Interpretation of P16 expression as a marker of HPV in colorectal cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of tumors worldwide. P16ᴵᴺᴷ⁴ᵃ is a widely used immunohistochemical marker for high-risk HPV infection. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between P16 expression as an indicator of HPV infection and colorectal cancer in Egyptian patients, as well as its association with histopathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 59 cases of colorectal carcinoma cases and 30 specimens of normal colonic mucosa. RESULTS: p16 protein was detected in 22% (13 of 59) of patients with colorectal carcinoma. No evidence of P16 expression in all 30 cases of non-neoplastic colonic mucosa was found. More frequent expression of P16 was seen in distal carcinomas. CONCLUSION: our study demonstrated that P16 protein is expressed in a reasonable percent of colorectal carcinoma cases, suggesting a role of HPV in colorectal carcinogenesis. The present study highlights the role of p16 protein expression which is important in the pathogenesis in colorectal carcinoma, especially regarding distal tumors.