Prognostic significance of syndecan 1 (CD 138) in oral mucosal dysplasia

Abstract

138) IN ORAL MUCOSAL DYSPLASIA. N. Narayana, M. Fornatora, R. Reich, P.D. Freedman, Oral Pathology Lab Inc, Flushing, NY, and Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, Pa. The microscopic grading of dysplasia has remained subjective, with poor intrarater and interexaminer reliability. The need for an objective marker to help standardize the grading of dysplasia cannot be overemphasized. Syndecan 1 (S1), originally thought to be a cell surface receptor assisting in cell surface interaction and differentiation, has been extensively studied. S1 expression has been related to the level of differentiation of epithelial cells, with positive expression associated with favorable prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A pilot study was undertaken to determine the prognostic significance of S1 in oral mucosal dysplasia. Methods. Five patients (mean patient age [MPI], 71.8 years) with epithelial dysplasia that recurred as SCC (MPI, 76.6 years) and 4 patients (MPA, 73.5 years) with mild/moderate epithelial dysplasia recurring as severe dysplasia (MPI, 78.5 years) were included in the study. The control groups for the staining pattern and intensity of S1 contained 2 patients each (MPI, 64 years) with normal mucosa and poorly differentiated SCC (MPI, 73.5 years). Immunohistochemical staining for S1 (Clone B-B4; Serotec, Raleigh, NC) was performed on formalin-fixed tissue. Results. The staining of normal mucosa in the present study was similar to that reported in the literature, with increasing intensity from basal cells to spinous cells and no staining of the keratin layer. Poorly differentiated SCC also exhibited epithelial cell cytoplasmic and cell membrane staining. This pilot study revealed no appreciable difference in the pattern and intensity of S1 staining of basal and spinous cells among normal mucosa, varied dysplasias, and SCC. We expected an altered pattern of S1 staining, which could not be demonstrated, because of the maturational abnormalities in dysplastic epithelium,. In view of these results, it can be concluded that S1 does not seem to have prognostic significance in the grading of oral mucosal dysplasia.