HPV and Cervical Cancer Screening - Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for P16

Immunohistochemical assay for p16 (CDKN2A) aims to detect overexpression of this cell cycle inhibitor. This overexpression is an indirect marker of disruption of the pRb pathway by the E7 protein of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). P16 is primarily used as a surrogate marker for HPV infection in cervical cancers and oropharyngeal head and neck cancers, and to assess the severity of changes in cervical biopsies.