p16INK4a as an adjunct test in cervical cytology

Background: This study investigated the correlation between cervical cytology, the expression of P16INK4a, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 subjects with suspected pathological cervical lesions. Cervical smears were analyzed for malignancy and p16INK4a. Histological finding represented "the golden standard". Results: Immunocytochemical analysis of protein p16INK4a expression on epithelial cells of cervical smear demonstrated increased p16INK4a expression in 36.0% of subjects. There was statistically significant positive correlation (Spearman r = 0.70; p < 0.001) between the pathological findings and the intensity of p16INK4a protein expression inside the epithelial cells, as well as with the histological finding (Spearman r = 0.71; p < 0.001). The intensity of p16INK4a protein expression in cytology finding was significantly higher in HPV16 positive patients (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.0065). Conclusion: Good correlation between the expression rate and the severity of lesions indicates that this test might improve the results of cytology and HPV screening, as well as the results of predicting the prognosis of the disorder of the cervix.