A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TLR7 EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENT HISTOLOGICAL GRADES OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (An Immunohistochemical Study)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for the sixth most prevalent malignant neoplasm worldwide, representing 90% of all oral cancers. Despite advances in the detection and treatment, the unsatisfactory prognosis for OSCC has remained stable for decades. To date, cancer research is focused on improving cancer treatment methods using immunotherapy. The Toll-like receptors family (TLR) has served that purpose. These are a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that represent essential components of the host’s immune responses. The expression of some TLRs, including TLR7, in different tumors has been confirmed in various studies. The clarification of the TLR7 expression and role in OSCC may thus provide new strategies and prospects for more effective cancer diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of TLR7 in human OSCC and correlate it with the different histopathological grades of the tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The TLR7 expression was examined in 10 normal mucosal and 30 OSCC tissue samples. The immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with the anti-TLR7 antibody was performed using the Labeled Strept-Avidin Biotin complex method (LSAB). RESULTS: TLR7 was expressed in all OSCC cases and showed significant difference in its expression among the different grades of the tumor, with a higher expression noted in the more differentiated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of TLR7 in OSCC may be used as a prognostic marker.