Relationships of p16 immunohistochemistry and other biomarkers with diagnoses of cervical abnormalities implications for LAST terminology

Philip E. Castle, Rachael Adcock, Jack Cuzick, Nicolas Wentzensen, Norah E. Torrez-Martinez, Salina M. Torres, Mark H. Stoler, Brigitte M. Ronnett, Nancy E. Joste, Teresa M. Darragh, Patti E. Gravitt, Mark Schiffman, William C. Hunt, Walter K. Kinney, Cosette M. Wheeler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context.-Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) standardization recommended p16INK4aimmunohistochemistry (p16 IHC) for biopsies diagnosed morphologically as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 (CIN2) to classify them as low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). Objective.-To describe the relationships of p16 IHC and other biomarkers associated with cervical cancer risk with biopsy diagnoses. Design.-A statewide, stratified sample of cervical biopsies diagnosed by community pathologists (CPs), including 1512 CIN2, underwent a consensus, expert pathologist panel (EP) review (without p16 IHC results), p16 IHC interpretation by a third pathology group, and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping, results of which were grouped hierarchically according to cancer risk. Antecedent cytologic interpretations were also available. Results.-Biopsies were more likely to test p16 IHC positive with increasing severity of CP diagnoses, overall (Ptrend ≤.001) and within each HPV risk group (Ptrend ≤.001 except for low-risk HPV [Ptrend <.010]). All abnormal grades of CP-diagnosed biopsies were more likely to test p16 IHC positive with a higher HPV risk group (Ptrend <.001), and testing p16 IHC positive was associated with higher HPV risk group than testing p16 IHC negative for each grade of CP-diagnosed biopsies (P <.001). p16 IHC-positive, CP-diagnosed CIN2 biopsies were less likely than CP-diagnosed CIN3 biopsies to test HPV16 positive, have an antecedent HSIL+cytology, or to be diagnosed as CIN3+by the EP (P,.001 for all). p16 IHC-positive, CP-diagnosed CIN1 biopsies had lower HPV risk groups than p16 IHC-negative, CP-diagnosed CIN2 biopsies (P,.001). Conclusions.-p16 IHC-positive, CP-diagnosed CIN2 appears to be lower cancer risk than CP-diagnosed CIN3. LAST classification of "HSIL" diagnosis, which includes p16 IHC-positive CIN2, should annotate the morphologic diagnosis (CIN2 or CIN3) to inform all management decisions, which is especially important for young (<30 years) women diagnosed with CIN2 for whom surveillance rather than treatment is recommended.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)725-734
Number of pages10
JournalArchives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Volume144
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Medical Laboratory Technology

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