The Relationship between HPV16/18 Infection and the Expression of P16~(INK4A) Protein in Cervical Cancers and Precursors

Objective To examine the infection with human papillomavirus 16/18 and the expression of P16INK4A in cervical cancers and their precursors, explore the relationship between HPV infection and P16INK4A protein expression and their significance in pathological diagnosis. Methods All specimens were detected for HPV DNA using techniques of fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression of P16INK4A protein were studied by Envision immunohistochemistry. Results The positive rates of HPV16/18 in 268 cases of cervical tissues were calculated to be 53.73%(144/268).The more serious the cervical lesions with CINⅠ,CINⅡ～Ⅲ and cervical squamous cell carcinoma were, the more higher the positive rate of HPV16/18 was(P0.05). The positive rate of P16INK4A protein expression was significant in cervical tissues with different degree of cervical lesions(P0.05). Significant relationship was observed bwteen HPV16/18 infection and P16INK4A protein expression(rs=0.689,P0.01). Conclusion The development of cervical carcinoma and early cervical dysplasia may be associated with an increased risk of HPV16/18 infection and the overexpression of P16INK4A protein. It is very significant for screening and prevention of cervical cancers to examine HPV infection and the expression of P16INK4A protein .