Immunohistochemical evaluation of myofibroblasts in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

AIM

The aim of the study is to evaluate the presence of myofibroblasts quantitatively in oral epithelial dysplasia, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks were retrieved from the institutional archives. The sample size is 35 and included 15 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia ( = 15), 15 cases of squamous cell carcinoma ( = 15) and 5 cases of normal oral mucosa which served as the control ( = 5). Histologic sections were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using alpha-smooth muscle actin, and the mean number of myofibroblasts was evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no myofibroblasts in the stroma of normal oral mucosa and oral epithelial dysplasia. Whereas all cases of OSCC showed myofibroblasts (mean ± standard deviation: 21.49 ± 9.76). This difference of myofibroblasts between OSCC and oral epithelial dysplasia was statistically significant with a < 0.05. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean number of Myofibroblasts(MF) between 3 histologic grades of OSCC.

CONCLUSION

The presence of myofibroblasts in the stroma of OSCC and their absence in normal oral mucosa and epithelial dysplasia reveals that these cells may play a role in cancer cell invasion and progression so the treatment strategies targeting the myofibroblasts and their by products may be beneficial in OSCC patients.