Expression of p16 Tumor Suppressor Protein in Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors; Immunohistochemical Study

Background Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors represent small percentage of malignant ovarian neoplasms but they affect significantly young age group. Aim of the study To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of p16 tumor suppressor protein in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. Materials and Methods Twenty-two malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (five dysgerminoma, eight immature teratoma, and nine yolk sac tumors), twenty mature cystic teratoma tumors and twenty normal ovarian tissue were immunohistochemically stained with p16 monoclonal antibody. Ki67 immunohistochemical staining was done for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors to assess proliferation. Results We found that p16 tumor suppressor protein is overexpressed in all malignant ovarian germ cell tumors in both nuclear and cytoplasmic locations compared to control and to mature cystic teratoma (p-value <0.001). Cytoplasmic p16 expression was significantly correlated to Ki67 proliferation index in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (p-value = 0.033, r = 0.445). Conclusion Overexpression of p16 in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors denotes that dysfunction of the cyclin dependent kinase pathway is involved in tumorigenesis of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.