OP052: EMMPRIN expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Purposes Our aim was to evaluate the expression of the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). We examined their utility as prognostic marker by relating to clinicopathological characteristics and the clinical outcome. Materials and methods Using tissue microarray technology we analysed 77 primary OSCC and examined immunohistochemical expression of EMMPRIN protein. Multivariate analysis was conducted to examine their role in survival. Results EMMPRIN overexpression was observed in 56 cases (72.7%) with both membrane and cytoplasmic expression in 49 (63.6%). No significant relationships were found between clinicopathologic factors and this protein except for histological grade. Moderate or poorly differentiated tumours showed overexpression of this protein more frequently then well differentiated tumours ( p = 0.002). In univariate analysis, T stage ( p p = 0.001), tumour stage ( p p = 0.017), and EMMPRIN expression ( p = 0.011), were statistically correlated to overall survival (OS). The same was observed with reference to disease-free survival (DFS) for gender ( p = 0.006), T stage ( p = 0.003), N status ( p = 0.002), tumour stage ( p = 0.003), and surgical margins ( p = 0.004). In the multivariate analysis for OS we found an adverse independent prognostic value for EMMPRIN overexpression ( p = 0.007) and for advanced tumour stage ( p = 0.001). For DFS, only advanced tumour stage ( p = 0.004), presented adverse independent prognostic value. Conclusion EMMPRIN protein is overexpressed in more than two thirds of the cases of OSCC and is an indicator of lower overall survival for these patients. The independent value of EMMPRIN overexpression in overall survival of OSCC suggests that this marker may serve as reliable biological marker to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy. Moreover the high expression of this marker could be regarded as potential therapeutic target in OSCC.