Expression and clinical significance of CD44v6 and p63 protein in buccal squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Objective To study biological significance of CD44v6 and p63 protein expression in buccal squamous cell carcinomas (BSCC). Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the expression of CD44v6 and p63 protein in 52 cases of BSCC,10 cases of atypical hyperplasia and 10 cases of normal buccal mucosa,which were analyzed based on clinic and pathology characteristics.Results In normal tissue,atypical hyperplastic tissue of buccal mucosa and BSCC tissue,the expression of CD44v6 decreased gradually 90.0 ％ (9/10),80.0 ％ (8/10) and 55.8 ％ (29/52),respectively,and the layers of positive expression was decreased,and the expression of p63 increased gradually,30.0 ％ (3/10),40.0 ％ (4/10) and 90.4 ％(47/52),respectively.The differences of their expression rates were significant (P ＜0.05).The expression of CD44v6 and p63 had no relationship with gender,age,tumor classification,pathological differentiation (P ＞0.05).CD44v6 was relevant with invasion style and lymphatic node metastasis of BSCC (P ＜ 0.05),while p63 has no relevance with lymphatic node metastasis of BSCC (P ＞0.05).Conclusion CD44v6 and p63 participate in the regulation of generation and deve-lopment process of BSCC.CD44v6 can be utilized as a useful marker of BSCC for detection and prediction of prognosis.p63 play a role as oncogene,which can be a useful marker for BSCC detection.CD44v6 and p63 have independent function in generation,development,metastasis and aversion of BSCC. Key words: CD44v6; p63; Cheek; Neoplasms, squamous cell; Gene expression regulation; Immunohistochemistry