Endoglin Expression as a Measure of Microvessel Density in Oral Head and Neck Cancer by Immunohistochemical Study.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Tumor growth is limited by the balance between the need for oxygen and nutrients and diffusion of these substances from vessels around tumors. Therefore, angiogenesis, development of new blood vessels from previous blood vessels, is necessary for tumor growth and metastasis. This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the angiogenesis in oral cancer by assessing microvessel density (MVD) using Endoglin (CD105). This work also correlated the expressions of marker with histopathological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Material and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining with Streptavidin peroxidase was used to analyze the CD105 expression in 25 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Results: All studied cases showed positive of CD105 immunoreactivity. The study revealed a highly significant increase of CD105-MVD in poorly differentiated OSSC than well differentiated OSCC. Conclusion: Increased expression of CD 105 in high grade tumors suggests that Endoglin is likely to contribute significantly to resistance in response to therapy.