Comparative E-Cadherin Digital Expression Analysis in HPV and non-HPV Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Abstract

Background/Aim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) demonstrates aggressive biological behavior in subgroups of patients with specific molecular characteristics. Concerning metastatic potential, disruption of cell to cell adhesion is a critical event in epithelial malignancies including OSCC. Our aim was to investigate the role of E-Cadherin expression in OSCC patients as a valuable protein marker. Materials and Methods: Fifty (n=50) tissue sections derived from primary OSCCs were analyzed by implementing an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay based on a proper anti-E-cadherin antibody. Digital image analysis was also implemented for an objective evaluation of the corresponding protein expression levels. Results: E-cadherin altered expression (low to negative) was observed in 34/50 (68%) cases, whereas the rest (16/50-32%) demonstrated normal (high to moderate) expression. E-Cadherin abnormal expressionwas associated with the stage of the examined malignancies (p=0.023), whereas no significant correlations with grade, gender, smoking status or human papilloma virus (HPV) history were observed. Conclusion: E-Cadherin down regulation is frequently observed in OSCC and is correlated to a progressively aggressive phenotype of the malignancy in the corresponding patients (advanced stage), but it seems that the impact of HPV persistent infection on these patients is not a critical parameter.