EVALUATION OF HE4 AND SLPI EXPRESSION IN INTRAORAL MUCOEPIDERMOID CARCINOMAS

Abstract

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and secretory keukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) are members of the WFDC family of proteins and have recently been shown to be expressed in normal salivary glands; however, differential expression in mucoepidermoid carcinoma suggests a potential role in tumorigenesis. Objective: To evaluate the immunoexpression of HE4 and SLPI in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and to correlate expression with tumor grade. Study Design: Forty diagnosed mucoepidermoid carcinoma cases were selected and clinical data collected. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections were reviewed and immunoexpression of HE4 and SLPI was assessed. Results: The sample was composed mostly of female patients (70%), and the mean age was 42.3 years. Histologic analysis showed that 72.5% of cases were low-grade tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated 7.6% and 22.9% positivity for HE4 and SLPI, respectively. Most of the stained cells were mucous type, even though SLPI has also shown positivity in some intermediate and epidermoid cells. A significant correlation was found between SLPI expression and tumor grade, with lower expression in intermediate grades. The correlation between SLPI and HE4 was positive and significant. Conclusions: Although HE4 staining was not prominent, SLPI showed consistent staining in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and should be further investigated to elucidate its role in tumorigenesis. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and secretory keukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) are members of the WFDC family of proteins and have recently been shown to be expressed in normal salivary glands; however, differential expression in mucoepidermoid carcinoma suggests a potential role in tumorigenesis. Objective: To evaluate the immunoexpression of HE4 and SLPI in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and to correlate expression with tumor grade. Study Design: Forty diagnosed mucoepidermoid carcinoma cases were selected and clinical data collected. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections were reviewed and immunoexpression of HE4 and SLPI was assessed. Results: The sample was composed mostly of female patients (70%), and the mean age was 42.3 years. Histologic analysis showed that 72.5% of cases were low-grade tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated 7.6% and 22.9% positivity for HE4 and SLPI, respectively. Most of the stained cells were mucous type, even though SLPI has also shown positivity in some intermediate and epidermoid cells. A significant correlation was found between SLPI expression and tumor grade, with lower expression in intermediate grades. The correlation between SLPI and HE4 was positive and significant. Conclusions: Although HE4 staining was not prominent, SLPI showed consistent staining in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and should be further investigated to elucidate its role in tumorigenesis.