title: Assessment and clinicopathological correlation of p16 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a major cause of death throughout the developed world. It is associated with smoking and alcohol consumption. Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 has also been suggested to play a role in etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). p16 expression is now being used as a surrogate marker of HPV infection in squamous cell carcinoma and provides important prognostic information and future therapy planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, total of 75 cases of HNSCC were taken. Tumor grade was determined according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. p16 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The obtained results were analyzed and evaluated using Chi-square test (Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20), value of P <0.05 was taken significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 75 cases, 78.7% cases were positive for p16 (inclusive of all grades), while 21.3% cases were negative. Expression of p16 was higher in nonsmokers and nonalcohol consumers and significantly associated with paan chewing habit. No significant correlation was seen with history of abnormal sexual habits, but p16 expression was significantly correlated in cases with multiple sexual partners (P = 0.003), with increasing histological grade (P = 0.045) and in cases with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As HPV integration with transcription of viral oncoprotein induces overexpression of p16, immunohistochemical expression of p16 can be used as a surrogate marker of HPV. This approach can be implemented in diagnostic laboratories and can provide support for vaccination program in high risk group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Megha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ralli
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S P S
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Renuka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: C000614131:CDKN2A protein, human; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins