p16INK4a: A surrogate marker of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule

Background The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of p16INK4a and the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal vestibule. Methods Patients diagnosed from 1995 to 2014 were included in this study. Assessment of p16INK4a and HPV-DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and analyzed with respect to baseline, clinicopathological, and outcome parameters. The p16INK4a positivity was defined as unequivocal nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of ≥70% of the cells, whereas 50%-69% was considered to be a “borderline” result. Results There were 46 patients with SCCs of the nasal vestibule, of whom 31 (67.4%) were available for p16INK4a and 30 (65.2%) for analysis of HPV. Expression of p16INK4a was present in 19.4% and showed coincidence with high-risk HPV (P < .001). Neither p16INK4a nor HPV-DNA had significant impact on outcome. Conclusion Significant immunoreactivity for p16INK4a was present in about one-fifth of the samples and figured as a surrogate marker of high-risk HPV infection. There was no influence on outcome.