BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Survivin can block the cell apoptosis through inhibiting the functions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-7, and selectively overexpresses in common human cancers. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Survivin on tumorigenesis and development of oral cancer and its correlation to angiogenesis.

METHODS

The expression of Survivin in 8 specimens of normal oral mucosa, 14 specimens of dysplastic leukoplakia and 47 specimens of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the expression of CD34 in the 47 specimens of OSCC was detected by SP immunohistochemistry. Microvessel density (MVD) was also assessed. The correlations of Survivin expression to MVD and clinicopathologic features of the OSCC patients were analyzed.

RESULT

The positive rates of Survivin were 0% in normal oral mucosa, 14.24% in dysplastic leukoplakia, and 55.32% in OSCC. Survivin expression was significantly stronger in OSCC than in normal oral mucosa and dysplastic leukoplakia (P < 0.05), while there was no difference between the last 2 groups (P > 0.05). Survivin expression was significantly stronger in moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC than in well differentiated OSCC (P < 0.05); the positive rate of Survivin was significantly higher in OSCC with lymph node metastasis than in OSCC without lymph node metastasis(71.43% vs. 38.89%, P < 0.05). In OSCC, MVD was increased (25.87 +/- 12.10, 28.70 +/- 7.69, 35.42 +/- 10.09, 41.13 +/- 9.62, respectively) along with the strengthened Survivin expression (-, +, 2+, 3+) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Survivin expression is up-regulated in OSCC, and closely related with tumor cell differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and MVD; it may play an important role in tumorigenesis and development of OSCC.