Evaluation of p16INK4a as a diagnostic tool in the triage of Pap smears demonstrating atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance

Abstract

Statistical significance was not demonstrated in any of the data subsets, indicating that the p16 score alone cannot be used to recategorize Pap smears from ASCUS to NILM as a means to prevent unnecessary and expensive follow-up. Although not meeting criteria for statistical significance, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of p16 scores versus tissue follow-up only were more statistically favorable, suggesting that p16 has better correlation with tissue follow-up than results of hc(2). In addition, p16 staining was identified consistently in atrophic Pap smears, including 23 of 25 additional NILM atrophic smears stained, indicating that p16 cannot be used as a marker to triage atypical atrophic smears.