[Immunohistochemical study of sialyl Lewis(a) antigen in oral squamous cell carcinoma: the association of sialyl Lewis(a) expression with local lymph metastasis].

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to screen sialyl Lewis(a) (sLe(a)) in the tumors of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to explore the association of sialyl Lewis(a) expression with local lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

Specimen from 38 patients with primary OSCC were obtained and analyzed by immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

The expression of sLe(a) protein, but not E-selectin, of OSCCs significantly correlated to the local lymph node metastasis. sLe(a) was expressed in 79% (15/19) of the metastatic cases compared with 21% (4/19) of the non-metastasis ones, indicated the association of sLe(a) expression with the local lymph involvement.

CONCLUSION

High expression of sLe(a) in OSCC may be related to the metastasis of cervical lymph nodes and it seems useful in predicting poor prognosis in OSCC.