Abstract
<h3>Objectives</h3> Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common potentially malignant lesion of the oral mucosa. Several factors are associated with increased risk of malignant transformation. The aim was to evaluate the expression of Foxp3+ cells in OL samples and their relationship with clinical and pathologic factors associated with the malignant transformation of OL. <h3>Study Design</h3> Twenty-five samples from patients diagnosed with OL were selected. Clinical data such as age, sex, and location were obtained from archives. The histopathologic degree was obtained, and immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-Foxp3. Ten fields from each slide were obtained and Foxp3+ cells were counted. The mean density was compared between groups and statistical analysis was applied. Normal oral mucosa (NOM) samples were used as control. <h3>Results</h3> Foxp3+ cells were increased in samples of smokers when compared to NOM samples (<i>P</i> < .05). Foxp3+ cells were increased in females (<i>P</i> < .05) and in OL samples with severe epithelial dysplasia when compared with samples of moderate epithelial dysplasia (<i>P</i> < .05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The study suggests that the number of cells associated with modulation of immune response may be affected by clinical and histopathologic characteristics associated with malignant transformation of OL.
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