[OA-01] A study of type VII collagen expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma using immunohistochemical staining

Abdolshukor Kariya1, Thirayost Nimmanon2, Sopee Poomsawat3 and Sirima Sanguansin3

  1. Division of Anatomical Pathology, Army Institute of Pathology, Bangkok, Thailand
  2. Department of Pathology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
  3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Facolty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

 

Type VII collagen is a main component of anchoring fibrils, providing stability to the dermal-epidermal adhesion. Its reduction or absence has been associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study aimed to evaluate type VII collagen expression in oral SCC compared to normal oral mucosa and its relationship with cancer stages. The immunohistochemical study for type VII collagen was performed in 60 cases of oral SCC and 10 cases of normal oral mucosa. The staining intensity and extension were evaluated by two pathologists. Total scores were calcolated. The statistical analysis was performed using a Mann-Whitney U test. Oral SCC had a median total score of 0, compared to 7.5 in normal oral mucosa (p = 0.001). Amongst the oral SCC cases, the expression was shown to be decreased in cases at the advanced stages (WHO stages 3 – 4) when compared to those at earlier stages (WHO stages 1 – 2) (p = 0.030). In conclusion, type VII collagen has a high potential for becoming a usefol immunohistochemical marker that helps to distinguish oral SCC from its normal tissue counterpart and predict aggressiveness of the tumour.

Keywords: immunohistochemical staining; oral squamous cell carcinoma; type VII collagen