p16INK4a/CDKN2 expression and its relationship with oral squamous cell carcinoma is our current knowledge enough?

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are the most common malignancy of the oral cavity and their multistep development requires the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations. Inactivation of p16INK4a, encoded by the CDKN2 gene has been widely associated with this type of tumors. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the relationship between p16INK4a expression and the different clinical and pathological aspects of OSCC, analyze the variation in results between studies, detailing the described genetic/epigenetic alterations that result in gene silencing and the relationship between p16INK4a and HPV infection.