p16(INK4) expression is not associated with human papillomavirus in oral lichen planus

Frequencies as high as 60% of overexpressed p16INK4 were recently reported in lichen planus (LP). Because p16INK4 overexpression may be a feature of human papilloma virus (HPV)–induced cancer, it has been postulated that LP may be somehow related to HPV. The present study is the first to evaluate both high p16INK4 expression and HPV in patients with LP. Study Design Thirty-five consecutive biopsy specimens from patients with LP constituted the basis of the present study. Level of p16INK4A expression was evaluated in each sample by immunohistochemical analysis, and the presence of HPV DNA was tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results p16INK4 expression was detected in 26 specimens, whereas HPV was found in 4 lesions: 3 low-risk HPV and 1 high-risk HPV. All HPV-positive lesions also indicated p16INK4A overexpression, whereas 22 cases of overexpressed p16INK4A were HPV negative (Chi square 2.6; ns). Conclusions p16INK4 overexpression is not correlated with HPV in patients with LP. Objective Frequencies as high as 60% of overexpressed p16INK4 were recently reported in lichen planus (LP). Because p16INK4 overexpression may be a feature of human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced cancer, it has been postulated that LP may be somehow related to HPV. The present study is the first to evaluate both high p16INK4 expression and HPV in patients with LP. Study Design Thirty-five consecutive biopsy specimens from patients with LP constituted the basis of the present study. Level of p16INK4A expression was evaluated in each sample by immunohistochemical analysis, and the presence of HPV DNA was tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results p16INK4 expression was detected in 26 specimens, whereas HPV was found in 4 lesions: 3 low-risk HPV and 1 high-risk HPV. All HPV-positive lesions also indicated p16INK4A overexpression, whereas 22 cases of overexpressed p16INK4A were HPV negative (Chi square 2.6; ns). Conclusions p16INK4 overexpression is not correlated with HPV in patients with LP.