Potential diagnostic value of P16 expression in premalignant and malignant cervical lesions.

Abstract

Over-expression of the p16INK4a was typical for dysplastic and neoplastic epithelia of the uterine cervix. However, p16INK4a-negative CINs and carcinomas did exist. Although negative p16INK4a expression does not definitely exclude the patient with cervical lesion from the high-risk group, immunohistochemical study for p16INK4a may be used as a supplementary test for an early diagnosis of cervical cancers.