p16 and Ki-67 immunostaining in atypical immature squamous metaplasia of the uterine cervix: correlation with human papillomavirus detection.

CONTEXT

Atypical immature squamous metaplasia (AIM) of the cervix is a loosely defined entity characterized by immature metaplastic cells with mild cytologic atypia.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether a combination of immunostaining for p16 and Ki-67 could be used to stratify AIM cases into 3 categories: benign, cases with nondiagnostic atypia, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL).

DESIGN

The study consisted of 37 cases of AIM, 23 cases of benign cervical mucosa (NEG), and 36 cases of HSIL. All cases were tested for high-risk human papillomaviruses using SPF 10 polymerase chain reaction and immunostained for p16 and Ki-67.

RESULTS

All cases of HSIL were positive for both p16 and Ki-67. All but 2 benign control cases were negative for both p16 and Ki-67. Seven cases of AIM (19%) displayed a pattern of immunostaining identical to HSIL, and these most likely represent a spectrum of HSIL. A total of 54% of cases of AIM were negative for both p16 and Ki-67, consistent with benign reactive atypia. Two AIM cases (5%) were negative for p16 and positive for Ki-67 in the area adjacent to an ulcer, representing regeneration. Finally, 22% of AIM cases were positive for p16 and negative for Ki-67; such cases may represent a precursor of HSIL or, alternatively, a regressing HSIL.

CONCLUSION

The combination of immunostaining for p16 and Ki-67 is helpful in limiting of the number of cases with nondiagnostic atypia of the cervix.