Evaluation of Ki67, p16 and CK17 Markers in Differentiating Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Benign Lesions

Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a premalignant lesion capable of progressing to cervical cancer. Despite the existing well-defined criteria, the histomorphologic diagnosis is subject to high rates of discordance among pathologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate Ki-67 (MIB-1), CK17 and p16 INK4a (p16) markers by immunohistochemical methods in differentiating CIN from benign cervical lesions. Methods: The present study reviewed and re-classified 77 cervical biopsies, originally diagnosed as 31 non-CIN, and 46 CIN, as 54 non-CIN, and 23 CIN based on at least two similar diagnoses. Immunostaining by Ki67, p16 and CK17 markers was performed on all cases and the results were compared with pervious and consensus diagnosis. Results: The overall agreement between pervious and consensus diagnosis was 67.5% (Kappa=0.39, P