Background: The negative consequences of the cytoplasmic localization of p16 in patients with high-grade astrocytomas, on their prognosis, was investigated.
Methods: p16 Expression was examined in 20 anaplastic astrocytoma and 42 glioblastoma patients by immunohistochemical analysis, and the relationship between both cytoplasmic and nuclear p16 expression and prognosis analyzed.
Results: The cytoplasmic expression of p16 statistically correlated with poor prognosis. On the other hand, no correlation was observed between p16 nuclear expression and patient survival.
Conclusion: The cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of p16 appears to be an unfavorable prognostic indicator in high-grade astrocytoma patients. The localization of p16 expression should be determined when evaluating the prognosis of these patients.