Alteration of integrin expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the intensity of expression of beta(1), alph a(2), alpha(3), alpha(5), alpha(6) integrin subunits in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as opposed to normal oral epithelium, and the intensity of expression and distribution pattern of the above subunits in relation to tu mour differentiation grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cryostat sections of 25 cases of oral SCC and 15 cas es of normal oral epithelium were studied by immunohistochemistry (APAAP me thod), RESULTS: The intensity of expression of beta(1), alpha(2), (Pearson chi(2) P < 0.001) and alpha(6) (Test for Trend P < 0.05) integrin subunits was red uced significantly in SCC compared to normal oral epithelium, Ail integrin subunits were mainly expressed in the peripheral cell layer of tumour islan ds. No correlation was found between the intensity of integrin expression a nd the degree of differentiation in SCC, The same applied to the distributi on pattern of the integrin subunits. By means of cross examination of ail i ntegrins, the loss of intensity of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin expression was found to have the strongest correlation with oral SCC (Ordered Logistic Reg ression). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced intensity of expression of ail subunits was found in o ral SCC compared to normal epithelium, Further investigation is needed to d etermine whether cu,P, integrin expression can be used as a prognostic eval uator for the behaviour of the disease.