Expression of p16INK4a in relation to histopathology and viral load of 'high-risk' HPV types in cervical neoplastic lesions

A total of 91 cervical archival biopsy series were analysed for the presence and viral load of 'high-risk' types of human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), and p16INK4a expression. The women had various degrees of CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). HPV 16 was the most prevalent type found, at 47% frequency. The frequency of HPV 16 increased with increasing immunoreactivity to p16INK4a, from 39% to 44% at cases scored low to medium, to 65% at high reactivity. Thirty (33%) of the samples had negative p16INK4a analysis results, but were positive for HR-HPV. There was no significant correlation between viral load and the level of p16INK4a expression, while the grade of CIN correlated to such expressions. Thus, p16INK4a expression analysis yielded information which is consistent with results from the histopathology and might complement the HPV analysis in a clinical prognostic procedure in order to find women at risk for cervical cancer.