Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most common malignancies in the head and neck region, is graded based on Broder’s classification into well-differentiated, moderately, and poorly differentiated. Cytokeratin 17 (K17, CK17) is an acid-type I cytokeratin with a low-molecular weight of 48.1 kDa. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a hemophilic Ca2+ independent adhesion molecule. This study used an immunohistochemical technique (IHC) to examine the expression of CK17 and EpCAM in thirty-two specimens of OSCC (comprising 13 well-, 9 moderately, and 10 poorly differentiated cases), and 2 specimens of normal oral mucosa, used as control. It was found that the mean area fraction of CK17 and EpCAM immuno-positivity became lower as the grade increased. A highly statistically significant difference between groups (P-value = 0.001). A significant correlation existed between the level of CK17 and EpCAM in OSCC (P-value = 0.0000). We concluded that CK17 and EpCAM are associated with malignancy and differentiation of OSCC. CK17 could have potential as a diagnostic marker of OSCC. In addition, EpCAM could be a biomarker for prediction of the progression and the prognosis of OSCC patients. This study used an immunohistochemical technique (IHC) to examine the expression of EpCAM in thirty-two specimens of OSCC (comprising 13 well-, 9 moderately, and 10 poorly differentiated cases), and 2 specimens of normal oral mucosa, used as control. It was found that the mean area fraction of EpCAM immuno-positivity became lower as the grade worsened. A highly statistically significant difference existed between groups (P-value = 0.001). We concluded that EpCAM could help to stratify the different grades of OSCC. In addition, EpCAM could be a biomarker for prediction of prognosis.

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