p16 antibody: p16 INK4a is a tumor suppressor protein involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies. It is a specific inhibitor of cdk4/cdk6. Recent analyses of the p16INK4a gene revealed homozygous deletions, nonsense, missense, or frameshift mutations in several human cancers (1). Although the frequency of p16 INK4a abnormalities is higher in tumor-derived cell lines than in unselected primary tumors, significant subsets of clinical cases with aberrant p16 INK4a gene have been reported among melanomas, gliomas, esophageal, pancreatic, lung, and urinary bladder carcinomas (2). p16 immunoreactivity in paraffinembedded tissues has also been shown to be an independent predictor in minimally invasive urothelial bladder cancer; a prognostic factor in non-small cell lung carcinoma; and has been shown to predict a positive response to chemoradiotherapy in Stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (3-6).
p16 INK4a [BC42] is a mouse monoclonal antibody that is intended for laboratory use in the qualitative identification of p16 INK4a protein by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissues. The clinical interpretation of any staining or its absence should be complemented by morphological studies using proper controls and should be evaluated within the context of the patient’s clinical history and other diagnostic tests by a qualified pathologist.