Analysis of HPV in Cervical Lesion/Cervical Cancer Using P16 by Immunohistochemical Method

Background and Objective: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses implicated in certain cancers worldwide. It is divided into low-risk and high-risk types. The HPV transmission is majorly by sexual transmission. This study involves the use of immunological markers in identifying the various stages of cancer progression, as well as in diagnosing cancer, predicting prognosis and potentially serving as therapeutic targets for squamous cell carcinoma and cervicitis. Therefore, this study aims to analyze Human Papillomavirus (HPV) using P16 by immunohistochemical method. Materials and Methods: The study population is a 10 year retrospective cross-sectional study using Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) archival cervical tissues from the Histopathology Laboratories in Federal Capital Territory, Gwarimpa General Hospital, Wuse General Hospital, Asokoro General Hospital, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and Maitama General Hospital from 2005 to 2015. A total of 80 samples were selected and analyzed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques and avidin biotin complex (ABC) methods for histological classification and p16 immunostaining, respectively. Results: The P16 immunoreactivity revealed a statistically significant rate of positivity as was found in the p16 expression among cases studied. Cervicitis (CC) showed a positive expression of 11(55.0%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN 1) showed a higher positive expression of p16, 13(86.7%) significant at (p<0.05). The CIN 2 showed a high rate of positive expression 9(60.0%) still significant. There was a significantly higher expression of p16 pattern of 22(73.3%) among the squamous cervical cells (SCC). Conclusion: The p16 immunoreactivity predicts high-risk HPV and relates very strongly with High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (HSIL) and cervical cancer carcinogenesis including some cervicitis.