Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate immunohistochemically the expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), which has been identified as a signaling receptor with frequent reactivity in ameloblastomas (AB), in a series of keratin-producing odontogenic cysts (KPOCs).Material and methodsImmunohistochemical expression of NCAM, using a monoclonal antibody, was determined in a series of 58 KPOCs comprising 12 orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts (OOCs) and 46 keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs), corresponding to 40 non-syndromic KCOT (NS-KCOTs) and 6 syndromic KCOT (S-KCOTs), associated with nevic basocellular syndrome (NBCS).ResultsNCAM expression was negative in all OOCs, but 36.45% of KCOTs exhibited focal and heterogeneous expression at the basal cell level, as well as in basal budding areas and the basal cells of daughter cysts. The latter two locations were especially applicable to S-KCOTs, with focal NCAM reactivity occurring in 66.66% of cases.ConclusionsAberrant NCAM expression, in KCOTs but especially in S-KCOTs, together with its immunomorphological location, suggests that this adhesion molecule and signaling receptor plays a role in the pathogenesis of KCOTs, with a probable impact on lesional recurrence.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13005-015-0060-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Keratin-producing odontogenic cysts (KPOCs) form a heterogeneous group of cystic lesions that are often aggressive in character, with high rates of recurrence and multifocality [1]
neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression was absent in all 12 odontogenic cysts (OOCs) cases, with the epithelial lining of the cysts entirely negative for CD56
Focal NCAM reactivity was observed at the epithelial level in 16 of 46 keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) cases (36.95%)
Summary
Keratin-producing odontogenic cysts (KPOCs) form a heterogeneous group of cystic lesions that are often aggressive in character, with high rates of recurrence and multifocality [1]. The lesional spectrum of KPOCs includes odontogenic keratocysts, that according to last World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines [2] are referred to as keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs), in accordance with the fact that KCOTs are true tumoral growths. Effective management of these cystic lesions is subject to frequent discussion [3] and malignant transformation is possible, albeit very rare [4]. The aim of the present study was to assess the immunohistochemical expression of NCAM in a series of keratin-producing odontogenic cysts (KPOCs), and to evaluate the possible significance of adhesion molecule reactivity in this heterogeneous group of odontogenic cysts
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