Objective: To evaluate the use of a new immunocytochemical dual-staining protocol, which allows for the detection of coexpression of the p16(INK4a) (p16) and Ki-67 biomarkers in prenatal care. It was hypothesized that dual-staining cytology may predict postpartum outcome in patients with abnormal cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smears during pregnancy.
Study design: In this retrospective pilot study, 27 abnormal Pap smears collected from women during early pregnancy were destained and subsequently stained for p16/Ki-67. RESULTS were correlated with histologic outcome collected during postpartum follow-up.
Results: Fourteen of 20 abnormal Pap smears during pregnancy showed a positive p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology result, whereas 6 specimens tested negative. Seven cases were excluded due to technical reasons. All 14 patients who were positive for p16/Ki-67 dual stain had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) on postpartum histology. In contrast, 5 out of 6 patients negative for p16/Ki-67 dual-staining had a negative histology postpartum and during follow-up, and the remaining patient showed a CIN1 (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology may provide a valuable novel approach to identify pregnant women with persistent or progressing CIN disease and may help improve the management of abnormal Pap cytology results during pregnancy.
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.