Immunohistochemical Evaluation of E‑ Cadherin in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Cancers arising in the oral cavity are more commonly of squamous cell carcinomas. E‑cadherin is a calcium‑dependant transmembrane glycoprotein of the type‑1 cadherin superfamily is an invasion/tumor suppressor gene, which plays a vital role in epithelial cell–cell adhesion. Epithelial E‑cadherin expression loss increases tumor invasiveness and metastasis. Aim: To determine the expression of E‑cadherin in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: Analysis of E‑cadherin expression in 10 cases of normal mucosa, 15 cases of various grades of OED, 15 cases of OSCC. Statistical Analysis: The data were calculated using Chi‑square test and analysis of variance test (ANOVA). Results: An intragroup comparison of staining intensity and staining location for OED showed a highly significant difference between mild and moderate grade (P < 0.001). A significant difference of staining intensity was noted among well and moderately differentiated grades, and well and poorly differentiated grades of OSCC. A comparison of staining location among well and poorly differentiated grades of OSCC was found to be significant. Conclusion: Expression loss is observed as the severity of the lesion progresses in both OSCC and OED. The increased loss of expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma poorer the prognosis.