Myofibroblasts as important diagnostic and prognostic indicators of oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study in normal oral mucosa, epithelial dysplasia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cancer invasion is a critical step for tumor growth and its progression. The focus on epithelial changes is shifting to increasing recognition that the microenvironment makes significant contributions to tumor progression. Stromal myofibroblasts play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis due to its ability to modify the extracellular matrix. Based on this literary evidence, we carried out an immunohistochemical study to observe the expression of myofibroblasts in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate, compare, and correlate the presence of myofibroblasts in normal oral mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia, and OSCC and to observe different patterns of myofibroblast arrangement using alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as a marker, Thus assisting in early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of oral carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six cases including 12 cases of OSCC, 12 cases of epithelial dysplasia, and 12 cases of normal oral mucosa were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to confirm the diagnosis and immunohistochemically using α-SMA antibody. The slides were evaluated for positivity and intensity of staining. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The result was subjected to statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: α-SMA expression in the stroma of squamous cell carcinoma was greater than its expression in epithelial dysplasia and normal oral mucosa.

An immunohistochemical analysis for evaluating the diagnostic role of myofibroblasts in oral squamous cell carcinoma using α-smooth muscle actin antibody

“…Since myofibroblasts are cancer-induced host cells, numerous studies have demonstrated the significance of stromal components in tumor genesis, growth, invasion, and aggressiveness. [ 20 21 22 ] In a similar study carried out by Shete et al .,[ 23 ] authors have reported significantly higher expression of myofibroblasts in patients with carcinoma in comparison with healthy controls. They concluded that genetically altered epithelium (malignant epithelium) might have an inductive impact on the adjacent stroma to produce myofibroblasts.…”

Establishment of the role of myofibroblasts in invasive process of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study

“…In a recent study conducted by Shete MV et al . [ 17 ] in 2020, authors tried to relate the role of myofibroblasts in oral premalignant disorders, OSCC cases and healthy controls. They concluded that a-SMA expression in the mesenchyme component of OSCC patients was significantly enhanced in comparison to its expression in epithelial dysplasia and normal oral mucosa.…”

Evaluation of MicroRNA as Minimal Residual Disease in Leukemia: Diagnostic and Prognostic Approach: A Review

“…In patients with leukaemia, increased expression of miR-200c/141 and miR-181a/181b through down regulation of TGFB signalling pathway is clearly related to increased WBC count and poorer prognosis ( 19 , 25 , 26 ). In patients with leukaemia, clonal arrest of B cells occurs in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, associated with clonal proliferation of B cells.…”