p16 expression as a surrogate marker for HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma: a guide for interpretative relevance and consistency

Head Neck. 2012 Apr;34(4):459-61. doi: 10.1002/hed.21974. Epub 2011 Dec 16.

Abstract

Recent studies of oropharyngeal carcinoma have reported remarkable correlation between integrated human papillomavirus (HPV) viral detection and p16 protein overexpression in tumor cells. These findings led to calls for the substitution of p16 expression for the more demanding HPV testing in clinical practice. The rationale for such practice is largely driven by the simplicity, low cost, and the feasibility of the immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. There are, however, several caveats that need to be fully considered. These include the subjective nature of IHC evaluation, the variable mechanisms of p16 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and the lack of scoring and interpretive criteria. This perspective addresses the conceptual and practical issues associated with the p16 expression analysis and provides a broad outline for its application and evaluation in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics*
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / virology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Prognosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CDKN2A protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Neoplasm Proteins