Expression of p16 and Rb proteins in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma

AIM To study the expression of p16 and Rb in cervical carcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathologic features. METHODS Using SP immunohistochemical technique, we examined the expression of p16 and Rb in 10 normal cervical tissues, 10 cervical intraepithelial neoplasias and59 invasive squamous cell carcinomas. RESULTS 20% CIN (2/10) and 29% cervical carcinomas (17/59) showed negative p16 staining. Abnormal p16 expression was related to age of patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the p16 status with respect to gross type, histologic differentiation and stage of the disease. Rb was expressed in 52 of 59 (88%) cases of cervical carcinomas. Rb expression was significantly correlated with histologic differentiation ( P 0.005). 66% of specimens was immunoreactive for both Rb and p16. CONCLUSION Inactivation of p16 may play an important role in the genesis of human cervical carcinoma. Rb may be functionally inactivated in cervical cancer.