Comparative analysis of P16 and P53 expression in uterine malignant mixed mullerian tumors

Recent studies have shown that, in addition to cervical carcinomas, a substantial proportion of endometrial adenocarcinomas are also immunoreactive with p16. The expression of p16 in uterine malignant mixed mullerian tumors (MMMTs), in contrast, has not yet been analyzed in a large series. To our knowledge, we present the first study assessing p16 expression in both components of MMMTs. We performed p16 and p53 immunostains on 30 cases of uterine MMMTs. Both the epithelial and mesenchymal components were subclassified; p16 and p53 immunoreactions were assessed using a semiquantitative scoring system. p16 overexpression was noted in the carcinomatous component in 96.7% (29/30), and in the sarcomatous component in 86.7% (26/30) of cases. In comparison, p53 immunoreactivity was present in the carcinomatous component in 76.7% (23/30), and in the sarcomatous component in 83.3% (25/30) of cases. p16 immunoreactivity was more intense and diffuse than p53 in 40% of type I, 30% of type II carcinomas, and 27% of sarcomatous components. There was no significant difference in p16 or p53 immunoreactivity between the homologous and heterologous sarcomas. The concordance rates for p16 and p53 immunoreactivity between the 2 components were 83% and 90%, respectively. We conclude that p16 immunostain is positive in the vast majority of uterine MMMTs with no significant difference in staining between the 2 components. Compared with p53, p16 immunoreactivity is significantly more intense and diffuse in both components. Our findings indicate that alterations in the p16-Rb pathway play an important role in the pathogenesis of uterine MMMTs.