Clinicopathologic analysis and syndecan-1 and Ki-67 expression in calcifying cystic odontogenic tumors, dentinogenic ghost cell tumor, and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

Benign and malignant tumor cells can express altered adhesion properties, and these features can be associated with their proliferative and invasive characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate syndecan-1 and Ki-67 expression in ghost cell-containing odontogenic tumors.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical data were retrieved from laboratory records, and hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides and sections, labeled with monoclonal antibodies anti-syndecan-1 and anti-Ki-67 using the immunoperoxidase technique, were evaluated.

RESULTS

Included were 21 central calcifying cystic odontogenic tumors (CCOTs) (4 associated with odontoma), 2 peripheral CCOTs, 1 dentinogenic ghost cell tumor, and 1 ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC). Syndecan-1 was mainly expressed in cells resembling stellate reticulum and in stromal cells from the fibrous capsule. The mean Ki-67 labeling index was 4.1% (49.3% for GCOC), but it was not associated with syndecan-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Syndecan-1 is variably expressed in cells resembling the stellate reticulum, stromal cells, and basal cells and might be associated with the biology of these tumors.