Immunohistochemical Expression of Basement Membrane Laminin in Histological Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Semiquantitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy characterized by varying histological grades. Basement membrane laminin expression plays a crucial role in tumor invasion and progression. This study aimed to assess the immunohistochemical expression of basement membrane laminin in different histological grades of OSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Archival tissue samples of OSCC from 60 patients were categorized into well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated grades. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-laminin antibodies, and staining intensity was semiquantitatively analyzed using a scoring system.

RESULTS

The immunohistochemical analysis revealed varying levels of laminin expression across different histological grades of OSCC. Well-differentiated tumors showed an average staining intensity score of 7.2 (SD ± 1.5), moderately differentiated tumors had a score of 5.8 (SD ± 1.2), and poorly differentiated tumors exhibited a score of 4.3 (SD ± 0.9). Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference in laminin expression between histological grades ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate a progressive decrease in basement membrane laminin expression with an increasing histological grade of OSCC. This suggests that laminin may be a potential biomarker for assessing tumor aggressiveness and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.