La surexpression de p16 est un marqueur utile des lésions du col utérin p16 overexpression is a useful marker for uterine cervix lesions

The histological criteria of uterine cervix lesions are well known. However, there is a poor diagnostic reproducibility especially concerning lowgrade precancerous lesions. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the utility of p16 overexpression as a surrogate biomarker of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. A retrospective study was carried out by the International Center for Research on Cancer, Lyon, on 79 uterine cervix lesions. Specimens included 4 normal tissue samples, 24 benign lesions, 9 low-grade precancerous lesions (CIN1), 40 high-grade precancerous lesions (CIN2-3) and 2 squamous cell carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry was used to find p16 expression. HPV infection was detected by HPV testing. No p16 expression was detected in normal tissues and benign lesions of the uterine cervix. p16 immunolabeling was weak in CIN1 cases (77.8%). Strong and diffuse p16 expression was detected among all precancerous lesions (CIN2-3) and squamous cell carcinomas. p16 overexpression was associated to the CIN grade (p < 0.0001) and high-risk HPV infection (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, article original Ann Biol Clin 2010 ; 68 (4) : 409-14 do i: 10 .1 68 4/ ab c. 20 10 .0 45 8 Tirés à part : N. Missaoui Ann Biol Clin, vol. 68, n 4, juillet-août 2010 409 C op yr ig ht © 2 01 7 Jo hn L ib be y E ur ot ex t. D ow nl oa de d by a r ob ot c om in g fr om 5 4. 19 1. 40 .8 0 on 1 6/ 06 /2 01 7. p16 overexpression should be regarded as a surrogate biomarker of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. p16 overexpression is useful in reducing the variability during evaluation of suspicious biopsies of the uterine cervix.