Abstract

NICOL, Alcina F et al. An evaluation of p16^INK4a expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia specimens, including women with HIV-1. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz [online]. 2012, vol.107, n.5, pp. 571-577. ISSN 0074-0276.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000500001.

Although several studies have evaluated the role of p16^INK4a as a diagnostic marker of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and its association with disease progression, studies regarding the role of p16^INK4a in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients remain scarce. The present study was designed to determine the potential utility of p16^INK4a as a diagnostic marker for CIN and invasive cervical cancer in HIV-positive and negative cervical specimens. An immunohistochemical analysis of p16^INK4a was performed in 326 cervical tissue microarray specimens. Performance indicators were calculated and compared using receiving operating characteristics curve (ROC)/area under the curve. In HIV-1-negative women, the percentage of cells that was positive for p16^INK4a expression was significantly correlated with the severity of CIN (p < 0.0001). A ROC curve with a cut-off value of 55.28% resulted in a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 81%, a positive predictive value of 91% and a negative predictive value of 78%. HIV-seropositive women exhibited decreased expression of p16^INK4a in CIN2-3 specimens compared with HIV-negative specimens (p = 0.031). The ROC data underscore the potential utility of p16^INK4a under defined conditions as a diagnostic marker for CIN 2-3 staging and invasive cervical cancer. HIV-1 infection, however, is associated with relatively reduced p16^INK4a expression in CIN 2-3.

Keywords : CIN; p16^INK4a; HPV; HIV; TMA; ROC.