow-up of low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Human papillomavirus DNA and messenger RNA can be identified by a variety of molecular methods; however, their clinical use has limitations. The fact that p16(INK4a) is a surrogate marker for the presence of HR-HPV is well established. However, the clinical usefulness of p16(INK4a) is currently limited by the lack of immunohistologic and cytologic standardization of a scoring system. This article presents an overview illustrating this shortcoming based on relevant literature data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Polokwane/Mankweng Hospital Complex, Groblersdal, South Africa. louis.vanbogaert@nhls.ac.za
authors.forename: Louis-Jacques
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: van Bogaert
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D012367:RNA, Viral