Objective: To evaluate the use of a new immunocytochemical dual-staining protocol, which allows for the detection of coexpression of the p16INK4a (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.

Keywords:
p16/Ki-67 dual staining, Papanicolaou smear, Pregnancy, Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
2014
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