Immunolocalization of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction:Cancers are complex tissues composed of multiple distinct cell types that participate in heterotypic interactions with one another. Physiologically cell-to-cell contacts formed by dense populations of normal cells operate to suppress further cell proliferation.Objectives:The objective of the study is to evaluate and compare the immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to hypothesize their role in the progression in varying grades of these lesions.Materials and Methods:A total of 60 samples comprising of 30 cases each of OED and OSCC. Three micrometers thin sections were taken and subjected for hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical procedure. The sections were incubated with monoclonal anti-EpCAM anti-MMP-9 antibody. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19.Results:The results of the study show EpCAM immunoexpression decreased in OSCC when compared to OED. MMP-9 immunoexpression increased in OSCC when compared to OED (statistically significant, P <= 0.05).Conclusion:Correlation between EpCAM and MMP-9 may help to unravel the signaling cascades involved in the carcinomatous changes, tumor cell invasion, and progression of OSCCs.