The present invention relates to a method for discrimination of p16.sup.INK4a overexpressing metaplasias from neoplastic or preneoplastic p16.sup.INK4a overexpressing lesions by determination of the level of high risk HPV encoded gene-products such as e.g. HPV E2 and/or HPV E7 molecules in biological samples in the course of cytological testing procedures. The method thus enables for reduction of false positive results in the p16.sup.INK4a based detection of anogenital lesions in cytological testing procedures.