Expression of CD44 and Ki-67 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives: The present study was done to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD44 and Ki-67 in cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: A Hospital based observational study was conducted at the Department of pathology, in a tertiary teaching hospital in western Uttar Pradesh. The study included specimens of oral lesions undergone incisional biopsies and/or radical complete surgical resection diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Specimens were grossed, processed, paraffin embedded, appropriate sections were taken and Haematoxylin and eosin stained, then examined under microscope. Immunohistochemical markers- CD44 and Ki-67 were applied.Results: Most common sites were tongue (40.0%) and buccal mucosa (35.0%). The correlation of CD44 and Ki-67 score with histological grades in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma were significant in all three grades i.e., grade1, grade 2 and grade 3.Conclusion: The immunoexpression of CD44 may have prognostic significance in determining the tumour’s stage, grade, degree of invasiveness, and likelihood of metastasis. Ki-67 is a simple to use indicator of cell proliferation whose expression is positively correlated with the development of illness. As a result, it is a marker of carcinogenesis and malignant transformation in oral premalignant lesions. IHC methods may be costly and time-consuming, but their evaluation could be utilised to guide treatment choices for individuals with OSCC.