The expression of p53, p16 and Ki-67 in penile cancer and their significances

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the expression of immunohistochemistry markers p53, p16 and Ki-67 in penile cancer and penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Methods 33 patients who suffered penile cancer and received organ-sparing surgery from Jan 2004 to Dec 2013 were retrospectively analysed. The expression of p53, p16 and Ki-67 were detected by EnVision/HRP two steps immunohistochemistry. Results The positive expression rates of p53 in normal penile epithelium, low-grate penile intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grate penile intraepithelial neoplasia, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and poor-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma were 0, 16.7 %, 38.5 %, 30.0 % and 66.7 % respectively. The expression rates of p16 were 20.0 %, 50.0 %, 53.8 %, 70.0 % and 33.3 % respectively. The expression rates of Ki-67 were 0, 16.7 %, 61.5 %, 65.0 % and 75.0 % respectively. Conclusions The combined detection of p16 and Ki-67 can contribute to discover PIN and penile carcinoma much more earlier. p53 may be related to the occurrence and development of low differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and p16 may be related to the occurrence and development of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Key words: Penile neoplasms; Penile intraepithelial neoplasia; p53; p16; Ki-67