Significance of p16 protein expression and HPV detection in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Objective To explore the value of p16and HPV in evaluating the low-grade and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.Methods The high-risk HPV infection and p16protein expression were tested in the patients with low-grade and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia by the second generation of hybrid capture(HC2)test system.The HPV DNA load and p16expression of the low-grade and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia were analyzed and compared.Results The p16protein expression rate of the lowgrade cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia was 36.67%(11/30),while that of the high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia was 100%(40/40).So the comparative difference was statistically significant(P 0.01).Besides,the positive rate of HC2of the cases with low-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia(30cases)was 63.33%(19/30),and that of the high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia was 97.5%(39/40).So the difference had statistical significance(P 0.01).p16expression was positively related to HPV infection.Conclusion The strong positive p16staining and the full thickness staining of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia support the diagnosis of high grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.High-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia is associated with high risk HPV infection.It is better to combine the application of p16and HPV so as to improve the accuracy of the pathological diagnosis of high-grade cervical lesions.