Immuno-Histochemical Analysis of PDGFRβ in OSCC: Clinical Significance and Prospects for Targeted Therapy

The most prominent and key cells in cancer development are fibroblasts, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts. Limited data available on Head and Neck Cancer showed the presence of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta as the most prevalent marker. Furthermore, therapies can be targeted against this receptor for the treatment of cancer. Objectives: To evaluate the expression of Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta as a specific marker of cancer-associated fibroblasts in different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma through immunohistochemistry. Methods: This descriptive study included 51 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta expression was assessed based on the extent and intensity of immune-labelling in a tumor. SPSS was used to determine the association between the grade of tumor and Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta expression. Results: Mean age was found as 53.65 + 17.15 years and there were 30 (58.8%) male and 21 (41.2%) female. The most commonly affected sites were glottis and supra-glottis areas accounting for 18.9% of total cases followed by the tongue which accounts for 13.2% of cases. The majority of the patients 34 (66.7%) patients had an intermediate grade of squamous cell carcinoma. In most cases, the degree of staining was strongest, with intermediate-grade tumors exhibiting the highest platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta staining. Conclusions: It was concluded that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta emerges as a promising tumor marker in head and