1. A method for discrimination of p16 INK4a overexpressing metaplasias from p16 INK4a overexpressing neoplastic or preneoplastic lesions in biological samples in the course of cytological testing procedures comprising: (a) determining the presence or absence of cell overexpression of p16 INK4a in said biological sample (b) determining the presence or absence of cells expressing at least one high risk HPV geneproduct in said biological sample; (c) assessing simultaneous presence of cell expressing high risk HPV gene-products with cells overexpressing p16 INK4a or in presence of cells overexpressing p16 INK4a alone; (d) wherein the simultaneous presence of cells expressing high risk HPV gene-products with cells overexpressing p16 INK4a is indicative for neoplastic or preneoplastic lesion.